Ahead of facing tax penalties projected to exceed north of $213 million, Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti shed a chunk of that large bill by trading Aaron Wiggins for two second-round picks ahead of this year’s draft. For a payroll still projected to extend beyond the second apron’s $220 million threshold in 2026-27, the Thunder saved some money while opening an additional roster spot before the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday.
Trading Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks saved Presti and the Thunder roughly $71 million in salary, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
“Entering the offseason, Oklahoma City had a projected tax penalty of $213M,” Marks reported. “The trade reduces that number to $152M. The Thunder enter the Tuesday Draft with two picks in the top-17 (no. 12 and 17).”
While the Thunder have been linked to various top-10 prospects, suggesting Presti will attempt to trade up by using his two first-round picks, or Oklahoma City could keep its 12th and 17th picks to add two players the Thunder GM has coveted leading into the draft.
Tennessee prospect Nate Ament is reportedly one of those targets. He most likely won’t be available for the Thunder at No. 12, and could be at the top of Oklahoma City’s list heading into this year’s draft, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.
“Many keep pointing to (Nate) Ament being Sam Presti’s ultimate target if he can jump into the top 10, although (Aday) Mara makes more sense, especially after watching Victor Wembanyama give Chet Holmgren the business,” Siegel said. “But should the Thunder actually keep this pick and make a selection, Morez Johnson Jr. is gaining a lot of traction to be the 12th pick.”
Although the initial draft intel projected the Thunder to take Michigan’s Aday Mara with the 12th overall pick, the defensive 7-footer has moved up in various mock drafts. Morez Johnson Jr. is reportedly a suitable alternative for Presti if the Thunder are unable to strike a deal to move into the top 10.
Thunder’s Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Kenrich Williams’ options
Watching Aaron Wiggins head to the Hawks in exchange for draft capital will soon be a thing of the past for Thunder GM Sam Presti. The kinds of trades that don’t require matching salaries are prohibited for teams in the second apron, which is where the Thunder are headed, as All-Star Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams’ respective max deals kick in for the 2026-27 season.
Presti hopes to keep Thunder veterans Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Kenrich Williams, all of whom are entering the final season of their respective team options. While the Thunder GM isn’t ruling out inking all three for one more season, Hartenstein, who’s become an anchor for the Thunder’s top-ranked defense, could command an extension to avoid becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
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