{"id":121981,"date":"2025-02-05T02:15:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T07:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=121981"},"modified":"2025-02-05T02:15:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T07:15:01","slug":"thunder-kevin-durant-trade-title-chances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/05\/thunder-kevin-durant-trade-title-chances\/","title":{"rendered":"Thunder Getting In On Kevin Durant Trade Boosts Title Chances"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are only eight players in NBA history who have scored over 30,000 points. With the NBA trade deadline on the horizon, the Phoenix Suns may be prepared to move one of them<\/a>. But amid reports that the title-contender is listening to offers for Kevin Durant<\/a>, there’s at least one team that hasn’t been listed as a potential suitor and should: the Oklahoma City Thunder.<\/p>\n

Thunder Getting In On Kevin Durant Trade Boosts Title Chances<\/h2>\n

A franchise that Durant infamously left when they were at their previous zenith, the Thunder are the real deal.<\/p>\n

For the past two seasons, they’ve managed to have the best West’s record. Myriad factors –their age, their personnel’s relative inexperience, the talent dispersed throughout the conference –contribute to this being quite the accomplishment. However, despite them being taken seriously for the first time since Durant’s departure, it often feels like it’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> or bust.<\/p>\n

In fact, when Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t score at least 25 points, OKC is 69-73 all-time. Over the past three seasons, they’re 20-14, a win percentage (.588) that would have them sixth in the Western Conference standings this season. That being said, as the soon-to-be three-time MVP candidate has averaged at least 30 points per game in each of the past three seasons, it’s not as if he can’t carry the load. It’s just quite the burden.<\/p>\n

If 2022 No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren<\/a> could stay healthy it would help. Yet, he’s averaging 16.5 points per game in his young career, not yet ready to step into the limelight. 2022 No. 12 pick Jalen Williams<\/a> is averaging a career-high 21.1 points per game in 2024-25. However, the number of games where he’s scored under 20 points (18) is too close to the number of games where he’s scored over 20 points (27), underscoring the variance in his performance.<\/p>\n

Durant, who has averaged at least 25 points per game every season since 2008-09, is exactly the type of player that the Thunder needs right now. He’s well aware that it’s Gilgeous-Alexander’s team, so there won’t be any coups or power struggles. He’ll just come in and do his job, taking a lot<\/em> of pressure off of Gilgeous-Alexander at the offensive end.<\/p>\n

The Expendables<\/h3>\n

Where it gets tricky is assessing what would be worthwhile to give up in a trade for the 36-year-old.<\/p>\n

Though they’ve all performed above expectations since entering the league, Lu Dort<\/a>, Aaron Wiggins<\/a>, and Isaiah Joe<\/a> should be considered expendable. Should there be an insistence upon including a star-caliber young player, OKC should be willing to part with Holmgren as well. Though the Gonzaga product has immense potential, he’s only played 92 games since being drafted.<\/p>\n

The best trade sending Durant to the Thunder should only require these four players and a first-round pick or two. It also will require Phoenix and Oklahoma City to work with other teams. At this juncture, the Miami Heat is the most feasible partner, as they’re already working to get Jimmy Butler<\/a> to the Suns.<\/p>\n

Trade Partners<\/em>?<\/h3>\n

It’s worth noting that Phoenix is engaged with Washington on a trade that sends Jonas Valanciunas<\/a> to Phoenix in exchange for Jusuf Nurkic<\/a> and draft capital, according to multiple reports.<\/p>\n

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Not done but possible but would only be tied to a bigger trade. Suns would have to give up a pick on this so it would be part of a bigger deal. Suns not really interested in Jonas. https:\/\/t.co\/l80tVlSRa8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n