Ask around in other NBA front offices, and you’ll be hard pushed to find an executive who wouldn’t want to exchange roles with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team won 57 games in the West and advanced to the conference semifinals, has a legitimate Top 10 player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and will have approximately $30 million to spend in free agency in 2024.
They also have a pair of backup studs, Jalen Williams and center Chet Holmgren.
Oh, and the Thunder have 13 first-round picks available for trade over the following eight drafts. Again, this is an enviable scenario.
While they could make an ambitious free agent move or a huge trade this summer, Bleacher Report predicts a more conservative strategy. If the organization wants to enhance Josh Giddey’s forward spot, they may take a low-risk gamble on a player who may finally be on the rise after a stop-and-start early career, Wizards star Deni Avdija.
Thunder Trade Would Dump Josh Giddey
Grant Hughes of B/R wrote a post titled “1 Trade Idea for Every Team.” “Not in the 2024 NBA Finals,” a Thunder deal that makes the planned swap of Giddey and Avdija, the No. 9 overall choice in the 2020 NBA draft. The whole trade also sends two future selections to the Wizards:
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Deni Avdija
Washington Wizards acquire Josh Giddey, the 12th pick in the 2024 draft, and a 2025 first-round pick (via MIA; top-14 protected).
Here’s the reasoning for the deal, starting with the assumption that Giddey is the weak link in the Thunder lineup:
“Avdija is two years older than Giddey at 23, implying he has significantly less opportunity for development, and much of his play prior to last season displayed some of the same flaws that have plagued Giddey—namely erratic outside shooting and limited self-created offense.
“Avdija changed significantly last season, increasing his three-point hit rate to a tempting 37.4 percent while taking on a larger part of playmaking responsibilities. His averages of 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists were all career highs, and the muscular 6-foot-9 forward performed even better following the All-Star break.”
Deni Avdija Is a Bargain After Big Improvement
Indeed, Avdija’s performances last year came just in time, following three lackluster seasons in which he averaged 8.1 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 31.0% from three. Avdija established himself as a willing and capable defender, but with little offense to offer, he appeared to be destined for the NBA bust bin.
Still, the Wizards signed him to a four-year, $55 million contract before the start of the 2023-24 season.
That was before he showed some life as a shooter and scorer last season, when he made 50.6% of his shots and 37.4% of his three-pointers while averaging 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds. He finished sixth in the NBA’s Most Improved poll and would have been higher if he hadn’t played for the Wizards.
Giddey, of course, still possesses talent and potential. However, his fit with the Thunder, who likely want to run their offense via SGA and Holmgren, is uncertain. He might be better off settling in a position where he can refine his point-forward skills, and Washington fits the description.
However, claiming that Avdija is two first-round picks better than Giddey may be stretching the truth. Yes, the Thunder have more picks than they can utilize, but they are not going to give them away just because they can. A deal sending Giddey and one choice to Washington should suffice.
