The Oklahoma City Thunder are NBA champions, becoming one of the youngest teams ever to hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. With the banner set to be raised and a young nucleus already in place, the focus now shifts towards winning another title.
Remarkably, Oklahoma City doesn’t have a single player who is currently scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. While that allows for the core to stay together, it also creates the need for some movement by a front office that also possesses two first-round picks and needs to hammer out contract extensions.
Let’s dive into a few moves the Thunder should make this offseason so they can repeat as NBA champions and become the league’s new dynasty.
Trade up for Khaman Maluach in the 2025 NBA Draft
The Oklahoma City Thunder hold the 15th and 24th overall picks in the first round of the NBA Draft. Given Sam Presti’s history and the team’s roster crunch, it’s unrealistic to expect both picks to be made. Teams are anticipating that Oklahoma City willtrade up and it’s the right call to make. ESPN‘s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo reported that the Thunder have been linked to several center prospects in the NBA Draft. Duke’s Khaman Maluach is a risk-reward pick, but he offers one of the highest ceilings in this entire class. The 7-foot big man could provide Oklahoma City with another defensive anchor in the paint long-term. Plus, his defensive versatility in helping against the pick-and-rolls fits well within the Thunder’s system. If he shows promising signs in his rookie season, Oklahoma City could decline Isaiah Hartenstein’s $28.5 million club option next summer for some much-needed cap room.
Related: 2025 NBA Draft order, picks by team
Sign Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams to extensions
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off a historic season, having led the league in scoring and winning both the regular season and NBA Finals MVP. Now it’s time for Oklahoma City to reward him with a new deal. As noted by ESPN‘s Bobby Marks, Gilgeous-Alexander is eligible for a four-year, $293.4 million contract extension, an $73.35 million AAV. It should be an immediate priority, as should a new extension for Jalen Williams. The 24-year-old is eligible for a five-year, $247 million contract extension this summer and that value increases to $296 million with escalators for All-NBA or Defensive Player of the Year honors next season.
Sign Russell Westbrook in free agency
Russell Westbrook declined his $3.5 million player option, clearing a path for him to enter NBA free agency. Heading into his age-37 season, there’s a chance next season could be his last in the NBA and he still doesn’t have a championship. Not only would signing with the Thunder give him the best odds of winning a ring, but it would also be a return to the city he still cares for through his Why Not? Foundation. Signing Westbrook also allows for 2024 first-round pick Nikola Topic to come along slowly in what will be his first NBA season after recovering from an ACL tear.
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