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Steven Adams for Nicolas Batum? Don’t close out of this page quite yet, Oklahoma City Thunder fans.
Batum, a Charlotte Hornets forward, may have among the most untradeable contracts in the league, but now that he’s on an expiring deal, the Thunder may listen without laughing and hanging up the phone.
In this deal, Oklahoma City gets a first-round pick. It’s one of the few ways I can envision the organization receiving such return for Adams.
The Hornets, in exchange, get a center who will help them be a better team in a season in which they likely want to contend for that seventh or eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
The proposal
Thunder receive: Nicolas Batum, 2021 top-7 protected first-round pick
Hornets receive: Steven Adams
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Why the Thunder say yes
It’s all about that draft pick. Adams isn’t going to fetch a major return from any team, but if Thunder brass is willing to pay Batum $27 million, this trade could earn them a lottery pick.
That, the few hundred thousand dollars in savings, and the increased chance that the Thunder’s own 2021 draft pick is better because Batum isn’t as good as Adams would make this trade interesting for Oklahoma City.
Why the Hornets say yes
The Hornets were a 10th seed in the Eastern Conference this season. This trade would net them a new starter to pair with the draft pick, who will be a starter, and they would still have a ton of salary cap space for free agency.
Maybe, instead of drafting James Wiseman at No. 3, Charlotte goes for Obi Toppin or Deni Avdija and then slots him next to Steven Adams. These additions to the lineup is suddenly a corps that can fight for a playoffs pot in the east.
Maybe the Hornets trade up one pick to ensure they can get LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards, and add a guard and a big to this team. No matter what they do, they will be a better team by flipping Batum for Adams.
Why the Thunder say no
If the Hornets do get into playoffs, they could have a pick around No. 17. This range might not be worth it to ownership to have paid a player $27 million this season.
That’s why the pick is top-7 protected. Charlotte limits the risk of trading a franchise player for what could be one year of Adams, and the Thunder could feel good about their chances of pulling off a pick in the 8-14 range for a salary swap.
The financial situation brought on by the coronavirus may dictate if this would even be considered by OKC brass.
Why the Hornets say no
I touched upon it in that last section — if Charlotte does not make the playoffs, the franchise may have given up a pick as high as No. 8 pick for one season of Adams. That would be impermissible.
Who says no?
Both? Neither? I don’t know. I don’t think either team loves this deal, but I think it’s one that both teams would benefit from.
The Hornets would probably lose a draft pick between 8-20. But they would gain a player who will actually be productive on the court.
The Thunder would add to their collection of other team’s draft picks, but they would be stuck with paying Batum $27 million. I don’t see how they could get rid of that.
With only one more year on his deal, though, Oklahoma City may be best suited to take a breath and take that pick.
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