After months of anticipation — Oklahoma City’s trade deadline activity has officially begun. Starting things out for the Thunder’s day of play, George Hill.
ESPN Senior Writer Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania tag-teamed in their efforts to publicize the trade. Shams published the initial confirmation of the move first, while Wojnarowski tapped in the provide the framework.
In a five-player, three-team deal, the Oklahoma City Thunder will net Tony Bradley, Austin Rivers, and Philadelphia’s second-round picks in 2025 and 2026.
Philadelphia will receive George Hill and Ignas Brazdeikis in the move, while the New York Knicks will acquire former-Thunder wing Terrance Ferguson.
Philadelphia has been fond of George Hill for over a month now, showing interest in the guard as early as mid-February. GM Elton Brand seemed to have opted to take the cheap option in George Hill, as the organization was forced into an ultimatum between Kyle Lowry or Hill, after another primary target in Delon Wright was moved to Sacramento Wednesday night. Kyle Lowry would have garnered first-round picks and young assets at the 76ers expense, while Hill only cost them a pair of seconds and some expirings.
Oklahoma City came out of this deal pretty well. The Thunder collected two more picks to their now 34 picks grandeur (17 first-round, 17 second-round) through 2027, while also adding on a young big in Tony Bradley, and another future piece in Austin Rivers.
Tony Bradley was a five-star recruit out of high school, playing a lone season with North Carolina, before being selected 28th by the Lakers in the 2017 draft, subsequently swapping changing hands for the Utah Jazz. Bradley played out a limited bench role behind Rudy Gobert in his first three seasons with Utah, but the big man ended up being traded twice over the offseason before ending in Philadelphia.
Bradley has posted near-career numbers with the 76ers thus far, averaging 5.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in just 14.4 minutes a contest.
Bradley just came off his best game of the season, tallying 18 points (8-of-8 FG) and 11 rebounds Tuesday against the Warriors.
The 23-year-old is closing out on his rookie scale contract this season, hitting restricted free agency upon the offseason. Bradley is in a similar situation to another newcomer in Svi Mykhailiuk, both players are set in a bench role to stake their claim as to why they deserve a second contract.
In regards to Austin Rivers, the seasoned veteran is on year one-of-three in a deal worth $9.9 million. At 28-year-old, Rivers does not match the Thunder’s youth movement, however his reputation of being a reliable playoff option makes him movable down the line — or at worst a medium buyout contract.
Rivers has averaged 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in his 21 game run with the Knicks.
In regards to Terrance Ferguson and Ignas Brazdeikis, it becomes rather insignificant as both players have scored a paltry 2 points this season.
Oklahoma City has begun their trade deadline with a solid collection — but with a mere hours remaining, time will only tell if any additional assets are added to their haul.