OKC Thunder ink Aaron Wiggins to multi-year NBA contract

The move finally happened! Just as we all predicted. The OKC Thunder selected Aaron Wiggins with the 55th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of the University of Maryland. Wiggins was inked to a two-way deal after the draft instead of a standard NBA contract. Much like the undrafted Lu Dort, Wiggins, who was five picks away from being in the same boat, had to prove he belongs in the league.

It did not take long for the 23-year-old to prove to the Oklahoma City Thunder organization that he needs a spot on the varsity roster full time. To be exact, it took 32 games in the National Basketball Association for Mark Daigneault, Sam Presti, and the rest of the organization to decide to keep Aaron Wiggins around long term.

OKC Thunder ink Aaron Wiggins to a long-term NBA contract, after an impressive start to his rookie year on a two-way deal

Wiggins has quickly become a fan favorite within Bricktown, as Mark Daigneault has trusted in to be in the starting lineup for 18 contests out of his 32 games played. Averaging see points, one assist, three rebounds, and nearly a steal per game.

His per 36 numbers leap up to 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal per game. For a rookie, Wiggins plays stellar defense showing a ton of upside on that end of the floor with an organization that prides itself on developing raw defensive talent.

in the mid-range, Wiggins is shooting 36-percent, at the rim he turns in 65-percent, and strokes corner threes at a 36-percent clip. All encouraging signs for the rookie.

The OKC Thunder have signed Aaron Wiggins to a four-year deal worth 6.4-million dollars, team option on the fourth year for OKC. Next year is fully guaranteed, with a non-guaranteed deal in year three.

This maintains Sam Presti’s impressive streak of converting two-way deals to standard NBA contracts. This move, however, is by far more stable than any of the other deals to be converted outside of Lu Dort.