Seattle Received Two Veterans From Boston
On October 16, 1987, Boston sent guard Sam Vincent and veteran forward Scott Wedman to the Seattle SuperSonics in return for cash and a future second-round selection. The 1988 draft ledger associates that second with No. 35 Sylvester Gray. Modern franchise indexing may file Seattle trades under the Oklahoma City Thunder lineage, but the actual 1987 receiving team was Seattle. The SuperSonics preferred immediate basketball experience, while the Celtics turned two roster pieces into monetary compensation and a prospect opportunity. This was a real two-player deal rather than an exchange involving an existing Thunder roster.
Vincent Offered Seattle Backcourt Options, Wedman Experience
Vincent was an NBA guard capable of competing for minutes, giving Seattle another option for ball handling and scoring. Wedman brought years of professional experience, though he was at a late career stage and couldn't reasonably be expected to reproduce his earlier prime indefinitely. Their prior Boston performance still belonged to the Celtics' history and should not be treated as Seattle games after the transaction. The Sonics received two named veterans, but the actual value of each depended on availability and subsequent roster decisions rather than his reputation at the time of acquisition.
Boston's Future Second Became a Defined Draft Position
Boston gained an eventual second-round position that the draft record associates with No. 35 Sylvester Gray, along with cash. Those were real assets, but a future pick did not guarantee a signed rotation forward and the cash wasn't automatically equivalent to an NBA player's development. The Celtics had veteran talent at other positions and could afford to examine younger prospects over time rather than retain every reserve. The correct return to evaluate is the second-round opportunity and financial consideration, not any unrelated games Gray later played for another franchise.
The Sonics Chose More Immediate NBA Personnel
Seattle acquired two players who could contribute without waiting for a draft, while Boston accepted a later selection and cash. That makes the Seattle-side package slightly stronger on immediate personnel value despite Wedman's age and the uncertainty of each veteran's ultimate usage. Boston still got compensation from surplus depth, so the Celtics weren't left empty-handed. Calling the 1987 team 'Oklahoma City' in the trade narrative would misstate the historical location even though the modern database grouping is legitimate. Moderate grades recognize a close exchange, with a narrow Sonics edge.
Final Verdict
Oklahoma City Thunder Win under modern franchise lineage, but the actual 1987 beneficiary was the Seattle SuperSonics. Seattle earns B- for acquiring Sam Vincent and Scott Wedman as NBA-experienced options; Boston gets C+ for cash and a 1988 second associated with No. 35 Sylvester Gray. Neither club is awarded NBA games from later unrelated contracts.