Oklahoma City sheds significant salary to dodge luxury tax penalties, while Atlanta lands a proven champion on a team-friendly deal to bolster their young, ascending bench.
With the 2026 NBA Draft just days away, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on June 21 that the Thunder are “finalizing a trade to send guard Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for two second-round picks (Atlanta’s in 2030 and the least favorable of Hawks/Lakers in 2032)”.
Wiggins spent five fruitful seasons with the Thunder after being selected 55th overall in the 2021 Draft. The Maryland product helped Oklahoma City win its first title in franchise history, especially in Game 2 and Game 5 against Indiana.
Check out trade grades for each side below.
OKC Thunder’s Grade for Aaron Wiggins Trade
Wiggins struggled mightily with his shot this past season and subsequently fell out of the rotation. He barely saw meaningful minutes in the 2026 playoffs and did not play well when given the chance. It’s unlikely that this reality would change next season given Oklahoma City’s depth, so the time for a breakup is now.
Shaving salary is a top priority for the Thunder this offseason because they are well into the luxury tax and second apron. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, Oklahoma City entered the offseason with a projected tax bill of $213 million. This projection drops to $152 million after the trade.
Along with the financial benefits, the Thunder grow their hoard of future draft capital slightly by picking up a pair of future second-round picks. Plus, they create a $9.02 million trade exception that expires one year from the date of the transaction. This tool allows Sam Presti to acquire a player via trade without sending anyone back, assuming the player earns at most $9.02 million in the 2027 season.
Overall, the Thunder receive a “B” grade for the Wiggins trade. They accomplished their mission of shedding salary, but the draft capital return is a bit underwhelming given Wiggins’ contract and potential. Oklahoma City also loses the chance to package Wiggins with one of its 2026 first-round picks to move up in the draft. It’s a solid yet unspectacular trade. An added bonus is that Presti sent him to an up-and-coming Eastern Conference squad. He did right by Wiggins.
Atlanta Hawks’ Grade for Aaron Wiggins Trade
Atlanta receives an “A+” grade for the Wiggins trade because it’s a low-risk, high-reward move. The Hawks add a talented bench scorer who may take a leap in a new environment that has more minutes to offer. Wiggins also has three years remaining on his team-friendly contract, so Atlanta possesses plenty of time to examine whether he’s a long-term keeper or not.
