The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently the fifth seed in the Western Conference. After trading away Russell Westbrook and Paul George this offseason, the Thunder looked like they were going to go into rebuilding mode. However, because of great play from the team, they have proved the doubters wrong this season. Due to the play of the team, the assets they have acquired, and the bad contracts expiring in two to three years, the Thunder are in a good spot moving forward.
The Oklahoma City Thunder Are in a Good Spot
Great Play From the Current Roster
The Thunder this year became an island of misfit toys by acquiring players from teams that were trying to unload them. Dennis Schroder, who was traded from the Atlanta Hawks in 2018 for Carmelo Anthony, has had a career year. He is putting up the second-highest point total (19 points per game) and having the best shooting efficiency of his career.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the sophomore guard from the Paul George trade, has made the improvement the Thunder were anticipating. As a starter, he has increased his points per game from 11 as a rookie to 19 this year.
Danilo Gallinari, who was also included in the Paul George trade, has maintained his 19 points per game scoring average that he had last year.
Chris Paul, who the Houston Rockets wanted to unload, became an all-star this year for the first time since 2016. It’s safe to say this team exceeded expectations.
Assets the Oklahoma City Thunder Have Acquired
The trades that the Thunder made this offseason were primarily for the draft compensation they were receiving. For the Russell Westbrook trade, the Thunder received 2024 and 2026 first-round picks and the rights to swap 2021 and 2025 first-round picks. There are protections on these picks but three are top four protected and one is top ten protected.
The Thunder also acquired a Denver Nuggets 2020 first-round pick (top ten protected) for Jerami Grant. For the Paul George trade, which the Thunder received Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the always solid Danilo Gallinari, was also high in draft compensation.
The Thunder received the Los Angeles Clippers 2022, 2024, and 2026 first-round picks. They can also swap first-round picks with the Clippers in 2023 and 2025. Then they received the Miami Heat’s first-round picks in 2021 and 2023 (top 14 protected). The Thunder have a surplus of first-round picks in the coming years.
Bad Contracts Soon to be Expiring
While the Thunder are trying to rebuild, they are also stuck with the bad contracts they took on from the trades they made. Paul, who is 35, is owed $41 and $44 million over the next two seasons. Steven Adams, who averaged 11 points and nine rebounds this season, is owed $27 million next year.
The good news for the Thunder is that these contracts are almost expired. Gallinari is becoming a free agent this summer and his $22 million is coming off the books. Schroder and Adams will both be off the payroll (if they aren’t traded) after next season. Paul is currently rumored to be traded to the New York Knicks which would be ideal for the Thunder. Even if he isn’t traded, he is only under contract for two more years. The Thunder are in a good spot with their contract situation.
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