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4-Team Blockbuster Trade Scenario That Could Shake Up The Western Conference
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- 4-Team Blockbuster Trade Scenario That Could Shake Up The Western Conference
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Five games in, and the Oklahoma City Thunder already face a big headache nobody saw coming. Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace went down against the Clippers , meaning OKC must find a way to survive without two main pieces. The Thunder stand at 4-1, but the 120-96 loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday proved how fragile the team looks without them.
Williams broke his left fibula and dislocated his left ankle, while Wallace tore his left shoulder labrum. Both require surgery, and nobody knows yet when they will return. That is a heavy blow for a squad aiming for a championship, especially considering how much both players contribute on defense and offense.
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Naturally, people around the league are already talking about their next move. ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that multiple executives mentioned Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III as potential targets . Marc Stein also noted that the New Orleans Pelicans want two first-round picks in any talks involving Herb Jones , who's expected to be available this season.
So, the pieces are there. New Orleans is struggling to win, Oklahoma owns more draft picks than they can count, and Jones fits the Thunder system perfectly. The real question is how much general manager Sam Presti is willing to pay.
Then we have the Scoot Henderson situation in Portland. The Trail Blazers drafted him third overall back in 2023, but now he sits behind Ja Morant, Damian Lillard, and Jrue Holiday. It is a strange place for a 22-year-old meant to be their future point guard. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks watch Cooper Flagg play like an absolute star already, meaning they could easily afford to gamble on another young talent.
Combine all of this, and a four-team trade between the Thunder, Pelicans, Mavericks, and Trail Blazers starts to look very interesting.
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The Proposed Trade
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Herb Jones
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Nikola Topic, Kenrich Williams, Marcus Sasser, 2027 first-round pick (via Nuggets, top-five protected, with swap rights), 2029 first-round pick (via Thunder, top-10 protected)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Scoot Henderson
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Max Christie, Bennett Stirtz
It sounds like a lot of names, but the concept is actually quite simple. The Thunder get Jones, the Pelicans secure two first-round picks plus young players, the Mavericks take a chance on Henderson, and the Trail Blazers pick up two guards who fit their current rotation.
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OKC sends Nikola Topic and Kenrich Williams to New Orleans, Bennett Stirtz to Portland, and the two first-round picks to the Pelicans. Dallas sends Max Christie to Portland and Marcus Sasser to New Orleans, while Henderson moves to Dallas.
The money matches well enough to make it work. Jones earns $14.9 million, while Topic, Williams, and Stirtz combine for about $15.1 million. The Pelicans take in roughly $15.6 million, and Dallas swaps around $13.5 million for Henderson's $13.6 million salary.
With that cleared up, let's break down what every team gets.
Herb Jones Fits Like A Glove In OKC
Defense was never a problem for the Thunder. They have Chet Holmgren protecting the rim, Alex Caruso causing nightmares for opposing guards, and versatile defenders everywhere. When Williams and Wallace stay healthy, very few teams match their perimeter defense.
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Losing both at once changes everything, though. Wallace usually takes the toughest guard matchups, while Williams handles big wings and helps on offense. You cannot simply replace that quality with two bench players and expect zero drop-off.
OKC still gives up just 104.6 points per game (third-best in the league) with a 106.2 defensive rating (fourth). Those are elite stats, but it is a small sample size, and the team has barely had time to adjust, so this is precisely where Herb Jones enters the picture.
At 28 years old, Jones made the All-Defensive First Team in 2023-24 and remains one of the best wing stoppers in the NBA. He guards guards, handles forwards, and frustrates top scorers. Plus, he won't need the ball in his hands at all, which fits nicely next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
His scoring stats won't blow anyone away. Last season, he averaged 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals. This year, those numbers dropped to 6.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals, though he did pop off for 16 points and two steals against the Kings on Thursday night.
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However, scoring is not why Oklahoma City would want him. He would be there to lock down the opponent's best perimeter scorer, grab steals, and maintain the team's defensive identity while Williams and Wallace recover.
Imagine when everyone finally returns. A rotation featuring SGA, Wallace, Jones, Williams, and Holmgren would be a nightmare for any offense. You could switch everything, put Jones on the primary threat, and leave Holmgren waiting at the rim.
Still, one big issue remains: Jones doesn't replace Williams' offense. Not even close. Williams averaged 18.7 points and 5.5 assists last year, and the Thunder's offense already sits at 27th in the league with 108.2 points per game. Someone else, as Ajay Mitchell did against the Suns, must step up as a playmaker.
Then there is the cost. Two first-round picks, Topic, Stirtz, and Williams is a hefty price for a player scoring six points a night. Jones has a long-term contract, which helps, but it is still a massive package of assets.
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I understand if they doubt a move like this. OKC has spent years constructing this roster without making rash decisions. But let's be honest: the Thunder are no longer playing it safe. They want a ring right now, and losing two crucial starters gives them a valid reason to explore trades.
Jones can't fix every problem, but he makes their defense terrifying and retains immense value when the injured players come back. If the price feels right to them, it is a logical move.
The Pelicans Get Two Picks And Young Talent
Starting 1-4 is not what the Pelicans wanted after enduring a brutal 26-56 season last year. They have talent, but it feels like they have tried every possible way around it without finding any sort of success.
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Thursday night brought a rare bright spot. New Orleans beat the Kings 132-120, driven by Jeremiah Fears exploding for 22 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds. Dejounte Murray also started strong, putting up 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists.
So, the roster is not completely devoid of talent. The front office just needs to decide who stays for the long haul, and Jones is one of their most valuable pieces, which makes trading him so enticing. He is only 28, locked up until 2030, and helps any contender in the league. New Orleans has all the leverage, and two first-round picks completely change the discussion.
That is reportedly the kind of return they want since last season's deadline, and adding Nikola Topic makes it even more intriguing. Topic is 21, drafted 12th in 2024, but injuries and medical issues have limited his NBA run.
We have not seen his full potential yet, but his elite court vision made him a high-lotto prospect. With his size, he reads defenses easily, runs the pick-and-roll well, and creates open looks.
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The Pelicans already have Fears, Murray, a disgruntled Jordan Poole, and Bennedict Mathurin, meaning guard depth is not an urgent need. But rebuilding teams cannot afford to be too picky about positions. If they like Topic, they can develop him patiently.
Kenrich Williams acts mainly as a salary match on an expiring $5.0 million contract, offering veteran forward depth or a future trade chip. Marcus Sasser is another young guard currently putting up 9.0 points and 2.6 assists for Dallas. Neither player alters the franchise's trajectory. The draft picks are the true prize, and Topic is the high-ceiling prospect.
Honestly, I would not be shocked if New Orleans asked for even more. Since the Thunder should remain competitive for years, an OKC future first-round pick might fall late in the draft. The protections on both picks need careful negotiation.
Even so, if the Pelicans want to reset and gather assets, this package deserves a hard look. Jones is great, but winning only 27 games across last year and these first few weeks means it is time to face reality.
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The Mavs Take A Chance On Scoot
I still believe giving up completely on Scoot Henderson is a mistake. His stats aren't what we expected, there is no denying that, but he is still a 22-year-old point guard who has lacked stability since entering the league.
Portland selected him third in 2023 to be Lillard's successor. Instead, Lillard returned, the team brought in Ja Morant and Jrue Holiday, and now Scoot gets under 20 minutes a game.
He averages 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across four games, shooting a brutal 34.4% from the field and 11.8% from deep. Last year he averaged 14.2 points and 3.7 assists, so this year marks a step back.
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Trading for him means Dallas would not get a finished product. They would gamble on Henderson rediscovering the massive potential he showed in the G League, and frankly, I like that gamble for Dallas.
Cooper Flagg has been incredible right out of the gate, averaging 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. He dropped 26 points and eight assists on the Thunder on Wednesday, helping Dallas start 3-2. When your 19-year-old franchise cornerstone plays like that, you do not panic and rebuild. Instead, the Mavericks should surround him with young upside.
Henderson still has elite burst to attack the paint and collapse defenses. When he plays aggressively, you remember why he went top-three. The shooting remains broken, and he makes bad decisions under pressure, but those are fixable things.
Playing alongside Flagg and Kyrie Irving would take massive pressure off him. He would not need to run every single play, allowing Dallas to ease him in off the bench.
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Now, Max Christie is a reliable rotation piece. He averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists last season while shooting 40.4% from deep, an ideal fit next to Flagg. Sasser also contributes meaningful minutes, and gving them up hurts right now.
Could Christie turn out better than Henderson? Absolutely, it is possible, but acquiring a former top pick without giving up a first-rounder is a smart risk. Dallas takes on volatility, but they might secure a long-term backcourt partner for Flagg.
Extra Depth For A Competitive Blazers Team
This part of the trade feels the trickiest, mostly because trading Scoot now feels like Portland admitting a massive mistake. They used the No. 3 pick on him, spent three years developing him, and he is still only 22. Dealing him for Max Christie and Bennett Stirtz means giving up before he gets a fair, consistent shot.
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Then again, look at how Portland's current team plays. The Blazers started 3-1 before falling to the Grizzlies on Thursday, showcasing a blazing-fast offense. They average 122.8 points and 28.8 assists, boasting a 121.9 offensive rating (third in the NBA).
Deni Avdija is playing like an All-Star with 22.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. Morant adds 15.8 points and 5.5 assists, while Holiday and Lillard anchor the backcourt rotation. Honestly, where does Henderson even fit in that picture?
He needs heavy minutes to grow, but Portland already features three veteran guards who control the ball, plus Avdija initiating offense. There are simply not enough minutes to go around.
Of course, Morant's hamstring injury against Memphis complicates things. Portland needs to know his timeline before dealing another point guard. But assuming Morant is their long-term guy, Henderson's future in Oregon looks bleak.
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Christie represents a safer, plug-and-play addition. At 23, he shot 40.4% from three last season and plays well without needing plays called for him. He averages 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists this year.
Portland could slot him next to any of their guards as a reliable 3-and-D wing. It is an easy role for him to step into immediately.
Stirtz brings youth as the other piece. Oklahoma City drafted him 16th overall in 2026 after a stellar college run at Iowa (19.8 points, 4.4 assists). He currently averages 3.4 points in limited minutes, but it is way too early to judge.
He offers a different style than Henderson: calm, controlled, relying on shooting and smart passing. Portland could develop him slowly without pressure.
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So, the Blazers trade a struggling former high pick for a proven young shooter and a fresh draft asset. Would I pull the trigger if I ran Portland? I honestly hesitate.
Christie is good, but Henderson's ceiling remains higher if he unlocks his potential. Giving up on a 22-year-old former No. 3 pick too early can backfire terribly if he explodes elsewhere.
At the same time, rotting on the bench helps nobody. Portland must decide if they genuinely believe in Henderson. If the answer is no, getting Christie and Stirtz gives them clean, manageable rotation pieces.
Would This Trade Be Worth It?
Looking at the big picture, the Thunder probably win this trade value-wise, even if they surrender the most assets. Herb Jones is the exact defensive specialist they need right now to survive the injuries, and he remains useful for years.
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Still, two first-round picks is a heavy price, and Presti rarely overpays. OKC must be certain Jones helps them chase multiple titles.
For New Orleans, the choice is simple: stop spinning your wheels and start collecting young assets. Dallas gets a high-ceiling gamble in Henderson, while Portland swaps a complicated project for proven floor-spacing and youth.
Every team takes a risk here, meaning this exact deal probably won't happen as written. Pick protections, salaries, and Portland's guard situation require a lot of fine-tuning.
Even so, the core idea makes total sense. The Thunder boost their defense for a title push, the Pelicans secure future draft capital, the Mavericks take a smart flyer on a young guard, and the Blazers get complementary pieces that fit their roster.
If I had to push for one part to happen, it is sending Jones to Oklahoma City. That fit is simply too clean to ignore, especially given their current injury crisis.
