With a historic luxury tax bill looming, Sam Presti must prioritize financial flexibility over roster continuity, signaling a ruthless new era of departures for homegrown fan favorites.
Oklahoma City entered the offseason with a clear need to shed salary because of a 2027 luxury tax bill that would cost ownership hundreds of millions of dollars. Sam Presti responded to the threat by trading Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, which slashed the Thunder’s estimated 2027 tax bill by $140 million per NBA Salary Cap Expert Yossi Gozlan. Further moves may be on the horizon, such as trading Luguentz Dort or reworking Isaiah Hartenstein’s contract.
Salary dumps are a sad reality of the NBA that emotionally impact the fans, players and front office. It’s an especially brutal process for the Thunder because they developed most of their players from scratch.
Wiggins was the 55th overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft and began his career on a two-way contract. He worked his way to a five-year, $45 million deal and spent five seasons with Oklahoma City. Wiggins became a beloved figure during his Thunder tenure and earned the nickname “The Man Who Saved Basketball”.
Joe struggled across two seasons with Philadelphia before being waived. Sam Presti pounced immediately, and the former second-round pick blossomed into one of the NBA’s most consistent sharpshooters. Joe’s hard work earned himself a four-year, $48 million contract. He spent four seasons with the Thunder, and the energy in Paycom Center always sizzled when “Zai” knocked down triples.
Unfortunately, it’s only the first wave of salary dumps for Oklahoma City. This process will happen again next offseason when its financial outlook becomes even gloomier. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s supermax extension begins next offseason, which means his salary jumps from $40.8 million in this upcoming season to $60.6 million in the following season.
Cason Wallace’s presumed rookie extension will also begin in the 2027 offseason. Given recent deals for Jalen Suggs (five-year, $150.5 million) and Dyson Daniels (four-year, $100 million), the Thunder are likely giving Wallace something in the ball park of a five-year, $150 million contract. Perhaps Wallace gives them a slight discount, but someone will back up the Brinks truck for him in restricted free agency if Oklahoma City hesitates.
Ajay Mitchell may also have his 2028 team option declined so that the Thunder can sign him to a long-term contract and use the 2028 salary jump to save money across the other seasons. This would be yet another huge contract on the Thunder’s cap sheet.
Overall, look for Thunder salary dumps to be an annual process for the foreseeable future. It’s the consequence of paying Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren a combined 85 to 90% of the salary cap.
