Kofi Inkoom
Following an impressive season where they clinched the top seed in the West and made it to the conference semifinals, the Oklahoma City Thunder are now in a position to address their biggest weakness by adding another big man in free agency.
Many fans are hoping that Thunder GM Sam Presti will take an aggressive approach this summer to strengthen OKC’s roster. Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has proposed a trade could see the Thunder acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets.
Nets receive : Josh Giddey, Kenrich Williams, Ousmane Dieng, the No. 12 pick, a 2025 first-round pick (lottery-protected via Miami), and a 2028 first-round pick (via Dallas)
OKC receive : Bridges
“All indications coming out of Brooklyn suggest Bridges isn’t available. Trade offers will keep coming, though, at least until the franchise shows any semblance of hope for competing at a high level while the 27-year-old (28 in August) swingman remains in his prime,” Buckley writes.
The Thunder can clear roughly $35 million in cap space, primarily by renouncing the rights to free agent forward Gordon Hayward, to pursue Bridges this summer.
“The asset-rich Thunder should see if an offer like this could pry him loose. He would be an effortless fit on this roster, adding even more length and athleticism to their perimeter collection while also scratching itches for shot-making, scoring, and a pinch of creation. He may not be a true No. 2 co-star for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but between Bridges, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City should have someone capable of rising to that role on any given night…. Williams can capably handle rotation minutes for however long Brooklyn would keep him, but at some point, a win-now club should come calling with a future-focused offer that likely shakes him loose,” Buckley adds.
This trade would allow the Thunder to maximize their salary space before extensions for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams come into effect.
Although the high price of the trade might cause some hesitation, a deeper look suggests the Thunder could gain more than they lose. Bridges is the ultimate 3-and-D player with the ability to play off the catch and challenge defenses in ways that Oklahoma City’s top-five offense has not yet seen.
Bridges, at 27 years old, is notably durable, having not missed a game in the last three years. He was named First-Team All-Defense in 2022. With career averages of 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, Bridges has played for both the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets, and was the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
If the Thunder manage to acquire Bridges this summer, it would significantly boost their chances of reclaiming the top spot in the West once again and potentially lead them back to the the NBA finals for the first time since 2012.
Away from the trade proposal, even though the Thunder are interested in acquiring Nicolas Claxton from the Nets and the Knicks’ Isaiah Hartenstein this summer, Keith Smith of Spotrac, in his 2023-24 Financial Reviews, listed a few other options if the Thunder decide to pursue a forward rather than a center. These options include Pascal Siakam, Patrick Williams, OG Anunoby, and Paul George.
Additionally, if Sam Presti prefers a trade, Smith suggests Utah Jazz big man John Collins, who will make $26.6 million in each of the next two seasons and can be acquired via cap space, leaving about $8.5 million left over.
Smith further notes that Collins’ contract will expire before OKC has to start extending contracts to its young players. Additionally, the Thunder are expected to pick up Isaiah Joe’s $2.2 million option for next season, potentially eyeing an extension.
He also anticipates that the team will retain Aaron Wiggins, either by exercising their $2 million option and negotiating an extension or declining it and working out a new contract with him as a restricted free agent.
Meanwhile, Lindy Waters III is considered on the “roster bubble,” and the team’s other free agents are unlikely to return.