- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,200,333
- Reaction score
- 59
Every basketball analyst and fan knew the Oklahoma City Thunder were going to have to make some big moves this season.
The deepest and most talented team in the league had two 1st round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, only 15 roster spots and a growing salary cap and luxury tax bill. Some longtime fan favorites were likely to be traded away and hopefully some other fan favorites would sign extensions to stick around awhile longer.
And before the New York Knicks fans have even recovered from their championship celebration, the Thunder wheels are already in motion.
Let's catch up on all the big Oklahoma City moves over the past week along with a quick analysis of each transaction.
Aaron Wiggins traded to the Atlanta Hawks. The man who saved basketball went from being the #55 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to a player that scored 20 points in an NBA Finals game. Wiggins' championship celebration speech is an all time OKC Thunder moment. But this was a win win win trade. Atlanta gets a great role player on a great contract. Oklahoma City gets two 2nd Round picks, sheds salary and frees open a roster spot. And Wiggins will be able to shine in a prominent bench role on a young playoff team.
Isaiah Joe traded to the Detroit Pistons. The greatest 3 point specialist in Thunder history. Joe splashed 736 total 3 pointers in his four seasons plus the playoffs in his OKC career. And once a year, he reminded everyone that he might also be the best dunker on the team. A carbon copy of the Wiggins trade in that it was a win win win for every single reason listed in the above paragraph.
Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz and Otega Oweh drafted. Sam Presti selected the best center prospect in the class at #12. Mara is an elite 7'3" rim protector, playmaker and paint scorer. Presti then selected possibly the best game processor in the class at #16. Stirtz is a top tier shooter, playmaker and shot creator. Presti then selected a tough, defensive minded wing with offensive upside at #41. Don't be surprised if Oweh ends up getting a real NBA contract down the road.
Isaiah Hartenstein signs a new three year contract. An absolute home run signing. One of the most important players on the Thunder's championship roster inks a deal to stay in OKC for $25 million a year. A massive win for OKC's sustained contender status. But maybe the biggest winner here is the actual city of Oklahoma City. Hartenstein and his family are a fixture in the community, supporting many causes and hosting countless events with The Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation.
Continue reading...
The deepest and most talented team in the league had two 1st round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, only 15 roster spots and a growing salary cap and luxury tax bill. Some longtime fan favorites were likely to be traded away and hopefully some other fan favorites would sign extensions to stick around awhile longer.
And before the New York Knicks fans have even recovered from their championship celebration, the Thunder wheels are already in motion.
Let's catch up on all the big Oklahoma City moves over the past week along with a quick analysis of each transaction.
Aaron Wiggins traded to the Atlanta Hawks. The man who saved basketball went from being the #55 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to a player that scored 20 points in an NBA Finals game. Wiggins' championship celebration speech is an all time OKC Thunder moment. But this was a win win win trade. Atlanta gets a great role player on a great contract. Oklahoma City gets two 2nd Round picks, sheds salary and frees open a roster spot. And Wiggins will be able to shine in a prominent bench role on a young playoff team.
Isaiah Joe traded to the Detroit Pistons. The greatest 3 point specialist in Thunder history. Joe splashed 736 total 3 pointers in his four seasons plus the playoffs in his OKC career. And once a year, he reminded everyone that he might also be the best dunker on the team. A carbon copy of the Wiggins trade in that it was a win win win for every single reason listed in the above paragraph.
Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz and Otega Oweh drafted. Sam Presti selected the best center prospect in the class at #12. Mara is an elite 7'3" rim protector, playmaker and paint scorer. Presti then selected possibly the best game processor in the class at #16. Stirtz is a top tier shooter, playmaker and shot creator. Presti then selected a tough, defensive minded wing with offensive upside at #41. Don't be surprised if Oweh ends up getting a real NBA contract down the road.
Isaiah Hartenstein signs a new three year contract. An absolute home run signing. One of the most important players on the Thunder's championship roster inks a deal to stay in OKC for $25 million a year. A massive win for OKC's sustained contender status. But maybe the biggest winner here is the actual city of Oklahoma City. Hartenstein and his family are a fixture in the community, supporting many causes and hosting countless events with The Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation.
Continue reading...
