While the rest of the Western Conference is looking to make moves to improve upon their core talent pools, the OKC Thunder are wheeling and dealing with the sole purpose of keeping theirs largely the same.
The recent trades of Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins are a telltale sign of this being the case.
With the departures of the aforementioned wings, Oklahoma City has reduced its luxury tax penalty by a whopping $140 million.
Needless to say, above anything else, the goal of this summer is to dip below the second apron.
Right now, the Thunder are sitting on roughly $390 million in total roster expenses, which is $18.8 million above the second apron threshold.
Assuming they decline veteran forward Kenrich Williams' club option of $7.16 million in the coming weeks, that still leaved them $11 million over their desired fiscal goal.
At this point, there seems to be only one way for the Thunder to accomplish their primary offseason mission: trade Lu Dort.
Thunder may be forced to trade Lu Dort to accomplish their fiscal goal
Though some may have believed Isaiah Hartenstein would be the odd man out, what with his lofty $28.5 million salary for next season, along with the arrival of 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara in this week's draft, with the prospect's admission that he may need some time to become the player OKC needs him to be, keeping the veteran in tow seems to be more logical than ever.
Because of this, Dort, who's on the books for $18.2 million next season and plays a position stacked with other top-notch talents like Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, and Jared McCain, now appears to be the most likely of the two to be moved on from.
Considering their specific financial situation, in any potential Dort deal, the Thunder need to partner with a trade suitor that can afford not to send back substantial salary in exchange.
Teams like the Charlotte Hornets, who cleared up more than $30 million in salary with the recent LaMelo Ball blockbuster, and the Boston Celtics, who hold a massive $27.7 million Traded Player Exception, could prove to be an ideal match.
While a Dort departure may be far from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's ideal summer happening, in many ways, it's the only way to ensure the Thunder gain financial flexibility while also keeping them in the ideal position to contend for the Larry O'Brien Trophy come next season.
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