Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[omahen]

I guess I am not surprised by that Wallace #.  We will see if his game expands this year with Dort gone.   I was pretty rough on OKC this offseason, but looking back I may have been speaking in the moment.   They are still damn good and moved players this summer and did not need to move assets to get off of them.   Last year they were really good and pretty much played the whole season without JDub.    

This year they could have three first rounder with one maybe being a high lottery pick.   Quick way to restock if they add 5 first rounders (this year and next year).   To me, it will be interesting what eventually happens with McCain and Mitchell down the road (Jaylin Williams too...maykes 7 mil this year and next but next year is a team option).   I really think JDub could be a sneaky trade candidate in the next year or so.    Would they get off Topic for nothing?  Or is he damaged goods at this point?

I am not worried about OKC at all. With their model of almost endless picks and a great programe of developing players, they will be imho able to continue being relevant for a long time. Both of their first round rookies from this year a had great preseason. They have another 2 FRPs next summer. They have so many picks, that some of the guys can't even get minutes. Topic is an example and it looks like it will be very difficult for Sorber too (Topic is like 5th PG on their roster and Sorber is 4th center). 

OKC is in a great position. They have their big three and they are imho a lock, unless someone will really suck or be constantly injured. All the rest look like great value deals considering what they bring to the team or their potential. They are legit 14 players deep and a couple of youngsters will have difficulty even getting an opportunity. 

They are currently projected to be 25 mil over the second apron next season with 13 players under contract. Add two rookies at lets say 10 mil combined. Four of the players are team options - Jaylin Williams (7 mil), Topic (7 mil), McCain (7 mil) and Mitchell (3 mil). The third Williams will be an UFA and likely stays at vet min or for whatever above that they will be able to offer to stay under the second apron. 

I think it is obvious they keep Ajay at his min deal and extend him in 28/29. If Stirtz will be good (at the level he played in the preseason), they can afford to lose McCain and get more assets doing it. I guess Topic will be gone and it is just a question if they will have to let him walk or will someone pay some second rounders for him. These two moves give them 14 mil savings. I think next on the list is Caruso. He is a very well respected player so most likely they will receive more assets for him.

Currently they are very deep at PG/SG spots, as they have 6 rotation level players at the positions (counting Stirtz, not counting Topic). They are also very deep at center position. They are a bit thin at SF/PF spots, where they have very little depth behind JDub and Chet. They will be playing small ball a lot, but they always compensated this with extreme physicallity. I wonder how much they will miss Dort.