The Oklahoma City Thunder are about to get pricey. When the 2026-27 league year begins this summer, the Thunder could have a payroll of nearly $250 million — which will put them well over the NBA's draded "second apron," which severely restricts the roster moves they can make.
It doesn't matter. The Thunder should happily remain over the second apron, as they're going to be the favorites to win the NBA title for the next five-ish years. Any price is worth paying for an NBA title, and if Sam Presti and the front office believe that staying in the second apron gives the team a better chance at winning another championship (which it does), then who cares what penalties are brought down on the team? Winning the title is the ultimate goal in this league, not financial flexibility or first-round draft picks seven years from now (don't tell Sam I said that).
Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, who are making a combined $19 million right now, will make about $82 million combined next year. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will make $40 million, Isaiah Hartenstein has a $28 million team option that I presume the team will exercise, and before you know it, the Thunder will become a second apron team. That's what happens when, like, 13 guys were all important on a championship team and they all want to run it back. It was smart team building that got the Thunder to this point, so why change anything because the league takes away some privileges the Thunder may not even use?
Thunder should become a second apron team with no hesitation
The penalties for being a second apron team are no joke. Any team over the second apron can't aggregate contracts in trades, can't trade first-round picks that are seven years out, can't use trade exceptions, and can't send cash in trades, among other penalties.
But those things don't matter if a roster is already ready to compete, and obviously the Thunder are ready to compete now, and set up to compete in the future. With the roster they currently have, the Thunder will remain contendors, and with the draft picks they have, they can theoretically replace anyone who becomes a casualty of the apron era.
When June rolls around, and the Thunder get closer to being struck down by the invisible hand of the NBA's bizarre CBA, don't fret. What feels better, having a mid-level exception or raising the Larry O'Brien trophy?