Though the NBA Playoffs are currently in full swing, for the OKC Thunder, the offseason has been underway for just under two weeks now.
After enduring their worst season in franchise history (win-percentage wise) with a 22-50 finish, General Manager Sam Presti now finds himself setting sail towards phase two of Oklahoma City’s full-fledged franchise rebuild, and their first stop along the way will be July’s NBA Draft.
Currently in possession of two first-round picks, with their own having the fourth-best odds to fall into the first overall selection, the Thunder head towards the illustrious night with real potential to come away with some serious young talent to add to their already impressive youth-filled roster.
Of course, in order to make room for these incoming rookies, the front office will have to part ways with players this summer that found themselves logging minutes with the team last season.
Fortunately, the OKC Thunder only have seven players, in specific, that have guaranteed contracts heading into 2021-22, which means that making room for potential offseason additions, be it by means of the draft, free agency, or trade could likely prove to be rather simple.
Perhaps the only hard part is deciding who of those not signed to guaranteed contracts are worth parting with.
This summer, there are several players who find their deals coming off the books so, naturally, the first place the front office will look to clear up space is with their impending free agents.
Now, of course, there are some of these said players that Presti and co. should consider bringing back on new deals. However, of the other players found in this category, we at TI believe there to be 2, in specific, who likely will not be returning to the Thunder’s roster come next year: