The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night for two second-round draft picks. Fans knew they would try to trim payroll, but it is clear that Sam Presti plans to dodge the second apron. OKC dumped Wiggins’ $9.0 million salary for next season. It opened up a roster spot and put the Thunder $19.5 milion over the second apron. Presti has more work to do.
The Thunder’s payroll is expanding with max extensions for Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams kicking in. They have no plans of dealing Holmgren or any of the Big 3. Presti has planned for this moment, but fans were unsure what the Thunder would do.
The plan became clear with Sunday’s trade. OKC was comfortable taking back two second-round picks and freeing up the $9.0 million. That is likely just the start for the Thunder. They have two 2026 first-round draft picks to make room for and are still over the second apron.
Aaron Wiggins trade signals Sam Presti plans on getting Thunder under the second apron
Fans knew trades were coming. Wiggins and Isaiah Joe were the two most obvious trade candidates. They were on the fringes of the playoff rotation and combined to make more than $20 million in the 2026-27 season. It was an easy way to trim payroll and save the franchise millions.
Entering the offseason, Oklahoma City had a projected tax penalty of $213M.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 22, 2026
The trade reduces that number to $152M.
The Thunder enter the Tuesday Draft with two picks in the top-17 (no. 12 and 17). https://t.co/Oucm1QefBM
Presti doesn’t want the restrictions that come with the second apron. He wouldn’t be able to take back more money than the Thunder send out in a trade and more. Fans know Presti loves building his roster and capitalizing on opportunities. He just unexpectedly traded for Jared McCain at the deadline. Presti also knows the Thunder get even more expensive in the 2027-28 season.
Now is not the time to exceed the second apron. The Thunder have to keep shedding salary and get under the line. Luguentz Dort is rumored to be on the trade block. Presti can’t trade him to the Lakers, but he will likely explore the market for the 3-and-D wing. Joe and Kenrich Williams could also be gone. The Thunder also want to sign Isaiah Hartenstein to a long-term deal at a lesser starting salary.
OKC wants to chase a championship in 2027. They will stay in contention, but need to retool the roster. Expect them to add a couple of talented rookies to replace the talent that goes out. Wiggins is in Atlanta, and more moves are coming.
The Oklahoma City Thunder clearly want to dodge the second apron, and Sunday’s trade was only the beginning. They saved more than $9.0 million and added some draft capital. Expect Sam Presti to keep stockpiling picks as the Thunder look to get their spending in order.
Credit to Presti for building such a talented roster. He got two first-round picks for a player who wasn’t even in the playoff rotation. That is exactly why the general manager is the best in the business. Expect more outstanding moves from Presti. That is just what he does.
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