A massive Russell Westbrook trade that could save the Lakers’ offseason

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder would make the deal

The Oklahoma City Thunder, since moving on from the likes of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, haven’t really been in the winning games business but more so the acquiring of assets business, and business is booming.

The Thunder have more first-round picks over the next number of years than they know what to do with them.

Why not actually use one of them on a young talented player who is going to be significantly better than the player you draft with a late 1st round pick?

The Thunder receive Talen Horton-Tucker, an excellent young prospect who is very well thought of in the Lakers organization as a player who has a bright future.

He has shown a lot at such a young age and has the potential to be a very good player in this league someday. However, for the Los Angeles Lakers, he does not fit their win-now timeline, they require a player who can contribute immediately, who can slide into the starting line up and who can be impactful and consistent on a game-to-game basis.

The Thunder get a player in Talen Horton-Tucker who fits their young squad and the timeline in which they are on with the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Lu Dort.

THT has the potential to be something special, he flashes it every so often. Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder have shown a great track record of developing young talent and allowing them to reach their true potential. Talen Horton-Tucker could be part of the next wave of Thunder players to reach that potential.

The Phoenix Suns pick which is more than likely going to be in the late twenties or the 30th overall pick is more than worth parting with for a chance at a talent of THT’s caliber.

The Thunder have sufficient cap space to absorb THT’s contract and not take any players back in return.