Another trade, another first-round pick coming Sam Presti’s way.
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Kelly Oubre Jr. to the Golden State Warriors for a first-round pick that is top-20 protected, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. If Golden State ends up in the top 20, it will convert to two second rounders.
Wojnarowski and Anthony Slater, who confirmed the trade, did not specify if any Warriors players would be involved.
As of now, the Thunder’s return for Chris Paul and Abdel Nader has turned into Aleksej Pokusevski, a 2021 first-round Warriors pick, a 2022 first-round Suns pick, James Johnson, Ty Jerome and Jalen Lecque.
Oklahoma City gets off Oubre’s $14.4 million salary. The Warriors used the Andre Iguodala trade exception to complete this deal, so they did not have to send any money back to the Thunder to complete the trade.
Additionally, the Thunder have created a $14.4 million trade exception, according to Bobby Marks. They will be able to use that to match salary in a trade this season.
Sources: The Warriors will only convey that first-round pick next season should they finish 21-to-30 in the final regular season standings. If the Warriors land in the top 20, they’ll send two second-round picks to OKC. https://t.co/ltzvx7cIhQ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 20, 2020
Oubre, 24 years old, is an explosive wing who gets to the rim and dunks with power. He can hit 3s with moderate reliability and has a personality that will add to the culture of Golden State as he helps replace the loss of Klay Thompson, who is believed to have suffered an Achilles injury.
Oubre averaged 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season for the Phoenix Suns.
Oklahoma City now owns three first-round picks next year. The organization has its own, Golden State’s protected pick, the Miami Heat’s unprotected pick and has the right to swap draft picks with the Houston Rockets.
The Warriors’ luxury tax figure may be startling. According to Bobby Marks, Oubre’s salary would increase the tax bill by $68 million put them at a $134 million figure in luxury taxes alone.
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