Proposed trade to get some real hustle for the Atlanta Hawks

The OKC Thunder are in a position to benefit teams like the Atlanta Hawks

With $30.0 million in cap space for the upcoming offseason, the OKC Thunder is in a tremendous position to continue to take on contracts for assets. They already have pick No. 2 in the 2022 NBA draft but by taking on Gallinari’s contract they can move up on their other pick.

They would receive the Trail Blazers’ first-round pick, which is No. 7 in the draft. While the Thunder have a heap of first-round draft assets, a lot of them are going to be mid-to-late in the first round. Getting two top-seven picks in a draft is gold for a rebuilding franchise.

While they have the talents of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey in the backcourt, the Thunder still would love to add two top-tier front-court talents to this young pair.  This core would then have years to develop together and when they make it back into the playoffs they would be at the top of the standings, not a meek eight-seeded entry.

This will probably be one of the last times that teams around the NBA will have to make a move like this with the Thunder for a while. The Hawks need to take advantage of this moment in time to help reshape their roster.