Playoff injuries were the first wave of adversity to hit the Oklahoma City Thunder after their 2025 championship. Payroll will be the second.<\/p>\n
After avoiding the luxury tax altogether in 2025-26, the Thunder roster is expected to jump by roughly $70 million<\/a> with two max extensions kicking in. This puts them at a projected $39 million over the second apron<\/a> if they bring everyone back.<\/p>\n With the emergence of guards like Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace and the trade for Jared McCain coupled with the need to slash payroll, we could see both Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins hit the market.<\/p>\n Joe, 26, averaged 11.1 points on 42.3 percent shooting from three this past season. It’s the fourth-straight year he’s nailed at least 40.9 percent of his threes, becoming one of the most reliable outside threats in the NBA. Every team needs more shooting, especially contenders like the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers and Toronto Raptors who finished in the bottom-10<\/a> in three-point makes, percentage or both last year.<\/p>\n Wiggins, 27, is the bigger of the two who can spend more time at small forward. Although mostly used as a reserve due to the ridiculous amount of talent on the roster, Wiggins was good as a starter (12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 38.5 percent from three in 29.1 minutes) and could be relied upon in a bigger role with a new team.<\/p>\n