Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Will Guillory: Just want to make sure I'm on record saying any talk of trading Trey Murphy is absolute insanity

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Oklahoma City Thunder have some decisions to make this offseason after losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will reportedly let his voice be heard despite previous comments suggesting he won't have any impact. "I was told, though, that Shai was playing a little bit coy there," ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported Monday (three-minute mark). "He will at least remind Sam Presti and the Thunder management just how much he values having Lu Dort as his teammate. Remember, those two are tied for the longest tenures of the guys on the roster right now. And, they spend their summers together playing for Team Canada."

[HoosierDaddyKid]

More and more, with sources saying Miami and Portland are already in pursuit, Antetokounmpo's future is increasingly expected to be resolved over the next few weeks in conjunction with NBA Draft proceedings.

marcstein.substack.com

[Smitty]

How about PJ for Wiggins and Joe ($20.5mm combined vs $19.8mm for PJ) and #12.  It saves OKC about $6.5mm

That's a lot closer to what I think is more in line with reality. I don't see them trading Wallace, period. Wiggins and Joe are by far the most likely to be traded IMO. 

It doesn't solve much for them though. $6.5M isn't nothing, but still a long way to go for them to skirt A2. 

This trade is legal on draft night, but the new league year would require the Thunder get under A2 for salary aggregation. Something to keep in mind.

They could just as easily save $5.97M (#12 slot) by trading it for a future first. They'll need to love PJW. I'd do it from the Mavs side. And I love PJW...

[Chicagojk]

I don't feel PJ is an OKC Thunder player.  I mean their gameplan for the playoff series was to leave PJ open because they didn't think PJ could make them pay.  He did.  Still though, I think he has some qualities but I think he misses some pretty big things they prioritize.

With that being said, if they were interested I think that would make me want to keep him even more

[DanSchwartzgan]

That's a lot closer to what I think is more in line with reality. I don't see them trading Wallace, period. Wiggins and Joe are by far the most likely to be traded IMO. 

It doesn't solve much for them though. $6.5M isn't nothing, but still a long way to go for them to skirt A2. 

This trade is legal on draft night, but the new league year would require the Thunder get under A2 for salary aggregation. Something to keep in mind.

They could just as easily save $5.97M (#12 slot) by trading it for a future first. They'll need to love PJW. I'd do it from the Mavs side. And I love PJW...

I listened to a little OKC content yesterday including some reacting to the PJ "rumors" (does this even qualifiy as a rumor or is it more of an internet creation).  You are right about Wallace.  One commentator had him 4th on the list of team priorities right behind the Big 3.  Caruso, McCain and Mitchell are the keeper guards behind Shai and Wallace and it is believed they will find a way to keep Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams.  

I don't think they will swap a current year pick for future draft capital.  They need to win now and have plenty of capital for later.  

Saving $6.5mm does matter to them as do the roster spots and they don't have to solve all of their issues in one trade.

With that said, they certainly don't have to use assets on PJ.  There are plenty of other opportunities around the league.  FWIW, one thing I listened to liked PJ a lot for OKC and didn't hesitate to give up Joe and Wiggins to better balance the roster.  They didn't think giving up 12 was too much for PJ and didn't think Dallas would do it without that pick.

Edit: Just saw this from McMahon:

Fullcourtpass
@Fullcourtpass
The most likely candidates to be moved in a trade to rebalance the Thunder roster are Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, per
@BannedMacMahon

[Smitty]

I listened to a little OKC content yesterday including some reacting to the PJ "rumors" (does this even qualifiy as a rumor or is it more of an internet creation).  You are right about Wallace.  One commentator had him 4th on the list of team priorities right behind the Big 3.  Caruso, McCain and Mitchell are the keeper guards behind Shai and Wallace and it is believed they will find a way to keep Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams.  

I don't think they will swap a current year pick for future draft capital.  They need to win now and have plenty of capital for later.  

Saving $6.5mm does matter to them as do the roster spots and they don't have to solve all of their issues in one trade.

With that said, they certainly don't have to use assets on PJ.  There are plenty of other opportunities around the league.  FWIW, one thing I listened to liked PJ a lot for OKC and didn't hesitate to give up Joe and Wiggins to better balance the roster.  They didn't think giving up 12 was too much for PJ and didn't think Dallas would do it without that pick.

Edit:  Just saw this from McMahon:

Fullcourtpass
@Fullcourtpass
The most likely candidates to be moved in a trade to rebalance the Thunder roster are Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, per
@BannedMacMahon

"PJ "rumors" (does this even qualifiy as a rumor or is it more of an internet creation)."
Internet creation for sure, but makes some sense for both teams, so worth talking about...

"They didn't think giving up 12 was too much for PJ and didn't think Dallas would do it without that pick."
Of course I'm not doing it without the Pick if I'm the Mavs. That is the "get". Joe and Wiggins are fine, but PJW is a much better player than both. 6'7 2-way Wings are much harder to find.



Playing it out with the suggested players selected at 9 & 12...

Kyrie | #9 Pick | Nembhard (Club Option 6/29)
Max | I. Joe | Klay
Naji | Wiggins | Martin
Flagg | #12 Pick | #30 Pick
Lively | Gafford

#48 Pick - TwoWay
Own UFA's: Middleton, Bagley, B-Will, Powell
Own RFA's: Cisse
Waive: AJJ
MLE
TPE
BAE

Flagg is a 3/4 so #12 can be a Wing like Carr/Lopez/Ament or a Big like M. Johnson/Steinbach.

In my perfect world I'd draft Brown Jr./Burries (9), MoJo/Ament (12), Zuby/Graves/Karaban (30), BPA (48)

[DanSchwartzgan]

Playing it out with the suggested players selected at 9 & 12...

Kyrie | #9 Pick | Nembhard (Club Option 6/29)
Max | I. Joe | Klay
Naji | Wiggins | Martin
Flagg | #12 Pick | #30 Pick
Lively | Gafford

#48 Pick - TwoWay
Own UFA's: Middleton, Bagley, B-Will, Powell
Own RFA's: Cisse
Waive: AJJ
MLE
TPE
BAE

Flagg is a 3/4 so #12 can be a Wing like Carr/Lopez/Ament or a Big like M. Johnson/Steinbach.

In my perfect world I'd draft Brown Jr./Burries (9), MoJo/Ament (12), Zuby/Graves/Karaban (30), BPA (48)

That would be quite the jump start to rebuilding.  If 12 is Morez and he can get some time at C and at PF, then I'd probably keep Middleton for Vet leadership and TDL optionality.  I'd prefer to keep him and move Klay if we had I. Joe.  

I'd love to find a way to keep Cisse either as 15th man or as a two-way.  Having him and Morez makes Gafford expendible at the TDL if Lively proves to be healthy.

[mvossman]

That's a lot closer to what I think is more in line with reality. I don't see them trading Wallace, period. Wiggins and Joe are by far the most likely to be traded IMO. 

It doesn't solve much for them though. $6.5M isn't nothing, but still a long way to go for them to skirt A2. 

This trade is legal on draft night, but the new league year would require the Thunder get under A2 for salary aggregation. Something to keep in mind.

They could just as easily save $5.97M (#12 slot) by trading it for a future first. They'll need to love PJW. I'd do it from the Mavs side. And I love PJW...

Wouldn't OKC save more by dumping those two players (probably for small assets) and using that pick to draft Yaxel than trading for PJ?  Then they can trade the other pick for future assets.  The fact that we would pull that trigger without thinking makes it unlikely Presti will.

[Smitty]

Wouldn't OKC save more by dumping those two players (probably for small assets) and using that pick to draft Yaxel than trading for PJ?  Then they can trade the other pick for future assets.  The fact that we would pull that trigger without thinking makes it unlikely Presti will.

Everything we discuss here is unlikely to happen...

[DallasMaverick]

The Oklahoma City Thunder have some decisions to make this offseason after losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will reportedly let his voice be heard despite previous comments suggesting he won't have any impact. "I was told, though, that Shai was playing a little bit coy there," ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported Monday (three-minute mark). "He will at least remind Sam Presti and the Thunder management just how much he values having Lu Dort as his teammate. Remember, those two are tied for the longest tenures of the guys on the roster right now. And, they spend their summers together playing for Team Canada."

Sure. Just have him agree to a vet minimum contract, and they can continue to play together for a long time!

[vfromlmf]

Favorite idea I've seen so far is trading PJW to OKC for Morez Johnson (+ Joe and Wiggins)

Fans in OKC call PJW a Thunder killer. I think the deal would be very well received on the OKC side whether it cost them 12 or 17

A Dallas frontcourt of Flagg + MoJo + Lively could look like a supercharged Michigan with Lendeborg + MoJo + Mara. Add Naji to the rotation and you'd have four guys who can't shoot but Dallas would be hell on defense.

MoJo as a PJW replacement is pretty interesting. PJ was a total non-shooter in college and had an even worse projection than MoJo.

Kyrie + #9 + Christie + Joe + Wiggins is solid guard depth

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Favorite idea I've seen so far is trading PJW to OKC for Morez Johnson (+ Joe and Wiggins)

Fans in OKC call PJW a Thunder killer. I think the deal would be very well received on the OKC side whether it cost them 12 or 17

A Dallas frontcourt of Flagg + MoJo + Lively could look like a supercharged Michigan with Lendeborg + MoJo + Mara. Add Naji to the rotation and you'd have four guys who can't shoot but Dallas would be hell on defense.

MoJo as a PJW replacement is pretty interesting. PJ was a total non-shooter in college and had an even worse projection than MoJo.

Kyrie + #9 + Christie + Joe + Wiggins is solid guard depth

The 64-dollar question is, what does Presti think about this deal?  I'm pretty sure he's going to get other offers that may be more favorable, and he may not want to help a conference rival.

[michaeltex]

Wouldn't OKC save more by dumping those two players (probably for small assets) and using that pick to draft Yaxel than trading for PJ?  Then they can trade the other pick for future assets.  The fact that we would pull that trigger without thinking makes it unlikely Presti will.

Am I wrong in thinking that the clock is ticking for OKC to do something before July 1st? Their 2026/27 payroll, if you include all the TOs is going to be $250M+ with all 15 slots filled, without a spot for their FRPs, which is another $10M+ if they stay at 12 and 17. Don't they get into A2 restrictions once that happens?

Aren't there moves they need to make while still in this contract year?

IIRC, this whole salary cap structure was developed to make it financially painful for teams to hoard talent for years. GSW was doing it at the time and now it looks like it's going to take a bite out of OKC. SAS isn't that far behind. They have one more year of cheap Wemby, then he'll get Super Maxxed and they will be flirting with $200M and only 7 slots signed.

[mvossman]

Am I wrong in thinking that the clock is ticking for OKC to do something before July 1st? Their 2026/27 payroll, if you include all the TOs is going to be $250M+ with all 15 slots filled, without a spot for their FRPs, which is another $10M+ if they stay at 12 and 17. Don't they get into A2 restrictions once that happens?

Aren't there moves they need to make while still in this contract year?

IIRC, this whole salary cap structure was developed to make it financially painful for teams to hoard talent for years. GSW was doing it at the time and now it looks like it's going to take a bite out of OKC. SAS isn't that far behind. They have one more year of cheap Wemby, then he'll get Super Maxxed and they will be flirting with $200M and only 7 slots signed.

Sure, which is why I doubt taking on PJ 22 mil salary is going to be their best solution.

[Smitty]

Am I wrong in thinking that the clock is ticking for OKC to do something before July 1st? Their 2026/27 payroll, if you include all the TOs is going to be $250M+ with all 15 slots filled, without a spot for their FRPs, which is another $10M+ if they stay at 12 and 17. Don't they get into A2 restrictions once that happens?

Aren't there moves they need to make while still in this contract year?

IIRC, this whole salary cap structure was developed to make it financially painful for teams to hoard talent for years. GSW was doing it at the time and now it looks like it's going to take a bite out of OKC. SAS isn't that far behind. They have one more year of cheap Wemby, then he'll get Super Maxxed and they will be flirting with $200M and only 7 slots signed.

Yes, they will definitely be active before the new league year. They have 3 club options they will decide on or before 6/29. Hartenstein ($28.5M), Dort ($17.7M), K. Williams ($7.1M). Safe to assume they will decline K-Will. Someone here mentioned a decline and resign of Hartenstein and/or Dort being a real possibility also. BUT, if all they do is decline K-Will, they're at 14 guaranteed spots with still having P.12 & P.17, so they'd have to waive one of their other guaranteed contracts eventually, if they make both selections, which is simply not happening.

That's why the board has talked about OKC a lot lately. They will absolutely do something the next 3-4 weeks... I. Joe ($11.3M) and A. Wiggins ($9.0M) fit into a lot of TE's, which includes the MLE. Highly likely that one or both are moved.

[Smitty]

Sure, which is why I doubt taking on PJ 22 mil salary is going to be their best solution.

PJW makes $19.8M next season, not sure where you get $22M.

The proposal Dan made was basically a 3-1, which clears up roster spots (which they need) and money (which they need) while turning back court abundance into a needed front court player.

Joe+Wiggins+P.12 is $26.3M, which is $6.5M in savings, turning it into PJW, and opens a roster spot. One of which can be P.17 ($4.6M), or they can try and find a taker there for a future pick, to save the $$.

It's unlikely, of course, but not unreasonable since there was a lot of chatter online about PJW and the Thunder yesterday... for whatever reason.

[F Gump]

Yes, they will definitely be active before the new league year. They have 3 club options they will decide on or before 6/29. Hartenstein ($28.5M), Dort ($17.7M), K. Williams ($7.1M). Safe to assume they will decline K-Will. Someone here mentioned a decline and resign of Hartenstein and/or Dort being a real possibility also. BUT, if all they do is decline K-Will, they're at 14 guaranteed spots with still having P.12 & P.17, so they'd have to waive one of their other guaranteed contracts eventually, if they make both selections, which is simply not happening.

That's why the board has talked about OKC a lot lately. They will absolutely do something the next 3-4 weeks... I. Joe ($11.3M) and A. Wiggins ($9.0M) fit into a lot of TE's, which includes the MLE. Highly likely that one or both are moved.

You are already aware, but it has to be emphasized that the hard cap looming on July 1 complicates things considerably for OKC moves in June as well. 

I havent looked it up, but I suspect that they can't have future salaries on the books for July 1 that exceed A2 and then do an A2-prohibited move in June. As a result, they MIGHT have to decline options in June, and then re-sign in July (if they intend to keep Hartn and/or Dort) to allow them to clean up their payroll first in July. In June there are no MLEs available to take some of their players, and otber teams' cap space can be smaller in June since soon-expiring contracts are still on the books.

[mvossman]

PJW makes $19.8M next season, not sure where you get $22M.

The proposal Dan made was basically a 3-1, which clears up roster spots (which they need) and money (which they need) while turning back court abundance into a needed front court player.

Joe+Wiggins+P.12 is $26.3M, which is $6.5M in savings, turning it into PJW, and opens a roster spot. One of which can be P.17 ($4.6M), or they can try and find a taker there for a future pick, to save the $$.

It's unlikely, of course, but not unreasonable since there was a lot of chatter online about PJW and the Thunder yesterday... for whatever reason.

22 is his AAV for 4 years.  That seems like a huge commitment for a team with massive cap issues.  There is talk of them letting Dort walk.  I find it hard to believe they are going to dump Dort and then trade for a more expensive PJ.  If I was OKC, I would send out Hartenstein, Dort, Joe and Wiggins for as much assets as I can and as little salary back as I can.  Then I would draft Morez at 12 who is a perfect fit next to Chet and might be your best bet against Wemby.

[michaeltex]

You are already aware, but it has to be emphasized that the hard cap looming on July 1 complicates things considerably for OKC moves in June as well. 

I havent looked it up, but I suspect that they can't have future salaries on the books for July 1 that exceed A2 and then do an A2-prohibited move in June. As a result, they MIGHT have to decline options in June, and then re-sign in July (if they intend to keep Hartn and/or Dort) to allow them to clean up their payroll first in July. In June there are no MLEs available to take some of their players, and otber teams' cap space can be smaller in June since soon-expiring contracts are still on the books.

So, OKC has 4 weeks from today to make moves under the current cap restrictions.

IF, they want to do something involving 2026 draft picks, that window is only 3 weeks from today.

The same parameters might apply to some other teams as well...

Could be an interesting month in NBA-land.