Thunder-Bucks trade pitch sends $175 million two-time MVP, 10-time All-Star to Oklahoma City

Thunder-Bucks trade pitch sends $175 million two-time MVP, 10-time All-Star to Oklahoma City originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Oklahoma City Thunder began the Western Conference Finals on a sour note, losing a heartbreaker to the Victor Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs at the Paycom Center on Monday night.

In a game that took two overtimes to decide, San Antonio won the execution battle in crunch time and walked away with a 122-115 win. While the series is far from over, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes that if Oklahoma City fails to turn things around, they should swing a blockbuster trade for a Milwaukee Bucks two-time MVP and 10-time All-Star.

“In the event that Oklahoma City gets knocked off this postseason, primarily because of Chet Holmgren, who is due for a huge raise – he’s making $13 million now, and his new salary kicks in at $41 million next season,” Smith said Tuesday. “What if I told you Oklahoma City would be willing to move Holmgren and one of those young guys – whether it’s Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, or someone else? ” “If anybody can afford to give up rotation players, it’s Oklahoma City.

Add in two first-round picks and two second-round picks for Giannis Antetokounmpo – what would you say to that? ” How many opponents would have a realistic shot of containing an Antetokounmpo-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander duo regularly? Antetokounmpo’s freight train-like slashing ability/effortless finishing combined with Gilgeous-Alexander’s mid-range shooting brilliance and clutch late-game playmaking would make for a near-unstoppable tandem in Oklahoma City.