Since beginning their major rebuild in 2019, GM Sam Presti has methodically assembled an Oklahoma City Thunder roster now regarded as one of the deepest in the NBA. This depth has reached such a level that even players often overlooked on OKC’s bench have managed to develop and flourish after moving to other teams.
Examples include Ty Jerome’s revitalized career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies, alongside Josh Giddey’s emerging stardom with the Chicago Bulls. Most recently, Ousmane Dieng has shown promising signs of growth during his brief tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, demonstrating progress he was unable to achieve in Oklahoma City.
Bill Simmons Recommends Teams Target Thunder’s Surplus Talent
On a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, the host highlighted the Bucks’ strong run before the All-Star break, noting the significant impact of their trade deadline signing, former Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng. Simmons praised Dieng’s contributions and then urged NBA teams to inquire about acquiring some of Oklahoma City’s lesser-known players from deep within their roster.
He emphasized this point bluntly, stating,
I would be trying to trade for all the 12 through 17 OKC guys.
?Bill Simmons, Host
Simmons’s insight draws attention to the Thunder’s abundance of quality beyond their main rotation, including talented two-way players and developmental prospects such as big man Branden Carlson, whose play has attracted notice across the league.
Value of Oklahoma City’s Bench Players in a Competitive Market
Given recent trends of former Thunder players thriving elsewhere, Simmons’s suggestion carries considerable weight, especially for teams aiming to enhance their rosters with emerging talent. While the Thunder’s ability to field a deep lineup nightly is a competitive advantage, there remains the possibility that some of these bench contributors could have trade value, providing Presti and Oklahoma City with enticing returns.
In an NBA environment where depth and potential are highly prized, the surge in Ousmane Dieng’s performance not only reflects well on the Thunder organization but also has become a catalyst that might prompt rival front offices to pursue similar under-the-radar assets.
