After a hard-fought Game 7, the Oklahoma City Thunder came up short on their quest for repeat NBA titles, and now there will be an eighth different NBA Champion in as many years.
In 2025, after the Thunder won their championship, it felt like their window to win in the Western Conference was endless, that there wasn’t anything stopping their path to two or three consecutive NBA Finals appearances. That changed this season. The San Antonio Spurs rose quicker than anyone would’ve thought, and Victor Wembanyama presented massive problems for OKC.
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A question coming out of Game 7 is what happens next for OKC, what moves do they make to combat the seemingly insurmountable puzzle that is Victor Wembanyama?
There is one giant swing move Oklahoma City has the resources to make, and that’s trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. This has been a growing theory that many think would be the right move for the Thunder, and that couldn’t be more wrong.
What a trade for Giannis would cost
If the Thunder were to drop everything and trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, it’d cost a heavy price. The package would be centered around Chet Holmgren, who just had an awful Game 7 but remains one of the best two-way players in the sport and is only 24 years old.
A role player would also have to be involved, likely Cason Wallace, who’s already one of the best perimeter-defense guards in the NBA. Lastly, one of the rookies on OKC, likely Thomas Sorber, who was selected 15th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Not only those players, but probably 3-4 first-round picks would have to be involved as well. It’s simply too much to give up, especially with the risk factor of Giannis at this stage of his career.
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Trading for Giannis only creates more risk
When healthy, Giannis Antetokounmpo is probably one of the five best players on the planet. The only issue is that the “when healthy” part has been an issue for years now. In both 2023 and 2024, Giannis missed significant playoff time due to calf and back injuries.
Injuries have especially plagued Giannis this season, resulting in a career-low 36 games played. Both injuries were lower body, with a left knee hyperextension and a right calf strain that was especially aggravating for Antetokounmpo.
Oklahoma City already had a star with injury issues in Jalen Williams; there’s no need to sell a core piece of their championship in Chet Holmgren and one of their valuable role players for an injury-prone star who will turn 32 next season.
The other issue with Giannis on OKC is that he can’t space the floor, and even though Chet Holmgren struggled in this Western Conference Finals, he at least has the potential and skill set to be a floor spacer against the Spurs in the future.
