Does this trade make sense for the Oklahoma City Thunder?
Using salary cap space, an unproven player in Darius Bazley, and a second-round pick in order to land Kristaps Porzigis is something the Oklahoma City Thunder should do immediately if they are given the opportunity to do so.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: The latest intel on a possible Kristaps Porzingis offseason trade
The Thunder aren’t actively seeking to make big signings in NBA free agency and will need to show Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at some point that winning on his schedule is important to them. With a chance to use their first-round pick on a backcourt partner or wing, the Thunder would have quite the offseason haul on their hands by adding Kristaps Porzingis into the mix.
The spacing that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would have with Kristaps Porzingis spotting up and popping after ball screens would undoubtedly help to take his game to the next level. That’s valuable in itself for the Thunder, especially when considering the massive leap in finishing efficiency that Luka Doncic experienced with Porzingis at the five spot.
The Thunder would be wise to buy-low on players like Kristaps Porzingis when the opportunity to do so presents itself. There are real limitations to his game between his lost cause of a post-up presence and inability to guard out in space or protect the rim on defense. However, the shooting value is real.
