Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Why the OKC Thunder exercised two back-court contract options.

By Matthew Hallett

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts following a go-ahead field goal during the fourth quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on December 26, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts following a go-ahead field goal during the fourth quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on December 26, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The OKC Thunder continued to make moves in the offseason, this time exercising two backcourt options to go along with Darius Bazley’s option being exercised.

The OKC Thunder are the most active team in the NBA in terms of roster management. They continued their offseason momentum this week by exercising the options of Darius Bazley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Ty Jerome.

We are yet to see Jerome play this season due to a left ankle injury. He came over in the Thunder in the Chris Paul trade after playing 31 games last season for the Suns averaging 3.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.5 steals in just 10.6 minutes per game.

There are a few reasons the OKC Thunder are looking to keep the 6’5″ shooting guard. Firstly they want to see how he will go with the team and they can’t do that until he is healthy. Secondly, he may be a good piece to finalize a trade, or thirdly the Thunder are most probably shopping George Hill and Jerome will be used more when Hill is gone.

Why the OKC Thunder exercised Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s option.

More from Thunderous Intentions

To say that the OKC Thunder exercised SGA’s option because he is the future of the franchise is to over-simplify the issue. Yes, it was a no-brainer to exercise SGA’s option, you get a star-caliber player for $5.5 million for next season.

This means the Thunder have just under $62 million in committed salary next season with a growing Bazley, an extremely talented backcourt in SGA, and Luguentz Dort with the veteran presence of Al Horford in the middle.

Add to this the Thunder should have one or two top ten picks from the 2021 draft and it is becoming a team very much on the rise. They then have the salary-cap space to offer a disgruntled star.

They also have enough draft capital to interest teams in trading away some solid players who might not be performing well for their franchise. Looking even further forward the Thunder only have $47 million in committed salary in the 2022-23 season.

Next. George Hill a hot commodity around the NBA. dark

This will be the season the Thunder hopes to have SGA locked up with a rookie extension and they have the space to do this while adding talent around him. This could be one of the quickest rebuilds in league history and it centers around the prodigious talent of SGA.

Home/Thunder News