The Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves at a crossroads, facing a stark financial reality that could shape their future. With the second apron looming over their heads, the team must make tough decisions to navigate the upcoming luxury tax and repeater tax. The question on everyone's mind is: who will be cut to stay under the cap? The Thunder have a talented core, but the bill for their success is coming due, and they must decide who is truly indispensable.
The first obvious target is Lu Dort, a 3-and-D wing with an $18.2 million team option. While his defense is a strength, his offense has become a weakness, and he was mostly ineffective in the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder have an abundance of 3-and-D wings, and removing Dort could be a net positive. However, his status as an elder statesman and the team's preference to keep him away from the Lakers makes him a tough sell. The Bulls, Nets, and big trade exception teams like the Celtics, Mavericks, and Grizzlies are likely to be in the running if the Thunder decide to move on from Dort.
Jared McCain, making only $4.4 million with two years left on his rookie deal, may have been acquired specifically to replace Isaiah Joe as the "designated shooter" in the rotation. Joe is set to make $11.3 million next season, and McCain played more than Joe in the playoffs. The Thunder wouldn't have any trouble trading Joe, who has an affordable team option for the 2027-28 season. Aaron Wiggins, on another team-friendly contract, is also in the mix. He's making $9.2 million and has two more cheap years after that. Wiggins didn't factor into the playoff rotation, and the Thunder need to clear someone from the perimeter to accommodate Nikola Topić, who missed his rookie season with a torn ACL and most of his sophomore season recovering from testicular cancer.
The Thunder are also likely to decline the team options of Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams. Hartenstein, a key player in the Western Conference Finals, is irreplaceable due to his ability to get offensive rebounds and his parabolic flip shot. The Thunder will likely work on a long-term extension with him to secure his services for multiple seasons. Williams, a beloved locker room figure, is another candidate to have his option declined and re-signed for multiple years at a slightly lower figure. However, the Thunder must consider the financial implications of keeping both players.
The Thunder's draft picks are also in play. They have two first-round picks, No. 12 and No. 17, and are projected to be $39 million above the second apron for next season. They may consider turning one or both of these picks into selections in the 2029 or 2030 draft to maintain liquidity and pursue specific draft prospects. The team's future is uncertain, and the Thunder must make tough decisions to stay under the cap and maintain their championship pursuit.
