This Raptors-Thunder trade helps to replace Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol

Oklahoma City Thunder, Sam Presti, NBA Draft
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Why the Trade Works for the Oklahoma City Thunder

The primary objective of the Oklahoma City Thunder for this NBA offseason has been very clear. The team is focused on trading away veteran players in exchange for future NBA Draft selections in order to rebuild the team with intriguing prospects around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Given the stage of his career, Al Horford is clearly best suited playing for a team that contend— or at least be highly competitive. The Toronto Raptors may not be an elite team, but having Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry keeps them competitive in the Eastern Conference.

The Thunder do not benefit from having Horford potentially impact the game positively enough to win games during the 2020-21 NBA season. With Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, and Evan Mobley among others in the 2021 NBA Draft, being in position to add a premier talent is the focus.

Horford is under contract for the next three NBA seasons and moving on from him in exchange for a much smaller expiring deal is a considerable plus for the organization.

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Grant Afseth

Grant Afseth

Grant Afseth is an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network and Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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