Why This Trade Would Make Sense For The Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder made a run to the postseason a year ago on the back of an NBA All-Star season by Chris Paul. They sent him away knowing that he was not part of the future and here is a chance to find that future point guard. The addition of White can solidify the backcourt for a team that needs it. 

The Thunder will have some moves to make in the offseason but they will all be focused on building around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — or at least they should be. He is an elite shooting guard that is going to be around for awhile.

Having a scoring threat like Coby White as the backcourt partner for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be an intriguing possibility for the Thunder, or he could be a lead scorer for Oklahoma City’s bench unit. He would have freedom to play his game in ways he hasn’t necessarily benefitted from with the Bulls to start his NBA career.

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The Thunder have found their centerpiece player and now it is about putting the right pieces around him. White has shown an ability to score at all three levels and pass the ball effectively. If he is available on the market, Oklahoma City should certainly take a flier on him. 

The return would not be astronomical and it could be a big-reward type of move. Presti has pushed a lot of buttons to this point and is not close to being done rebuilding this team.