Worst Trade Destination No. 2: Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently in the midst of a rebuild. They are not actively trying to upgrade the roster and win games, as they are still stockpiling assets.
From a monetary standpoint, the Thunder are a perfect trade partner for the Brooklyn Nets. They can take on his entire contract, giving the Nets a ton of relief from the luxury tax. Brooklyn would be all for this trade, but it is hard to imagine Oklahoma City would.
While there is no mandate in Oklahoma City, it is hard to imagine Irving reporting to the team. They are about as far away from contending as any team in the NBA and it is hard to imagine Irving being okay playing for a team like that.
He spent plenty of years on bad Cavaliers teams and likely wants to play for a winner now. Unlike the Minnesota Timberwolves, who at least have Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, the Thunder only have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a bonafide building block currently.
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Given where they are in their rebuild, it is hard to envision Irving re-signing there long-term as well. Surrendering assets for someone so far from their timeline seems counteractive to what Sam Prestis is doing in Oklahoma City.
