The OKC Thunder are now to the point where they don't even need to make moves for their transactional prowess to shine. On Wednesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves signed forward Jonathan Kuminga to a two-year deal worth $12.4 million.
It was a short-term deal that the franchise hopes will bolster their bench depth. A minor detail in the contract, however, highlights why the Wolves, along with many other teams, have failed to maintain such a formidable roster, while the Thunder still possess one of the deepest overall units in the league.
Kuminga apparently turned down a more lucrative offer from the Los Angeles Lakers in order to sign with the Wolves, and it's clear why. Minnesota GM Matt Lloyd made sure to include a player option in the deal, thus giving Kuminga the power to walk away after two years.
It's a strategy many teams have used this offseason, and one that the Thunder's Sam Presti has stayed clear of.
Thunder have done what others can't to maintain roster flexibility
Player options have been a prominent inclusion in free-agent deals this offseason. Notable players who now have that option are Trae Young, Ayo Dosumnu, Tari Easton, James Harden, and Colin Sexton, among many others.
Players of all skill levels have managed to secure contract flexibility this summer, and teams could feel the profound effects of these constraints in a few years.
The Thunder, on the other hand, have managed to attain the exact opposite roster configuration.
Aside from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's fifth-year player option in 2030-31, OKC boasts a slew of team options, allowing them to either control a player for an extra year or restructure their contract in a way that benefits the organization.
GM Sam Presti did as much with Isaiah Hartenstein this summer as he opted to decline I-Hart's team option and instead ink him to a brand-new deal, one that was extremely favorable for the team.
Thunder players who currently have a team option are Jaylin Williams, Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, Ajay Mitchell, and Jared McCain. Presti has truly put his organization in a flexible spot, which is essential considering that the Thunder have already had to perform their share of financial acrobatics in order to get under the second apron.
Once again, Sam Presti has flexed his intellectual muscles when it comes to demonstrating the Thunder's ability to circumvent roster constraints, and this time, he didn't even have to lift a finger.
As other teams continue to dig themselves into a hole, the blue and orange will continue to enjoy their team-friendly contracts.
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