With the offseason still in full swing, the Oklahoma City Thunder still have a chance to optimize their roster before the new campaign starts. Fortunately, they have Lu Dort and Cason Wallace, two players considered as top trade pieces in the NBA.
The Thunder have been busy shaping their roster for the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season following the 2024 NBA Draft. The team’s core is headlined by MVP runner-up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and former Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, who will be the foundation for OKC’s future. The franchise has also signed three players to two-way contracts, including Ajay Mitchell, Adam Flagler, and Alex Ducas.
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Regarding the team’s pending free agents, the Thunder will need to make decisions on veterans Bismack Biyombo and Mike Muscala, all of whom are unrestricted free agents. Additionally, Keyontae Johnson and Olivier Sarr are restricted free agents.
With the roster moves made during the draft, the Thunder appear to be positioning themselves for a promising 2024-25 campaign. The blend of young talent and veteran leadership will be crucial as the team looks to build upon its recent success and make a push towards the postseason.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Lu Dort and Cason Wallace Among NBA’s Top Trade Pieces
Thanks to a plethora of picks and young talent, the Thunder boast sufficient assets to get the roster they need. According to an article written by Dan Favale for Bleacher Report, the team’s front office can do just that, especially with the option of using either Dort or Wallace as trade pieces for other teams.
“Next year will be Dort’s age-25 season, which seems impossible yet is true all the same. He also happens to be on a ridiculously cheap deal…again. Not only is he owed only $51.9 million over the next three years, but the final season is a team option that affords whichever squad has him further flexibility,” Favale wrote.
“Wallace’s availability is right in line with that of Lu Dort. The Thunder don’t have to make a marquee addition at the moment, but whenever they want to, his inclusion is worth waaaay more than your average first-round pick. And between Dort himself, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, Oklahoma City has more than enough supplemental guards to treat him as nonessential,” he added.
Both Dort and Wallace are competent defenders and can fit in with most teams in the NBA. More importantly, they have affordable contracts, making them ideal trade targets for other franchises. As a result, the Thunder can accumulate more assets for two players with overlapping roles in the team.
It remains to be seen whether OKC will keep the two within the lineup or cash in on them soon. In any case, the Thunder will still win with or without Dort and Wallace in the roster.
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