The OKC Thunder are heavily in the luxury tax and avidly working to chop down its potential tax bill. Here are some quick fire moves that save OKC millions.
As it stands, the OKC Thunder are on the books for a $160-million-dollar tax bill. While the pockets of millionaires are an after thought for every NBA fan, there is a limit to spending someone else’s money.
The luxury tax is a real thing, paid by real people using real money. While Oklahoma City’s ownership declared its willingness to pay the tax this offseason, it will be done within reason. Its not a free-for-all, contrary to what you may believe.
With that being said, Oklahoma City have a bunch of expiring deals on its books. The Thunder are working with Carmelo Anthony‘s representatives to trade, buy-out or stretch the former All Star.
Melo’s deal is expiring but its by far the most difficult to move. $27.9-million-dollars is a fair chunk of money, particularly in a climate as tight as the NBA is currently. Either way, OKC stand to save over $100-million-dollars if Anthony’s full amount is stretched over three seasons.
ESPN Sources with @royceyoung: Oklahoma City, Carmelo Anthony will part ways this summer, likely saving team over $100M. Thunder working with 'Melo's reps on exits that include trade, stretch provision. Story: https://t.co/mJbxINv2Cd
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2018
However, OKC can save even more money by moving players outside the rotation. For argument sake, lets assume Anthony’s contract is still on the books. By moving the following contracts, OKC stand to save millions.
*NOTE: The following contracts are not compounded on one another. Savings were calculated on the basis of their individual deals being moved.
Kyle Singler
Prior to his arrival in Oklahoma City, Kyle Singler averaged 7.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 25 minutes per game for the Detroit Pistons. At the time, the former Blue Devil was seen as a long-term back-up for All Star Kevin Durant. The Thunder consequently signed him to a four-year, 20-million-dollar extension.
But that’s when it all went downhill.
One season into his deal, his play rapidly declined. He fouled at an alarming rate and couldn’t hit the side of a barn from beyond the arc. In what was seen as a bargain deal quickly became dead money. Singler was virtually immovable and OKC couldn’t find a trade partner without surrendering a future first-round pick.
Finally, Singler’s deal is coming to an end. He is guaranteed almost five-million-dollars this season but is team controlled next year. Unless teams want him for a veteran presence, he is likely to be waived making his contract an expiring one.
Clubs seeking assets like the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks are logical destinations as they have the necessary space to absorb his deal without sending back salary. Attaching Singler with a future second-round pick ought to get the deal done. This allows the Thunder to save almost $31-million-dollars.
Dakari Johnson
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Dakari Johnson is a throwback center whose game is outdated in the NBA. He’s not overly athletic, an average rounder and lacks a mid-range game. Johnson is an old-school, back to the basket player who struggles to shoot outside 15 feet. While he is only 23-years-old, his game doesn’t translate into the modern NBA.
If you based his play solely on the NBA Summer League than he’d be someone every team would clamor for. In fact, his great play in Vegas warrants trying to move him right now while there are tangible assets to discuss.
While Johnson’s $1.38-million-dollar paycheck is hardly a back breaker, the Thunder can save $9.7-million-dollars by trading him. Coupling the big man with Singler and a second-round pick seems like the most logical way to move him. The Thunder can then sign a rookie to a minimum deal to take his place.
Alex Abrines
Alex Abrines provides Oklahoma City with the biggest conundrum. He is one of OKC’s best perimeter shooters (career 38 percent) and shows flashes of being a decent defender. In last year’s playoffs, the Spaniard played outstanding defense on rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell. At his very best, Abrines offers whiffs of two-way play. However, its hard to get excited when there’s three years of poor defensive play.
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Set to make approximately $4.5-million-dollars this season, Abrines’ expiring contract and ability to shoot the long ball will garner serious interest on the market. After losing snipers Marco Bellinelli and Ersan Ilyasova to free agency, the Philadelphia 76ers are hunting for perimeter shooting to compliment the play-making of rising star Ben $Simmons.
Another team who is likely to be interested is the Los Angeles Lakers. After acquiring LeBron James, the Lakers have assembled a team built for the 1998 NBA season. With no shooting in sight, LA stands to be one of the worst perimeter shooting teams in the league.
Quantifying what OKC can get is difficult. With teams infatuated by perimeter play, Presti could potentially extract a future first for him. In the event OKC receive no returning salary, the Thunder could save around $34-million-dollars.
Final Word
Of the three players mentioned above, only Singler and Johnson are likely to be moved. Abrines played his way back into the rotation last season after falling out for a stretch of games. He made a key three in Oklahoma City’s 25-point Game 5 comeback last season against the Utah Jazz and figures to be a better player this coming year.
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Singler and Johnson are an after thought. Both aren’t close to entering the rotation and provide no real depth. Moving their contracts and signing two rookies to minimum deals is the smartest choice.