Ranking Thunder's Top Trade Targets After 2025 NBA Finals Win vs. Pacers
The Oklahoma City Thunder did it.
They are champions of the NBA world.
While the champagne-soaked celebrations have only started, their front office should already have a new objective in mind: defending their crown.
Running it back with the same core is obviously an option. Before solidifying their status as the Association's top team, they dropped several hints of having reached that level of dominance, winning a franchise-record 68 games and setting the all-time mark for the best point differential.
Having said that, they shouldn't assume that just because they were good enough to claim the title this season that the same will be true next summer. Especially not when their asset collection is rich enough to still add significant, perhaps star-level pieces to this core.
3. Cameron Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
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The Thunder haven't shown much of a willingness to make a major, asset-depleting deal on the trade market. They have, however, been linked to Johnson, who isn't a star but could star in several roles for the Thunder.
Their perimeter attack, for instance, could be a bit more potent. Johnson has shot 39 percent or better from three in five of his six NBA seasons, and his volume has never been higher (7.2 attempts per outing this past season).
They could stand to have more size on the wings, too. Again, he'd be an itch-scratcher. He's a 6'8", 210-pounder who can toggle between the 3 and 4 spots and has even seen a smattering of minutes as a small-ball 5. And while he isn't a lockdown defender by any means, he's fine in a team context, particularly on a squad with this many stoppers.
Since they officially have a championship core in place, they may eschew star pursuits and rather seek out high-end support players. Johnson is one of the best ones around.
2. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
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The Suns swear they aren't interested in a Devin Booker deal. The Thunder shouldn't just accept those words at face value.
For one, Phoenix began to reshape its roster with the reported Kevin Durant trade on Sunday. That could be the start of a busy offseason—and nothing would help the Suns build for the future by acquiring draft assets more than a Booker deal. Plus, even if the Suns would consider letting him go, it does them no good to publicly admit that. They'd gain nothing and lose leverage.
So, yes, it's fair for opposing teams to at least dream about a Booker acquisition regardless what the Suns say. That's triply true for a team with as many trade chips as the Thunder possess. No matter if Phoenix would prioritize young talent or draft picks in a deal, OKC has plenty of both to supply.
It could be willing to fork over a fortune for Booker, too. But if they see him as the ideal co-star for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or fitting into a three-headed monster with him and Jalen Williams, they might be willing to splurge. Booker is on a seven-year run of averaging 25-plus points, and he has historically upped his output in volume and efficiency during the postseason.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
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While momentum appears to be stalling on a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, the Thunder are uniquely positioned to pursue it until the dream is totally dead. What's the worst that can happen? Milwaukee rebuffs the request and Oklahoma City is "stuck" with its young, ascending roster that just hoisted the most coveted piece of team hardware?
The Thunder should capitalize on this position and see whether their plethora of draft picks, a potential centerpiece in Chet Holmgren and additional coveted prospects might pique Milwaukee's interest.
What would the Thunder get in return? One of the best players on the planet. Antetokounmpo is a true once-in-a-generation type of talent. He can dominate the game on both ends (he was Defensive Player of the Year in 2019-20), terrorize opponents in transition and initiate or finish offensive possessions with ease.
Two players averaged 30-plus points this season: Antetokounmpo and Gilgeous-Alexander. They'd immediately become basketball's best duo and perhaps make OKC the overwhelming favorites in next season's title race. Even better, the Thunder are so asset-rich they could still field a rock-solid supporting cast around them. This would be a more aggressive move than we're used to seeing from this front office, but given Antetokounmpo's talent and this roster's readiness, there are reasons for the organization to at least consider departing from its slow-and-steady norm.
