The Oklahoma City Thunder need to make changes after losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, and that should include decisions on Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Kenrich Williams. Things got more complicated with the news that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander backed Dort to return. OKC will fly past the second apron as the extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren kick in. They have to trim payroll and upgrade their roster. The Thunder should look to improve on the players who struggled in the playoffs.
Every dollar counts in the second apron era. The Thunder will only get more expensive as SGA’s supermax is looming in 2027. Sam Presti has to decide who stays and who goes. The Thunder don’t want to upset their superstar, or the franchise’s worst memory could repeat itself. That may be enough to bring Dort back, but the questions won’t stop there.
Cason Wallace is extension-eligible, so OKC has to decide his future. He will want $20-25 million per year to stay. It is a reasonable contract, but it only makes the Thunder more expensive. Changes are coming. Those moves should include showing three players the door and moving a starter to the bench.
Thunder should trade Isaiah Joe
Joe is an elite shooter, but was an inconsistent part of the Thunder’s rotation. He never left the bench in Game 7 against the Spurs, despite Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell being out. The 6’4 guard is just entering his prime and is a career 40.6 percent 3-point shooter. There will be interest, and it could be a chance for OKC to trim their payroll.
Joe is set to make $11.3 million in the 2026-27 season and has a team option at the same figure in 2027-28. Contenders would love to add an elite shooter and would likely even give OKC a couple of second-round picks to acquire him.
Thunder have to trade Aaron Wiggins
Wiggins was even further down the Thunder’s playoff pecking order. He played just 75 total minutes over their 15 postseason games and only 35 against the Spurs, despite two key players being out.
Wiggins is set to make $9.0 million next season and has three years left on a descending contract. The 6’5 wing is a career 38.0 percent 3-point shooter and would play a key role for most contenders. Oklahoma City should have no issues moving on and could even pick up a couple more second-round draft picks in the process.
Thunder should decline Kenrich Williams' team option
OKC will decline their $7.1 million team option on Williams, but his future depends on what other moves can be made. They would love to bring him back on a minimum contract, but the 31-year-old could likely get more elsewhere. Does he want to stay with the Thunder or explore his market in free agency?
Presti may need the roster spot. He currently has two first-round draft picks to add and zero space available. If they dump Joe and Wiggins, the Thunder may bring back Williams. If a better option becomes available at the minimum, Oklahoma City may jump at that chance.
Thunder need to bench Luguentz Dort
The obvious play after the season was to move on from Luguentz Dort. He has a $17.7 million team option that the Thunder could easily accept and trade. Dort was first-team All-Defense in 2025 and remained a starter throughout the playoffs. With SGA backing him to stay, OKC should sign Dort to a four-year extension in the $80-85 million range.
This lets him play one more year with the Thunder before Presti decides between Wallace and Dort. The writing is on the wall that Wallace is the future at this position, so OKC should make the switch in the starting five. Let Wallace play more and use Dort as a disruptor off the bench like Alex Caruso.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have several difficult decisions to make this offseason. Presti will attempt to dodge the second apron and improve their roster. Expect Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to be traded. Kenrich Williams may also be gone, and Luguentz Dort should be headed to the bench.
OKC wants to create a dynasty. After their setback, Presti must explore his options to upgrade their roster. The Spurs aren’t going anywhere, so changes must be made. Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.
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