Throughout the season, former OKC Thunder players have oft found themselves making headline news.
From Ty Jerome's resurgence in the league as a spark plug sixth man for the Cleveland Cavaliers to Josh Giddey's breakout into stardom during this back half of the year with the Bulls, it's become quite evident that 2024-25 has been a rather busy year for ex-Oklahoma City representatives.
Of course, these players aren't just making waves with their on-court play.
In fact, former Thunder big, Dario Saric (who was with the team in 2022-23) has recently turned heads with his expected decision-making off the floor, as recent news suggests the regular DNP recipient is set to strong-arm his current employers, the Denver Nuggets, by locking in his final year under contract.
Former Thunder Dario Saric set to pick up 2025-26 option with Nuggets
Despite rumblings of possible interest from overseas ball clubs, according to a recent report by Bennet Durando of The Denver Post, Saric is believed to be set on turning down any offers that come his way and, instead, returning to Denver for the 2025-26 season by exercising his $5.4 million option
Though on the surface, such a figure is far from egregious -- especially in today's day and age where some are slated to cash in on deals that could earn them as high as $81.4 million in a single season -- when it comes to a team with as high of a payroll as Denver, this type of contract for an end-of-bench guy is rather crippling.
As things currently stand, the Nuggets are set to not only dip into the luxury tax, which is set at $187.9 million, but they are on track to surpass the league's first apron threshold of $195.9 million with their expected payroll of $203.5 million.
Considering they have a tantalizing trio of three-time MVP in Nikola Jokic, the borderline All-Star Jamal Murray, and elite two-way forward Aaron Gordon all in their primes and under contract through at least 2027-28, it should go without saying that this team will be looking to contend for their second championship throughout the coming years.
Of course, with the rise of the current title-favorite OKC Thunder, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs waiting to gain full-health and a presumed top pick in this year's draft, and the rejuvenated LeBron James, Luka Doncic-led Lakers all in the same conference, vying for title number two is only bound to become more challenging as the seasons roll by.
Financial flexibility will be crucial for any West-based team trying to keep up with these aforementioned juggernauts in the race for the conference crown, as such a luxury frees up pathways to execute successful free agency moves and splashy deals on the trade market.
Sadly, Denver seems to be in for a rude awakening on this front with their current salary situation.
Adding a guaranteed payday of over $5 million to a practically unplayable Dario Saric (3.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 16 games this year) into the mix only worsens their already undesirable situation.