More than a quarter into the 2023-24 regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the best teams in the league.
OKC ranks in the top seven in net rating, offensive rating and defensive rating. The Thunder are in second place in the Western Conference standings with a 16-8 record.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be one of the best players in the league as he strengthens his MVP case. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are off to successful seasons.
If the Thunder continue to play at the level they’ve shown through two months of the season, they’ll likely be viewed as buyers at the upcoming trade deadline as they’re set to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
One area in need of improvement is rebounding. OKC ranks 29th in rebounding rate at 47.1%. They’re 26th in total rebounds per game at 41.1.
One possible upgrade resides with the lowly Detroit Pistons, who’ve lost an astonishing 23 games in a row. According to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III, the Thunder are one of three teams showing great interest in Isaiah Stewart. The other two are the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.
Stewart has averaged 10.2 points on 45.5% shooting, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 25 games this season. He’s also shooting 36.7% from 3 on 3.6 attempts.
If the Thunder acquire Stewart, it would be a long-term commitment. The 22-year-old is in the final year of his rookie deal and is set to begin a four-year, $60 million extension next season.
It’s unknown what the Pistons would ask for, but the minimum would likely be a bundle of draft picks. They’re likely to finish with top-three lottery odds in the 2024 NBA draft.
If the Celtics and Mavericks are the only two other teams pushing hard for Stewart, the Thunder could easily beat any package of draft compensation they might offer.
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