Thunder trade idea involves Jalen Williams, No. 1 pick in 2026 NBA Draft and Anthony Davis

But what happens in the summer, as the Thunder's roster continues to get more expensive?

Oklahoma City has splashed cash in recent years to ink franchise pillars Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to long-term extensions. The Thunder also have All-Star guard Jalen Williams for the long haul -- but Williams has missed much of this season through injury.

It is because of the Thunder's sustained success without Williams that Oklahoma City could look to trade him in the summer as a method of cost control -- something that Sam Presti, the Thunder's top exec, knows about all too well.

Bleacher Report has proposed a stunning three-way trade that would see the Thunder deal Williams to the Washington Wizards in a pick-laden deal. Former Thunder swingman Jerami Grant would return to Oklahoma City in the hypothetical trade, but he wouldn't be the top asset: Oklahoma City would get the first overall pick in next month's draft from Washington, while the Portland Trail Blazers would get back the contract of 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis.

The deal looks like this:

**Wizards receive:**Jalen Williams, Scoot Henderson, No. 12, Sacramento's 2028 second-round pick (via Portland), Denver's 2029 first-round pick (top-five protection; via OKC), Portland's 2031 second-round pick

**Thunder receive:**Jerami Grant, No. 1 pick

**Blazers receive:**Anthony Davis

Why would the Thunder do this? One reason is because Ajay Mitchell -- on one of the NBA's cheapest contracts -- has had a stellar season filling in for Williams. And when Grant comes off the books in 2028, the Thunder all of a sudden will have more cash than most contenders do in the midst of their title windows.

"This will give executive vice president Sam Presti more flexibility when it comes to planning around the futures of Mitchell (under contract through 2027-28), Isaiah Hartenstein (team option), Lu Dort (team option), Cason Wallace (extension eligible), Jared McCain (extension eligible in 2027) and other players OKC may draft or look to acquire," writes B/R's Dan Favale.

Favale does caution that the Thunder aren't likely to deal Williams, who is an important player for the franchise despite his durability concerns. But if Oklahoma City decides to get in on the AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson sweepstakes, Presti arguably has the best asset of all.

More NBA news:

• Victor Wembanyama's comments about 'ragebaiting' reveal the Timberwolves' strategy
• Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein touching story shows impact NBA players can have on community
• James Harden could turn the tide on his postseason reputation in Game 6 vs Detroit
• Why Cavaliers 'stomach bugs' made a difference in NBA Playoffs series against Pistons