Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Chicagojk]

Imo the most likely scenario...

https://x.com/JWeinbachNBA/status/2061155503137264069



Try to resign Hartenstein on a cheaper longterm deal. Dort and Kenrich Williams leave. Try to dump Joe and Wiggins (maybe Topic) in a trade (on paper at least Joe and Topic could actually net OKC future picks in return). Make some kind of draft related trade and turn #12 and #17 into a single first round pick (move up or ask for future picks in return). Fill out the roster with minimum deals. Maybe another rookie (2nd round/undrafted).

But who knows. The rumors are all over the place. Especially the Giannis-OKC stuff. Presti isn't known for all in moves like this but I guess at some point he will have to use his treasure chest.

OKC will be fine and will be a force for years to come.   They will have competition though.  This year they met a very similar team.  OKC had some injury issues for most of the season and the playoffs.   Game 7 just didn't go their way.  I really liked most of their comments that I read after the season too.

They have the best GM in the business who has an abundance of picks and assets.   In the last few years he has drafted a second rounder in AJ Mitchell, traded for Jared McCain, traded for Caruso, singed Hartenstein.  I think he will figure things out.   There will be some hard decisions, but they will be right back in the mix for the foreseeable future.

I do think Cason Wallace is someone to watch.  Not for a trade, but he deserves and wants a bigger role.   I think it will work out, but that will be another big salary soon.   BTW, I really hope Lively can stay healthy.  That draft trade doesn't look great now.  When Lively plays, it is fine.  We just haven't seen him much over the past two years.   Ugh!