Update: The Thunder paid more than initially reported.
Bobby Marks of ESPN:
A couple of side notes on the OKC/UTH trade:
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 5, 2022
💰UTH received $1M
🏀OKC gets the UTH 2nd in 2028 (this was originally conditional if they did not get a first as a result of the Favors trade)
💰OKC will get $890K if they don't get a first in 2024 (11-30),2025 (11-30),2026 (9-30)
Basically, Oklahoma City will pay either $1,017,075 for Utah’s 2028 second-rounder (cheap, though not ridiculously cheap) or $127,075 for absolutely nothing (significantly less likely but possible).
It’ll be interesting to see how this turns out.
In six years.
***
The Thunder have mastered stockpiling draft picks while rebuilding.
Sam Presti’s latest deal is a work of art.
Oklahoma City is getting a second-round pick from the Jazz for taking Miye Oni – who’s on an unguaranteed minimum contract.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Oklahoma City is acquiring Utah's Miye Oni and a 2028 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Thunder will waive Oni and open up a roster spot ahead of the February trade deadline. Utah saves money and opens a roster spot too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 4, 2022
Thunder are waiving Gabriel Deck to make roster room for the trade, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 4, 2022
This reduces Utah’s luxury-tax liability by $2,408,394 more than waiving Oni today would’ve.
Though Oni’s contract is unguaranteed until Friday (the league-wide deadline), Utah would’ve been taxed on money already paid to Oni if waiving him. By trading him, the Jazz completely remove his salary from their books (though they’ll probably eat into their savings by acquiring another player).
For the Thunder, this will cost just $17,075 (Oni’s salary for today plus the two days he spends on waivers).
That’s astonishingly cheap for a second-round pick. Who knows where Utah will be in 2028? Even if the pick lands last in the draft, that’s an incredible bargain.
For perspective, the 76ers bought the No. 53 pick from the Pelicans for $2 million last year. The going rate for slightly better second-round picks has been even higher.
Well below the salary cap, Oklahoma City faces practically no opportunity cost for absorbing Oni’s small cap hit. Gabriel Deck’s contract is unguaranteed. So, there’s no additional cost in waiving him.
This is just the Thunder expertly taking advantage of their leverage.