How many OKC Thunder players are “untouchables”?

The OKC Thunder have one of the best young cores in the entire NBA, and as the team projects to make another jump in win total, fans are starting to get restless. The Oklahoma City Thunder saw an improvement from 16 wins a year ago without yet seeing their only top-five pick in this rebuilding step onto the court. With the addition of Chet Holmgren, another top ten pick and two-time EuroLeague MVP, the buzz around Bricktown is palpable.

While we have yet to see this entire core play together, the OKC Thunder fan base is already looking forward to the franchise making a big splash on the trade market. However, to acquire some of the big names that fans want to see sent to Bricktown, you have to give and get.

Fortunately, the OKC Thunder have a mountain of draft picks to help shoulder the burden of trade negotiations, but picks can’t get you completely over the hump when looking for stars. However, Sam Presti could set his sights on a more complementary piece rather than a top-tier elite weapon.

How are you considered untouchable for the OKC Thunder heading into the 2023-24 NBA season?

The Oklahoma City Thunder have seen Shai Gilgeous-Alexander transform into a bona fide superstar over the last year, and since he’s already locked into a max contract that runs through the 2026-27 season, it’s a safe bet that Gilgeous-Alexander won’t be. negotiated outside of Bricktown unless she demands an exchange.

But up to this point, he’s said all the right things about wanting to carry out his rebuild to give Thunder fans confidence that he is, in fact, “untouchable.” Even to the point where other Front Office executives have given up hope that he will be available.

The waters get murky as you move on to other parts of the list. Keeping around a first-team All-NBA superstar guard who produces on both ends and was fifth in MVP voting a season ago is a no-brainer. What about young people?