The NBA offseason is in full swing, and there's been plenty of action so far.
One of the biggest moves was the trade of Kevin Durant. Durant was sent to the Houston Rockets by the Phoenix Suns in a very complex seven-team trade.
One of the pieces the Suns received in exchange for Durant is controversial wing Dillon Brooks. Brooks doesn't have the best reputation on the court, but there's no denying his talent as a scorer and solid defender.
Brooks is 28 and carries a hefty contract, so it's possible the Suns could look to reroute him this summer. Vishwesha Kumar of Fadeaway World believes Brooks could be targeted by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Kumar's hypothetical deal looks like this:
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Dillon Brooks
Phoenix Suns Receive: Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams, 2026 Oklahoma City Thunder first-round pick, 2026 Philadelphia 76ers second-round pick
Regarding the deal, Kumar offered the following analysis:
While his outspoken personality and on-court antics have made him a villain in many NBA cities, his defensive presence is undeniable.
What makes this potential deal even more intriguing is the chemistry factor. Shai and Brooks are national teammates for Team Canada. Their familiarity and shared identity could make the transition smoother, with Brooks likely to embrace a defined defensive role alongside SGA's offensive brilliance.
Adding Brooks, an elite perimeter stopper, to a system that already includes Chet Holmgren’s rim protection, Lu Dort’s physicality, Alex Caruso's grit, and Shai’s improved two-way play could elevate this defense to historically great levels.
As Kumar mentioned, this deal could be endorsed by franchise star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has played with Brooks for Team Canada.
Additionally, Brooks would be a solid fit for a Thunder team that is already elite on defense. The Thunder led the league in defensive rating in 2024-25, holding teams to just 107.5 points per 100 possessions en route to winning their first title.
In 2024-25, Brooks played in 75 games for the Rockets and averaged 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 42.9% from the field and 39.7% from deep. That was the best shooting performance from three in Brooks' career, which should enhance his trade value.
In exchange, the Thunder would send out a couple of rotational pieces in Isaiah Joe and Kenrich Williams. Williams is loved for his toughness and defense, and Joe has been a reliable three-point specialist.
However, Williams is an aging vet and Joe struggled to make much of an impact in the postseason. This deal would also allow the Thunder to have an open roster spot which could be used to add another vet on a cheap deal.