After OKC's elimination from the playoffs yesterday, I felt inspired to do an analysis of their current situation and what I think they should do this offseason to try to contend for the title. Let's get to it.
Current Situation:
Strengths: Young Core, Picks
Weaknesses: Shooting, Rebounding and inside scoring.
Transfer candidates: Ousmane Dieng, Josh Giddey, Lindy Waters and Kenrich Williams.
TO's: Chet Holgrem, Isiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Jalen Williams.
Extension candidates: Shai Gileous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.
FA's Olivier Sarr, Mike Muscala, Bismack Biyombo, Keyontae Johnson and Gordon Hayward.
Targets: Starting power forward, wing shooters, trade Giddey and backup center.
Space: 3 players (one of them has to be used for their pick #12).
Finances (before transfers):
Team Cap: $102.9M
Luxury Tax: $68.4M Under
1st Apron: $73.7M Under
2nd Apron: $86.5M Under
Trades:
Trade #1: Lindy Water to CHA in exchange for a 2025 srp (PHI).
Trade #2: Josh Giddey, Ousmane Dieng, 2027 frp (DEN) and 2027 srp (MIN) in exchange for Deni Advija.
Draft:
With pick #12 select forward Tristan Da Silva ($4.9M).
Free Agency:
Upon rejection of Isaiah Joe's TO contract immediately extend him to a value contract: $58M ($13M-$14M-$15M-$16M).
Extend Aaron Wiggins to a contract with value: $22.7M ($7M-$7.5M-$8M).
Sign free agent Goga Bitadze to a 3-year contract worth: $28.5M ($9M-$9.5M-$10M).
Sign free agent Monte Morris to a 2-year contract worth: $14M ($6.5M-$7.5M).
Sign free agent Sadiqq Bey to a 3-year contract worth: $24M ($8M-$8M-$8M).
Sign free agent Skylar Mays to a one-year contract worth the minimun.
Sign free agent Keyontae Johnson to a two-way contract.
Finances (after moves):
Team Cap: $131.8M
Luxury Tax: $41.5M Under
1st Apron: $47.8M Under
2nd Apron: $58.6M Under
Starting Lineup:
Shai, Dort, JDub, Advija and Chet.
Backup Lineup:
Wallace, Joe, Wiggins, Da Silva and Bitadze.
Rest of Team:
Morris, Mays, Bey (injury), Williams and JWilliams.