5 Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should quietly be recruiting right now

The Thunder need Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to help deliver a star to OKC.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are creating a unique entity. The 25-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named to the first team of the NBA last season and is still getting better. In good health, Chet Holmgren appears to be a rising star. OKC has a ton of draft picks if they decide to upgrade their roster, and Jalen Williams leads a young, talented core that has the Thunder in the thick of the playoff race this season.

Sam Presti enjoys accumulating assets, but they are faced with too many options. The Thunder must pursue large targets in order to optimize their draft capital. Although Oklahoma City is not the most attractive market, some of the best players in the world might be interested in playing next to SGA on a roster that is incredibly talented.

 

Gilgeous-Alexander needs to bring in a star player to the Thunder, and he has connections throughout the league. Though it won’t be simple, he ought to be attempting to persuade these five players already.

5. Pascal Siakam

Although Holmgren is the Thunder’s long-term five, they have had trouble playing elite centers. To compete with the league’s best teams—the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and 76ers—Oklahoma City might require a little more bulk up front.

Siakam is in the last year of his contract, and as the deadline of February 8 draws nearer, the trade rumors will only intensify. The Thunder would have a 6’8 forward to share the frontcourt with their gifted rookie if the two-time All-Star were to move.

 

Siakam is an excellent playmaker for a big man and has averaged over 20 points per game for the past four years. He would add a third star and another

reliable scorer to the Thunder lineup. By adding Pascal Siakam, OKC increases

their chances of winning the championship, but this is a risky move

given his ambiguous contract situation. To keep him around, the Thunder would

need assurance that the two-time All-Star is prepared to sign a long-term contract.

4. Lauri Markkanen

Last season, Markkanen made his first appearance on an All-Star team and won Most Improved Player. The seven-footer elevated his game when he was part of the struggling Utah Jazz. He shot 49.9 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from three, and 87.5 percent from the free throw line while averaging 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.

The Thunder are in the top ten in both offensive and defensive rating this season, but they rank 25th in rebounds per game and 24th in 3-pointers attempted. Will Oklahoma City get bullied on the glass in the playoffs and could a team shoot them out of a series? The Thunder would be able to counteract both problems by adding Lauri Markkanen.

 

The 26-year-old played a lesser role in Chicago and Cleveland before arriving in Salt Lake City. Oklahoma City could maximize his efficiency next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren. Markkanen could be a floor-spacing sniper, who scores 18 every night with eight boards. Holmgren could protect the rim and leave Markkanen as the secondary big man inside.

In the summer of 2024, the All-Star forward will be eligible for an extension; he will become a free agent in 2025. He might be considering leaving the Jazz as they rebuild. Since Markkanen has never participated in a postseason game, his next move might be greatly impacted by victory. SGA ought to be pitching recruits already—the Oklahoma City Thunder are ready to compete.

3. Jrue Holiday

A veteran or two with postseason experience and proven leadership qualities are needed in Oklahoma City. Three-time Teammate of the Year and two-time All-Star Jrue Holiday might be the best choice available.

The 6’4 guard was traded twice in the offseason and wound up in Boston. The Celtics plan on re-signing him long-term, but it is up to Holiday. He has a player option for the 2024-25 season and becomes a free agent at the end of the year if he chooses. If the 33-year-old wants out of Boston, he will be looking for another place to compete for a championship.

 

Holiday is one of the best perimeter stoppers in the world and a key reason why the Bucks won the championship in 2021. His age might be a bit scary for the young Thunder where Davis Bertans is their only current player over 30 years old. Still, Holiday would fit right in and provide some needed experience.

Is Gilgeous-Alexander able to persuade him to depart from Beantown? Always give it a try. Following a playoff appearance, Paul George left the Thunder to join Kawhi Leonard on the Clippers. As Boston’s fourth option, Holiday’s offensive workload and scoring are significantly reduced. He might wear the number three jersey for the Thunder and support them in their quest for Oklahoma City’s first championship.

2. Donovan Mitchell

The rumors about Mitchell are just now beginning to spread once more. Cleveland’s unexpected first-round playoff exit from the previous campaign increases the pressure on the Cavaliers to triumph right away. Though Mitchell’s

contract is set to expire in 2025, there will be more and more rumors until a

long-term deal is finalized. The Cavs will probably trade him in the summer of

2024, if not before, if he refuses to sign an extension.

The Thunder need experience, and Mitchell is no stranger to shining in the playoffs. The 27-year-old has two 50-point games and has 20 contests of 30-plus in his 45 career postseason tilts. Mitchell is an elite scorer who is never afraid of the moment. That could be a massive lift to the inexperienced Thunder and the two sides could chase their first championship together.

 

Most believe Mitchell will decline his player option in 2025 and leave Cleveland if the Cavs do not trade him sooner. It will be telling summer when extension talks begin. The franchise is unlikely to wait if Mitchell declines a max deal.

Can the four-time All-Star be persuaded to join Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City? He must begin right away. Mitchell is the former Cavaliers and Jazz leader. Helping the Thunder win it all could be of great interest, as they are not exactly two traditional powers.

1. Luka Doncic

Dallas is experiencing some uncertainty as a result of Mark Cuban selling the team’s majority ownership. Though the Mavericks were not in the playoffs the previous season, Luka is one of the best young stars in the league. They have won 11 of their first 17 games this season, but 77 may ask to be benched if they hit a rough patch.

Doncic has been a standout player in the playoffs, earning a spot on the first team of the NBA for four years running. During his first 28 postseason games of his career, he averaged 32.5 points per game and led the Mavs to the conference finals in 2022. Luka Doncic is undoubtedly the man the Thunder need if they want someone who will excel when the lights are brightest.

 

Luka would need to put the Thunder on his list of desired destinations and ask for a trade. During the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Doncic praised SGA, which would combine two of the top ten players in the world on a single squad. Oklahoma City’s youthful talent would make the Thunder an immediate title contender.

Will the Oklahoma City Thunder select a star with their draft capital? To make it happen, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs to be bringing in the greatest players on the planet.