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In today's NBA, it's become incredibly difficult for teams to keep the players they draft together for the long haul. In a league where even quality role players can command contracts worth tens of millions of dollars, front offices are constantly faced with impossible financial decisions. To make matters even more challenging, many organizations feel they are being financially and structurally punished for trying to retain the homegrown talent they spent years developing.
Although Oklahoma City built its roster through elite drafting and player development, the NBA's second-apron salary cap restrictions and escalating luxury tax penalties have made it increasingly difficult to keep every key contributor. Even championship-caliber teams are forced to make painful roster decisions.
The good news for the Thunder is they have Sam Presti running the front office. Time and time again, Presti has proven he's one of the best executives in basketball, and there's every reason to believe he'll continue finding ways to keep Oklahoma City among the NBA's elite for years to come.
Aaron Wiggins' heartfelt farewell only reinforces how difficult those decisions can be.
"With the 55th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder select Aaron Wiggins."
Wiggins wrote:
"To the OKC fans,
For the last five years Oklahoma City has been where I called home. You guys embraced me and my family with open arms, kindness, love and support since the beginning and for that I am forever grateful. Wearing the No. 21 jersey with Oklahoma City across my chest was an honor, and I'll always be grateful for the love you showed me.
To the staff, coaches and entire organization, thank you for believing in me from day one and always pushing me to be the best player I can be.
To my teammates, thank you for becoming family. I'll always appreciate the memories we created. The championship we won together is something that can never be taken away from us.
As I begin this next chapter, I leave with nothing but love and appreciation. This organization and this city will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for everything."
What cannot be disputed is that the NBA's current Collective Bargaining Agreement makes it much harder to build and sustain a homegrown contender. That is simply the reality of today's league.
While Commissioner Adam Silver deserves credit for implementing changes that have created greater parity across the NBA, the current system also discourages teams from keeping championship cores intact.
For Thunder fans, that's a frustrating tradeoff. Oklahoma City has assembled a roster capable of competing for multiple championships, but the league's financial rules make it increasingly difficult to keep that group together over the long term.
That's an area the NBA should continue evaluating in future CBA negotiations.
Continue reading...
Although Oklahoma City built its roster through elite drafting and player development, the NBA's second-apron salary cap restrictions and escalating luxury tax penalties have made it increasingly difficult to keep every key contributor. Even championship-caliber teams are forced to make painful roster decisions.
The good news for the Thunder is they have Sam Presti running the front office. Time and time again, Presti has proven he's one of the best executives in basketball, and there's every reason to believe he'll continue finding ways to keep Oklahoma City among the NBA's elite for years to come.
Aaron Wiggins' heartfelt farewell only reinforces how difficult those decisions can be.
"With the 55th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder select Aaron Wiggins."
Wiggins wrote:
"To the OKC fans,
For the last five years Oklahoma City has been where I called home. You guys embraced me and my family with open arms, kindness, love and support since the beginning and for that I am forever grateful. Wearing the No. 21 jersey with Oklahoma City across my chest was an honor, and I'll always be grateful for the love you showed me.
To the staff, coaches and entire organization, thank you for believing in me from day one and always pushing me to be the best player I can be.
To my teammates, thank you for becoming family. I'll always appreciate the memories we created. The championship we won together is something that can never be taken away from us.
As I begin this next chapter, I leave with nothing but love and appreciation. This organization and this city will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for everything."
What cannot be disputed is that the NBA's current Collective Bargaining Agreement makes it much harder to build and sustain a homegrown contender. That is simply the reality of today's league.
While Commissioner Adam Silver deserves credit for implementing changes that have created greater parity across the NBA, the current system also discourages teams from keeping championship cores intact.
For Thunder fans, that's a frustrating tradeoff. Oklahoma City has assembled a roster capable of competing for multiple championships, but the league's financial rules make it increasingly difficult to keep that group together over the long term.
That's an area the NBA should continue evaluating in future CBA negotiations.
Continue reading...
