HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: Tre Mann #23 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket whilst … [+] Usman Garuba #16 of the Houston Rockets defends during the second quarter of the game at Toyota Center on November 26, 2022 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesIt’s been yet another busy offseason for the Oklahoma City Thunder, as the team has been active in the draft, free agency and on the trade market. All three primary methods of roster building have been leveraged by Oklahoma City, which has led to quite a bit of change on the roster.
When looking back at the various moves that have been made since draft night, it’s clear the Thunder has been in acquisition mode. When comparing the current roster to the one that the team closed the past season with, the volume of incoming assets has been much higher than the outgoing.
Outgoing:
Dario Saric (Signed with GSW) Lindy Waters (Unrestricted FA) Olivier Sarr (Unrestricted FA)* Jared Butler (Signed with WAS)* *on two-way contract last season
Incoming:
Davis Bertans (via DAL Trade) Victor Oladipo (via MIA Trade) Usman Garuba (via ATL Trade) TyTy Washington (via ATL Trade) Rudy Gay (via ATL Trade)* Cason Wallace (via Draft) Keyontae Johnson (via Draft) Vasilije Micic (via Free Agency) Jack White (via Free Agency) 2024 Second-Round Pick (via HOU) 2026 Second-Round Pick (via ATL) 2029 Second-Round Pick (via MIA) 2029 Second-Round Pick (via HOU) 2030 Second-Round Pick (via MIA) 2030 Second-Round Pick (via HOU) *later waived
It’s worth noting that just before the 2023 NBA Draft, OKC also made a trade with the Denver Nuggets, trading the worst of the Thunder’s 2024 first-round picks and the No. 37 selection in the 2023 NBA Draft for a top-five protected first rounder in 2029.
Bigger picture, the incoming assets have created a bit of a roster crunch. Oklahoma City now has 20 players on guaranteed NBA contracts for the 2023-24 season. As such, five players will have to be cut before October.
Current Roster:
Aaron Wiggins Aleksej Pokusevski Cason Wallace Chet Holmgren Davis Bertans Isaiah Joe Jack White Jalen Williams Jaylin Williams Jeremiah Robinson-Earl Josh Giddey Kenrich Williams Keyontae Johnson* Lu Dort Ousmane Dieng Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Tre Mann TyTy Washington Usman Garuba Vasilije Micic Victor Oladipo *two-way contract
While at the surface this may lead some to think that the Thunder brought in too many players, that’s not the reality. Worst case Oklahoma City waives five players, which will mean solid players are let go. Even then, most of the players that would likely be cut are guys that were recently acquired as salary dumps and the Thunder was already compensated with six second-round selections for absorbing these contracts. Furthermore, the Thunder could also trade some of the cut candidates and add even more future draft capital, or even make a consolidation trade.
No matter how the remainder of the offseason goes as it relates to the roster decisions, the Thunder made the most of its cap space. Rather than outright signing players with that money, OKC used that space as an asset to acquire picks. This isn’t the traditional method of leveraging available money for most teams, but has become very common for Thunder GM Sam Presti and his front office.
Expect more activity in the coming months for the Thunder, especially creative moves to reduce headcount on the roster. This is a pivotal season as Oklahoma City looks to exit a rebuilding phase and enter a cycle of consistent playoff success over the next decade.