The Oklahoma City Thunder were the surprise top seed in the Western Conference in 2023-24. While they fell in the second round to the Dallas Mavericks in six games, the team’s youth leads many to believe they can take the next step soon. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the team, but Oklahoma City has numerous pieces that can bring it on both ends. Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that two of those pieces, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, have re-signed.
Thunder Re-Sign 2 Key Reserves To Multi-Year Deals
Isaiah Joe: From Being Waived To Being Paid
Just before the 2022-23 season was to begin, the Philadelphia 76ers waived Joe. He signed with the Thunder a few days later, and after two seasons, he is being rewarded in free agency. Charania reports that Joe’s contract will be a four-year deal worth $48 million.
Free agent sharpshooter Isaiah Joe has agreed to a new four-year, $48 million deal to return to the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Joe joined OKC after being waived by the 76ers in 2022, and now earns a long-term contract. pic.twitter.com/zxpE7H5JgY
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2024
Oklahoma City had an extremely friendly $2.165 million 2024-25 team option for Joe that they declined to sign him to a multi-year deal instead. After not receiving much playing time with the 76ers in his first two seasons, Joe became a reliable reserve for the Thunder. In 2023-24, the 24-year-old guard posted averages of 8.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. In both Oklahoma City seasons, he connected on more than 40% of his threes (41.6% in 2023-24, 40.9% in 2022-23).
Aaron Wiggins: From Being A Late Draft Pick To Being Paid
Much like Joe, the Thunder owned a very cheap team option on Wiggins for the 2024-25 season at just $1.989 million. Also, like Joe, Oklahoma City declined to lock up Wiggins for numerous years. Charania is reporting Wiggins’ deal to be for five years and $47 million.
Sources: The Oklahoma City Thunder and free agent F Aaron Wiggins have agreed to a new five-year, $47 million deal. After OKC declined his $2M team option, Wiggins receives $45M in new money, with a significant raise next season. Thunder lock in a key rotation piece long-term. pic.twitter.com/r5zmEDPX2M
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2024
In the 2021 NBA Draft, Wiggins was among the last players selected. Oklahoma City took him with the 55th overall pick. While the Thunder weren’t a good team in his rookie season, Wiggins still outperformed his draft position and started 35 of his 50 appearances in 2021-22.
Now 25 years old, the six-foot-six Wiggins played in 78 games for the Thunder in 2023-24. His per-game averages comprised 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. While he didn’t attempt three-pointers at a high volume, he was extremely accurate. Last season, he made 62 of his 126 attempts from beyond the arc (49.2%).
