On Friday, the OKC Thunder traded shooting guard Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for a pair of future second-round picks. Joe, like the recently traded Aaron Wiggins, had become a fringe rotational player for OKC and provided little value during the team's postseason run.
The two moves work in tandem to dump excess salary. With the offloading of their unused talent, the Thunder are working toward one clear mission: to make their perennial superstar happy by granting him his one wish.
Earlier this month, it was thought that franchise cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would lobby heavily to general manager Sam Presti in favor of his fellow countryman, Lu Dort.
The three-and-D wing has long been a core member of the organization, but his shooting struggles combined with the progression of other guys like Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace, and Jared McCain have made some question whether OKC should exercise its team option on the guard this summer.
SGA's preference was seen as a roadblock by many, as shedding Dort's salary represents a clear path toward getting under the second apron. Because of this, OKC is apparently trying to find alternate methods to accomplish the same goal.
Thunder looking for alternative ways to dump salary
While Presti still has some work to do, the move at least inches the Thunder closer toward retaining Lu Dort. Gilgeous-Alexander was adamant after the season about not getting involved in team transactions, but the moves thus far say otherwise.
Especially given how little of a return OKC has received for both Joe and Wiggins, the deals appear to be strictly financial without any desire to improve the team's current makeup.
The other realistic possibility would be that the Thunder are creating space to retain center Isaiah Hartenstein, who is also on a team option. However, the team just drafted Aday Mara, who could very well become I-Hart's replacement, and the big man doesn't have a two-time MVP actively lobbying for his return.
With Presti being forced to perform financial acrobatics this offseason, retaining both Dort and Hartenstein seems highly unlikely.
Thunder prioritizing star contentment over roster makeup
It's clear why the Thunder are trying so hard to keep SGA happy. Other franchises have done much more for their stars for the same reason, some to a fault. It's in OKC's best interest to maintain Shai's contentment for as long as possible.
Superstars staying with the same organization for the duration of their career is a rarity these days, and they bring in business wherever they go.
Modern stars often prefer the career path of LeBron James over that of Steph Curry, but it's every franchise's dream to have the latter. Curry has become an iconic staple in Golden State and has helped the Warriors become the iconic franchise they are today. Despite their recent mediocrity, they are still considered the most valuable franchise in the league, according to Forbes.
OKC can only hope that Gilgeous-Alexander decides to follow a similar career trajectory. If he wants his fellow Canadian to be by his side, then it seems as if Sam Presti has no choice but to do everything he can to make that wish come true.
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