Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[Chicagojk]

I think their future is very bright and relatively easy to manage for long time. 

First move this summer imho they will not pick up team option on Kenrich Williams and perhaps resign him at vet min. Than I think they will either trade Dort and Hartenstein for no salary in return or let them walk (team options both). I also wouldn't be surprised if one of them resigns for much less money. They have so many good guards/wings that they can easily keep on going without Dort. They will need to replace Hartenstein, which I think they will do either through draft or by bringing in a cheap hustling and athletic center. These moves would keep them just below the first apron even after signing their rookies (or they will bring in some other small salary guys). 

Doing this and without any other major changes they are still at the first apron for 2027/2028 season, which gives them plenty of room to resign Wallace and stay below the second apron. They will also have team option on Isiah Joe (11 mil) and they could also easily remain good by letting him walk.

It might be really scary looking back five years from now and seeing what OKC has done.  I may do the unthinkable, if SA advances I may root for them.  I actually like their team.  I just will need to stay away from any chatter with their fans

I think there is a good chance Dort and Hartenstein move on.  Although, nothing would shock me.   Both are good, so even if they move them it wouldn't shock me to see them get a small asset for both (even with their salaries).

We really haven't seen OKC last two first round picks either.   One has had knee and health issues and the other has a knee injury.  Both were liked in the draft circles.   It might be hard for Topic to get a lot of runtime anytime soon.    Sorber has a chance to step in next year and get some minutes.  Speaking of the draft, OKC has a chance to do something ridiculous.    They can go 100 different ways, but if they kept both picks at 12 and 17, they could really beef up their front court while envisioning battles with Wemby every year.  At 12, they could get the best center in the draft.   Mara works, but I think Quaintance would be an awesome gamble.   At 17, they could draft someone like Morez Johnson jr.   They could throw out chet, Sorber, Mara/Quantance, and Johnson in a Wemby series and three of those guys would be on rookie contracts.