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After a 13-year drought, the Oklahoma City Thunder have punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
OKC's return to the championship round comes with a completely new variation of the team. Through the departures of stars like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Chris Paul, general manager Sam Presti acquired a mind-boggling amount of draft picks to go along with talented players like Danilo Gallinari and, of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Even with those assets, though, the Thunder only landed one pick in the top five of the NBA Draft, which allowed the team to select Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 overall pick in 2022.
After reaching the postseason in 2019-20, OKC went 22-50 and 24-58 before returning to the postseason. The Thunder's 2021 tanking efforts only awarded the team the No. 6 overall pick, which Presti and company used to select Josh Giddey.
While Giddey himself hasn't contributed to the Thunder reaching the NBA Finals this season, the Australian guard was valuable enough to return Alex Caruso in a trade with the Chicago Bulls. Following Giddey being benched by Mark Daigneault in last year's playoffs, Caruso has been instrumental in OKC's playoff run this time around.
The team's second All-Star alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, was selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 draft after rising through the pre-draft process following a strong campaign at Santa Clara.
Oklahoma City's success without repeatedly picking at the top of the draft shows that franchises can be successful without winning the lottery if their front office is saavy on the trade market, the draft and free agency.
This year, teams like the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, who didn't get top-four picks despite disappointing seasons, can hold out hope that their team can still land an impactful player or an important trade piece in their current spots.
While not even team will be able to build a 68-win team with an MVP leading the way, the Thunder's process shows that it is possible for small-market teams can win without having the top pick.
More must-reads:
- Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon
- Nick Saban responds to speculation about coaching return amid NFL rumors
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
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Tragedy strikes as promising 20-year-old hockey forward passes away
The hockey community as a whole is in shock as Christophe Babin, a 20-year-old forward from Quebec, has tragically passed away, leaving friends, family, and teammates devastated. Babin, who had only just begun his career in the Ligue nationale de hockey balle (LNHB), was playing his first season with Assurancia Venne et fille de Joliette before this heartbreaking news. The team confirmed his passing in an emotional statement, saying: "Our organization is mourning one of its members. We are deeply saddened to learn of the far-too-early passing of Christophe Babin, one of our promising young players but, more importantly, a young man loved by everyone. All our thoughts are with his loved ones and family. Watch over us, Babs." The official announcement can be seen on the Assurancia Joliette Facebook page via this post. A promising young career cut short, leaving the hockey world heartbroken Before joining the LNHB, Babin had already made his mark on the ice with the Prédateurs de Joliette (QJHL), where he had back-to-back strong seasons. He collected 34 points in 40 games one year, followed by 30 points in 44 games the next, proving himself as a productive and determined player. Just one week ago, Babin made his LNHB debut on July 18, suiting up for Joliette against Granby. Now, the same teammates who celebrated his first game are left grieving his sudden loss. "It's heartbreaking Last week, he was playing his first game, and today we're saying goodbye," shared one teammate on social media, capturing the devastation felt throughout the community. I can't help but feel shaken by news like this, as it reminds everyone how fragile life truly is.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon
After years of speculation and nothing materializing, the New York Yankees have at last acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz are headed to the Mile High City in return. They were the number eight and 21st-ranked prospects in the Yankees' farm system, per MLB.com. Given the Yankees' struggles at the third-base position over the last few years, bringing in a guy who was an All-Star in 2024 and will be much more reliable is a win. Former MLB player and current analyst Cameron Maybin certainly believes that, as he was pushing the McMahon-to-New York narrative over the last week and feels it could be a great fit for both sides. "The third baseman they need plays in Colorado...I'm telling you! Defensively more than adequate and Taylor made for the ballpark offensively," Maybin wrote on social media. Maybin went on to mention how McMahon will feel reinvigorated joining a World Series contender like the Yankees after the last six-and-a-half years of being at the bottom in Colorado. The 30-year-old is not having his best season, slugging 16 home runs and 35 RBI with a .217 average through 100 games with the Rockies, per MLB.com stats. However, he's consistently been a 20-plus home run hitter who drives in runs at a strong rate and has a large sample size of doing so. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (.252 average, 36 HRs, 86 RBI) has seemed to be No. 1 target for most teams, and for good reason, but given the Yankees' current situation and weaknesses, McMahon made more sense. Not only does he play a better third base, which New York desperately needs, but he has another two years of control after 2025, whereas Suarez would have been a rental. The acquisition cost was nothing crazy, and adding a lefty bat with some power to potentially take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium is always a bonus. Some may not be satisfied until they see McMahon positively impacting the New York Yankees, but rest assured, this is a very solid pickup.
Five potential landing spots for Christian Wilkins after stunning Raiders release
The Las Vegas Raiders just stunned the league by releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins after only one year with the team. After signing a four-year, $110 million contract, he struggled with injuries in 2024. This was supposed to be a big bounce-back year for Wilkins, but after a dispute between the two sides in regard to how to handle his foot injury, the team decided it was best to part ways. Now, a premier interior disruptor is suddenly available. Assuming his medicals get checked out soon, there should be a lot of interest around the league. Where should he land? Dallas Cowboys Dallas has needed a dominant interior presence for quite some time. Osa Odighizuwa is an awesome threat, but he is only solid against the run. Alongside him, the team will be banking heavily on 2023 first-rounder Mazi Smith, who has been disappointing so far. With Dallas looking to return to the playoffs, adding a stud like Wilkins could give Dallas one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. San Francisco 49ers The 49ers added some young bodies in CJ West and Alfred Collins, yet neither offer a proven, all-around talent like Wilkins could if healthy. The 49ers defensive line was horrid outside of Nick Bosa in 2024, but by adding Wilkins, the team would now have a solid cast of starters with Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Wilkins and Kevin Givens/Jordan Elliott. Miami Dolphins A return to Miami makes a ton of sense for both sides. The Dolphins know exactly how to use Wilkins, he knows the building and players, and the transition would be very easy. Miami needs help in the interior defensive line; by plugging Wilkins back into his old role, he could offer the quickest path to high-level impact. Detroit Lions With Levi Onwuzurike out with injury and Detroit needing more juice on the defensive line, adding a proven disruptor like Wilkins could make some sense. He could provide more depth while he gets fully healthy, and he can join a legit Super Bowl contender. His energy and mentality could be a good fit for a Dan Campbell-led squad. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars defense is average in the interior, but they have excellent edge-rushers who would benefit greatly from a strong disruptor up the middle. Wilkins could balance the front, help in the run defense and allow more one-on-ones for their premier edge-rushers. For a team that wants to return to the playoffs as soon as possible, adding a veteran like Wilkins could be a worthy bet to make.
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