He sent in his resignation as captain of OKC Thunders after multiple requests for a pay raise went unanswered.

He sent in his resignation as captain of OKC Thunders after multiple requests for a pay raise went unanswered.

Owing to a core group of inexpensive gems, the Oklahoma City Thunder are exceptionally well-positioned for sustained success.

However, in the second round, their sensational 2023–24 campaign came to an end.

The No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, Oklahoma City, lost to Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks. After sweeping the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round, they lost the series in six games.

Letdown? Indeed. In retrospect, this would seem like a lost chance for this young Thunder team.

But, the bar will be raised even higher for the upcoming campaign, and OKC has plenty of cap room to bolster its lineup.

With $97.2 million committed to its 2024–25 lineups, only the Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Toronto Raptors have more money than OKC.

What a fantastic chance for the Thunder.

The team should be able to escape the anticipated $172 million luxury tax even if it pursues a star. Either the non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception or the room mid-level exception ought to apply.

That being said, OKC won’t be splashing cash on unrestricted free agents. After 2024–2025, Isaiah Joe’s contract ends, and in the ensuing years, Josh Giddey, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams will all need extensions. Plans for the near future must align with a viable long-term strategy.

It’s almost too easy how easy this offseason may be.

OKC ought to think about re-signing Gordon Hayward if the price is good. Although he earned $31.5 million this season, he won’t be able to get nearly that much in free agency. Off the bench, the seasoned player can have a beneficial influence.

Despite not playing a single minute in the playoffs, Aleksej Pokusevski, Bismack Biyombo, and Mike Muscala all have contracts that are about to expire.

Finally, it is appropriate to exercise Aaron Wiggins’ and Isaiah Joe’s team options. While Wiggins is worth $2 million, Joe most definitely won’t be leaving the Thunder. Jaylin Williams is another excellent $2 million reserve, but she has no money guaranteed for 2024–2025.