Analyst Suggests OKC Thunder Had Underwhelming NBA Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Feb 8, 2025 10:30 AM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder were not extremely active during the NBA trade deadline, and for good reason.

Oklahoma City currently sits at the top of the Western Conference standings. They have dominated their way through the season behind incredible season from their star duo Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

The two All-Stars have led the way for the Thunder, and Oklahoma City also got Chet Holmgren back from injury on Friday, which was like they traded for another All-Star due to him being out since early November with a hip injury.

Of course, the Thunder did make two small trades during the deadline. They swapped a 2029 second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for a 2030 second rounder and the Thunder also acquired Daniel Theis and a 2031 second-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans. Oklahoma City then waived Theis due to Holmgren’s return and opening a roster spot for them to sign Ajay Mitchell to a standard contract.

With these moves, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes gave the Thunder’s trade deadline a C- grade.

“OKC also landed a deep-bench center in Theis, who would have filled a position of need, but it waived him shortly after the deadline,” Hughes wrote. “With Chet Holmgren's return on the immediate horizon, that decision is easier to understand. The Thunder wind up with a slightly below-average mark because they had the resources to make an upgrade for their championship push but didn't.”

While the Thunder were not extremely active during the deadline, many expected them to make a move to upgrade their roster. Oklahoma City has the most picks of any team through the 2031 season, but general manager Sam Presti elected to add more draft capital instead of using what they had to acquire either another star or solid role player to make a championship push.

Of course, the Thunder have been one of the best teams in basketball this season and they are now an even better team with Holmgren back in the lineup as they look to make a championship run this season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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