Oklahoma City Thunder: Does OKC have to trade Russell Westbrook and rebuild?
By Dan Knitzer
Bradley Beal
The subject of probably the second most trade rumors in the past year, Bradley Beal is better than Paul George at one thing: shooting, which has long been the Thunder’s achilles heel. If the Thunder could trade Schroder, Roberson, and Patterson for Beal, they would save almost $5M on their roster, meaning well over $10M in repeater tax penalties.
Of course, the Thunder wouldn’t have to part with all seven of their recently obtained picks/pick swaps, and if Clipper’s trade lynchpin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was involved, the asking price in picks would be even lower, as would the Thunder’s subsequent tax bill.
The Wizards might be difficult to convince, but if Beal demands a trade there’s no question that the Thunder will have the firepower to land him.