OKC Thunder Trades and Transaction Thread

[Devilanche]

I don’t recall a lot of past descending contracts. Perhaps I'm simply forgetting but I hope this becomes common place moving forward for bench pieces.

I remember reading it’s cause players and agents prefer ascending contract. Purely for negotiation on the next contract.

It could be more common when team have to find ways around second apron though . More so when team is quite young and salary is relatively low .

[BlockCity]

isaiah joe's contract details have been released and it's better than expected:

-$12,991,650 in '24-25
-$12,362,338 in '25-26
-$11,323,006 in '26-27
-$11,323,006 in '27-28 (team option)

Any idea on the Wiggins contract?

Great deal we got on Joe

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

[slick_watts]

isaiah joe's contract details have been released and it's better than expected:

-$12,991,650 in '24-25
-$12,362,338 in '25-26
-$11,323,006 in '26-27
-$11,323,006 in '27-28 (team option)

Any idea on the Wiggins contract?

Great deal we got on Joe

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

other than the years and term (5 year, $47 million) the contract details haven't been reported yet. bobby marks mentioned there was a team option on all three contracts and since hartenstein and joe both had one, i think it's safe to assume wiggins will have one also.

[Clav]

I don’t recall a lot of past descending contracts. Perhaps I'm simply forgetting but I hope this becomes common place moving forward for bench pieces.

Me too, If we're headed towards that reality, it is smarter for both player and team. Provide the player with the meat of the contract up front so they have their future secured, and provide a better allotment of flexibility for the team to avoid the punitive rules of the CBA later.

[Kizz Fastfists]

I don’t recall a lot of past descending contracts. Perhaps I'm simply forgetting but I hope this becomes common place moving forward for bench pieces.

Me too, If we're headed towards that reality, it is smarter for both player and team. Provide the player with the meat of the contract up front so they have their future secured, and provide a better allotment of flexibility for the team to avoid the punitive rules of the CBA later.

Nick Collison is the only other player on a declining contract I remember. I agree they are good for both the team and player, but the opportunity to give them out is rare. Once you are near the tax giving front-loaded contracts push you closer, or into, the tax which is an extra cost that the team is trying to avoid. OKC had the space to give them out this year without any threat of going into the tax.

[slick_watts]

I don’t recall a lot of past descending contracts. Perhaps I'm simply forgetting but I hope this becomes common place moving forward for bench pieces.

Me too, If we're headed towards that reality, it is smarter for both player and team. Provide the player with the meat of the contract up front so they have their future secured, and provide a better allotment of flexibility for the team to avoid the punitive rules of the CBA later.

Nick Collison is the only other player on a declining contract I remember. I agree they are good for both the team and player, but the opportunity to give them out is rare. Once you are near the tax giving front-loaded contracts push you closer, or into, the tax which is an extra cost that the team is trying to avoid. OKC had the space to give them out this year without any threat of going into the tax.

alex abrines, too.

[Andre Roberstan]

Me too, If we're headed towards that reality, it is smarter for both player and team. Provide the player with the meat of the contract up front so they have their future secured, and provide a better allotment of flexibility for the team to avoid the punitive rules of the CBA later.

Nick Collison is the only other player on a declining contract I remember. I agree they are good for both the team and player, but the opportunity to give them out is rare. Once you are near the tax giving front-loaded contracts push you closer, or into, the tax which is an extra cost that the team is trying to avoid. OKC had the space to give them out this year without any threat of going into the tax.

alex abrines, too.

Singler wasn't descending, but he WAS a flat contract. Those are more common but still not that normal.

I know there are a few others around the league but OKC definitely does more of them than most.

[slick_watts]

aaron wiggins' contract is structured the same as isaiah joe, only five years:

$10,880,640
$9,672,897
$8,831,776
$7,990,655
$7,990,655 (team option)

[Clav]

Nick Collison is the only other player on a declining contract I remember. I agree they are good for both the team and player, but the opportunity to give them out is rare. Once you are near the tax giving front-loaded contracts push you closer, or into, the tax which is an extra cost that the team is trying to avoid. OKC had the space to give them out this year without any threat of going into the tax.

alex abrines, too.

Singler wasn't descending, but he WAS a flat contract. Those are more common but still not that normal.

I know there are a few others around the league but OKC definitely does more of them than most.

Here's a small list of NBA descending contracts I came across: (There are more out there)

Isaiah Collier*
UTA
$5,150,880
$2,638,200
$2,763,960
($4,988,948)

* Collier's is a bit weird, late 1st pick, he makes more in Yr. 1 and then it descends, but the (QO) is more.

Miles McBride
NYK
$4,710,144
$4,333,333
$3,956,523

Zeke Nnaji
DEN
$8,888,889
$8,177,778
$7,466,667
$7,466,667


Deni Avdija
POR
$15,625,000
$14,375,000
$13,125,000
$11,875,000

[Clav]

Thursday mid-day trade idea for the board:


OKC trades
Kenrich Williams, Jazz pick returned to UTA, 2 2nds to ORL (2025s via ATL, MEM)

OKC Receives
Wendell Carter Jr

ORL trades
WCJ, Cole Anthony

ORL receives
KWilliams, Collin Sexton, 2 2nds from OKC (2025s via ATL, MEM)

UTA trades
Sexton

UTA receives
Anthony, It's FRP pick is returned via OKC



Thunder pick up another option to pair our front court, WCJ has 2 yrs 20M owed.
Jazz reduce salary and retain control of its pick, and get a lesser Sexton anyways. They are tanking.
Magic send out a derivative piece now (as Bitadze, Isaac, Banchero, Wagners are the frontcourt) and get a better scorer, and a wing defender, and some compensation in 2025 right off the bat to round off the roster.

[Devilanche]

Thursday mid-day trade idea for the board:


OKC trades
Kenrich Williams, Jazz pick returned to UTA, 2 2nds to ORL (2025s via ATL, MEM)

OKC Receives
Wendell Carter Jr

ORL trades
WCJ, Cole Anthony

ORL receives
KWilliams, Collin Sexton, 2 2nds from OKC (2025s via ATL, MEM)

UTA trades
Sexton

UTA receives
Anthony, It's FRP pick is returned via OKC



Thunder pick up another option to pair our front court, WCJ has 2 yrs 20M owed.
Jazz reduce salary and retain control of its pick, and get a lesser Sexton anyways. They are tanking.
Magic send out a derivative piece now (as Bitadze, Isaac, Banchero, Wagners are the frontcourt) and get a better scorer, and a wing defender, and some compensation in 2025 right off the bat to round off the roster.

Not really interested in WCJ anymore.
Non Center IH minute should be taken by Chet.

PF targets are probably DFS / Olynyk and using a Kenrich/Dieng as salary matching.

Or probably overpay for Deni.

[Mr Thunder Nick]

For all the slashers of Sam Presti, listen the end of Chet Holmgren's interview with C.Frye and R. Jefferson.

https://okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/

[Clav]

We have one roster spot, and Gallinari would like to remain in the NBA - anyone want to offer him a veteran's minimum contract non-guaranteed something or other for our final 15th spot ?

I lean towards no as he's cooked, but can provide vet presence without much risk (other than a waive or trade piece later in the year).

[Kizz Fastfists]

We have one roster spot, and Gallinari would like to remain in the NBA - anyone want to offer him a veteran's minimum contract non-guaranteed something or other for our final 15th spot ?

I lean towards no as he's cooked, but can provide vet presence without much risk (other than a waive or trade piece later in the year).

Give him, or anyone, the room MLE. Signing someone to the vet minimum is gross negligence. Leaving the spot open is gross negligence. Sign someone to the room MLE so they have a contract to move at the deadline when they figure out what they need to add to properly round out the roster. The player doesn't matter. The contract matters. Whoever they would sign for that spot isn't going to see the floor except in blow out situations, at most.

[Clav]

We have one roster spot, and Gallinari would like to remain in the NBA - anyone want to offer him a veteran's minimum contract non-guaranteed something or other for our final 15th spot ?

I lean towards no as he's cooked, but can provide vet presence without much risk (other than a waive or trade piece later in the year).

Give him, or anyone, the room MLE. Signing someone to the vet minimum is gross negligence. Leaving the spot open is gross negligence. Sign someone to the room MLE so they have a contract to move at the deadline when they figure out what they need to add to properly round out the roster. The player doesn't matter. The contract matters. Whoever they would sign for that spot isn't going to see the floor except in blow out situations, at most.

I didn't check what level we had to offer, the nitty gritty of the cap sheet sometimes elude me, but this is a fine idea. How was your summer Kizz ?

[Kizz Fastfists]

I didn't check what level we had to offer, the nitty gritty of the cap sheet sometimes elude me, but this is a fine idea. How was your summer Kizz ?

My summer was wild. Lots of medical issues in the family. Nothing overly serious, but some random oddities. An eye parasite, the medication to treat the parasite weakens ligaments and cartilage which led to torn knee cartilage. Lots of other stuff, but that was the most interesting and surprising. Nothing too serous with me, but old age and refusing to listen to doctors issues with my father which put him back in the hospital for a few weeks and other stuff. My life has been full of chaos since about April. On the bright side, finally getting the stepdaughter out of the house by the end of September.

[Clav]

I didn't check what level we had to offer, the nitty gritty of the cap sheet sometimes elude me, but this is a fine idea. How was your summer Kizz ?

My summer was wild. Lots of medical issues in the family. Nothing overly serious, but some random oddities. An eye parasite, the medication to treat the parasite weakens ligaments and cartilage which led to torn knee cartilage. Lots of other stuff, but that was the most interesting and surprising. Nothing too serous with me, but old age and refusing to listen to doctors issues with my father which put him back in the hospital for a few weeks and other stuff. My life has been full of chaos since about April. On the bright side, finally getting the stepdaughter out of the house by the end of September.

Sounds like you've had quite the summer. I have not had such a roller coaster but I wish you well nonetheless. I'm moving to a new apartment this weekend so that's pretty much my life drama at the moment. Hope your father gets in good form and the end of the year rounds out for ya.

Having an eye parasite is wild that eventually led to knee issues.. what the heck. that's chaotic for sure. I feel for you there. I did have a stye earlier this year, like a bump on the eyelid that was irritated, but thankfully nothing more than that. Basketball season is not far away, my friend~!

[Mr Thunder Nick]

Come on guys. Everybody seems to be in a kind of summer sleep. Sam will soon address his yearly speech to the fans and the press. Media day will be the 30th of September an training camp will start the first October.

I'm starting to be a little bit of nervous, because I can't wait the start of the new season. NBA and the Thunder are such a great part of my life.

[Clav]

Come on guys. Everybody seems to be in a kind of summer sleep. Sam will soon address his yearly speech to the fans and the press. Media day will be the 30th of September an training camp will start the first October.

I'm starting to be a little bit of nervous, because I can't wait the start of the new season. NBA and the Thunder are such a great part of my life.

It's the calm before the.... storm. [sorry]

What should we talk about pre-pre season ?


Some random things on my head::

Our team has an open roster spot and the Room exception available, however we are hard-capped, and I'm not a cap expert, it seems we cannot offer some deals being hard-capped but I dont' see the Room Exception explicitly noted on spotrac.

Team becomes hard-capped at First Apron by or can't use/do:
Using more than Tax MLE out of NTMLE
Using BAE
Acquiring player via Sign-and-Trade
Signing a buyout player who made more than NTMLE on previous contract
Using more than 100% in salary matching in a trade
Using a TPE that was created in prior season

Regardless, we have limited operating power from other years, but still significantly less salary on the books than other franchises. In light of that I feel like the roster is pretty set. I'd be thrilled if we kept that spot open for a savvy win-now trade rather than offer it to a project.

Out of our 14 players, one is injured for most of this season - Topic. That leaves us with 13 players, 12 of which suit up each night.. and 3 TW players allowed to jump in whenever during the RS and up to 90 games total. If we fill that 15th roster spot, we can use 150 games of TW players (50 each). Put those TW guys into games earlier rather than later in my opinion.

None of our TW players are true big forwards, that could be my one area to improve. Perhaps reneg on F Alex Ducas who didn't appear in SL, and sign a post player kicking around the GL.

Finally, that 15th spot could still be useful for a trade to provide C/PF rotation depth but I would imagine that Presti waits to see how well we come out of the gate before adding ingredients to the mix.


some players could be on the market, like Kenrich Williams or Dieng as my most likely candidates. We have a lot of assets in the 2025 draft, we cannot roster them all, so that's a storyline we need to talk about as well during the course of the year.

[Kizz Fastfists]

Some random things on my head::

Our team has an open roster spot and the Room exception available, however we are hard-capped, and I'm not a cap expert, it seems we cannot offer some deals being hard-capped but I don't see the Room Exception explicitly noted on spotrac.

They are hard capped at $178M. They have $17.4M to play with. They could use the room exception to sign a player. They could then use the room exception player, $8M, and trade that player with Dieng, $5M, and Kenrich, $6.7M and acquire a player worth $24.5M at the deadline. It would increase the flexibility in-season for Presti to acquire talent if someone that fit became available. Something Presti apparently had no interest in doing. Why would you want to maximize your options and increase the chances of winning? That is something you only do if your goal is a championship.