3 trades for Zion Williamson that would actually work before NBA Draft
No. 2 trade for Zion Williamson: Thunder for Josh Giddey and draft picks
OKC has the unique privilege of owning every draft pick (roughly) over the next six years. The Thunder can afford to trade an exorbitant number of picks to acquire Williamson while still maintaining more than enough picks to swing another major trade or two if the front office sees fit.
And hey, this is why Sam Presti and the front office acquired all these picks. The Thunder cannot feasibly use all of them. At some point, the rebuild shifts into the next gear and OKC starts looking to contend. The Thunder were one win away from the playoffs last season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander snuck onto a few MVP ballots. Now is the time to start thinking about the present.
There is obvious risk tied to Zion’s injury history and general apathy for the small-market city of New Orleans, but the Thunder have a prime opportunity here to acquire a 22-year-old superstar talent under team control for the next five years. OKC has cap flexibility, a roster good enough to win now, and Williamson is still young enough to fit the timeline.
Breaking up the backcourt of Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be tough to stomach for OKC fans, but Williamson’s first breathtaking foray down the lane should make them forget all about the skillful Aussie. Williamson can put pressure on the rim and wreak havoc in the middle of the floor. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best rim-scoring guards in the NBA and a maestro of late-clock shot-making.
OKC could conceivably walk away from this trade with two MVP candidates. Williamson has to stay healthy enough to one day compete for MVP, but he’s that caliber of player. So is Gilgeous-Alexander.
Plus the Thunder have Jalen Williams, the reigning Rookie of the Year runner-up, and Chet Holmgren, the reigning No. 2 overall pick, to round out their young core. Both are versatile offensive players. Holmgren has Defensive Player of the Year potential down the road. This OKC team would be frightening to behold at full strength.
For the Pelicans, it’s a nice soft reset with even more draft picks for GM David Griffin, who shares Sam Presti’s affinity for future investments. Brandon Ingram and Josh Giddey form a fascinating duo of tall playmakers to spearhead the offense; Giddey already proved he can dominate the play-in tournament against the Pelicans. They wouldn’t mind him switching sides. As for Dort, his on-ball defense combined with Herb Jones’ off-ball defense would make the Pelicans very hard to score on.