The New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder have a lot in common. They’re both small-market teams, and they both have a whole lot of NBA Draft capital.
However, there’s one key difference between these clubs. The Oklahoma City Thunder are squarely focused on the future. They’re synonymous with the term “tanking”. The Pelicans, on the other hand, are quite obviously ready to win.
Why else would they have acquired CJ McCollum at this year’s trade deadline? Although this group was recently eliminated from the playoffs, their outlook for next year is bright.
As currently constructed, they’ll be poised for a playoff run if superstar Zion Williamson is healthy.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Intriguing Blockbuster Trades We’d Like To See This Offseason
The Thunder are unlikely to whiff the postseason. They are not ready. Some have even speculated that they could look to move their best player in pursuit of the tank. It would be a radical move. Somehow, Sam Presti doesn’t strike us as a conservative decision-maker.
If the Thunder really would consider cutting bait with SGA, here’s a blockbuster proposal that lands him in the Big Easy.