West Notes: Thunder, Offseason, Spurs, Kings

Thunder

The defending Western Conference top playoff seed Thunder boast more trade assets than any other team, according to Bleacher Report, via Ryan Stiles of SI.com.

“With 14 future first-round picks, a plethora of future second-rounders and now salaries such as Kenrich Williams, Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein to toss into deals to push them over the edge financially, it is easy to sell Oklahoma City as the top pick for this category,” Stiles wrote.

“Ideally, the Oklahoma City Thunder wouldn’t need to pull off some blockbuster move as their trio helps pull this ready-made cast to a championship, but it is always great to have the flexibility.”

The Thunder were also one of the few teams that received an “A” offseason grade from ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton.

“With $30 million in cap space to add to a 57-win team, the Thunder started the summer in a favorable position,” Pelton wrote. “Oklahoma City still found a way to beat expectations by adding two defensive standouts who fit the team’s needs. Before using that money, the Thunder flipped Josh Giddey — whose non-shooting proved problematic in the playoffs — for Alex Caruso, an ace defender who’s also a career 38% 3-point shooter.

• Adding Hartenstein was a major boost, too. “Whether starting alongside Chet Holmgren or off the bench, Hartenstein is a top rim protector and offensive rebounder who also can distribute from the high post,” Pelton wrote.
• One hypothetical trade proposal sends Hawks forward Larry Nance Jr. to Oklahoma City, as we relayed here.

Spurs

The Spurs didn’t quite receive an “A” grade, but they did receive an A-minus from Pelton after adding veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes.

“Savvy moves helped San Antonio upgrade for 2024-25 while continuing to stockpile draft picks for the future pursuit of a star to pair with Victor Wembanyama,” Pelton wrote. “Getting a 2031 pick swap with Barnes accomplished both goals, and the Spurs were still able to use cap space to sign Chris Paul to a one-year contract to fill a need at point guard.”

They also set themselves up nicely for the future.

“Long term, San Antonio sending the No. 8 pick to Minnesota for a 2031 first-rounder and 2030 swap rights will be fascinating to watch,” Pelton wrote. “Those picks could be key to a trade but might result in far weaker ones than they gave up.”

• One report said that Giddey and Hawks star Trae Young were both interested in joining the Spurs this offseason. We have that full story here.

Kings

The Kings added guard/forward DeMar DeRozan in a six-team trade and therefore received a “B” offseason grade from Pelton.

“The Kings bet on talent over fit in a sign-and-trade deal for DeRozan. He’s far more valuable at this stage of his career than Harrison Barnes, sent out in the trade, and comes on a team-friendly contract with just $58 million guaranteed,” Pelton wrote. “Yet newly extended coach Mike Brown must figure out how to manage adding another player who is most effective with the ball in his hands alongside De’Aaron Fox and how to get enough perimeter defense and spacing in the starting five.”

• Along with that, of course, the Kings signed their own key contributor. “Before free agency started, Sacramento did well to bring back Sixth Man Award runner-up Malik Monk on the largest possible deal using early Bird rights (four years, $78 million),” Pelton added.
• One move the Kings did not make but almost did? Trading for Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, as we relayed here. Per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Sacramento took part in “significant talks” with Utah.