3 ways the new CBA benefits the OKC Thunder this time around

The NBA has added a third two-way slot and changed the contract rules for second-round picks, which benefits OKC Thunder General Manager Sam Presti. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have taken advantage of finding second-round talent and using two-way deals better than any other team in the NBA. So now, the league is adding a third two-way contract per team and restructuring what deals you can issue to second-round picks.

On this current Thunder roster, Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Lindy Waters III, Olivier Sarr, and Jared Butler have spent time on a two-way deal or are currently on a two-way contract. That list expands to Jaylin Williams, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Isaiah Joe, and Kenrich Williams when you factor in second-round picks or undrafted players on the current team.

The OKC Thunder have a treasure chest of second-round draft picks, which will be used in various ways, from attaching them to contracts to get rid of to bringing in veterans and simply using them to bring in prospects.

The Thunder have used their second-round picks to ink them to deal similar to first-rounders, as they did with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Jaylin Williams, and start them on two-way pacts until it makes sense to convert them onto standard deals, which was the case for Aaron Wiggins.

The NBA is broadening the contracts teams can offer to second-round picks, should you hit on your selections. According to Shams Charania, “The NBA/NBPA’s new CBA will create a new Second-Round Pick Exception that can be used so teams will no longer need to dip into the mid-level exception to sign second-rounders.”

As money gets tight down the road for OKC as they begin to pay players, the league creating an expectation to bring in talent for teams that scout and develop well is another big win for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

What do you think of these new CBA rules? Feel free to drop your thoughts below in the comment section.