To win an NBA championship usually requires a hefty payroll. It only makes sense as the best players in the league are paid like that for the most part.
As the Oklahoma City Thunder smashed open a championship window last season, expect the payroll to increase over the next few seasons gradually. Impending extensions to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams should put OKC near the top of the league.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus ranked all 30 NBA teams’ ownership groups from cheapness to riches when filling out an expensive roster. The Thunder were ranked No. 8 in the league, noting they are smart at what they do.
“The Thunder are another smaller market team willing to spend when appropriate. The team cycled through several stars to try and stay competitive (Paul George, Chris Paul, etc.), paying taxes from 2017 to 2020. As the franchise started over, payroll appropriately dipped.
Oklahoma City is the model of how to quickly rebuild in the NBA, amassing unprecedented draft capital and talent. To maximize future flexibility, the franchise used its cap room to front-load contracts this offseason.”
This is a respectable marker for the Thunder. When it’s time to contend, OKC is willing to go deep into the luxury tax. Expect that to reappear with this current core when the bill comes due.
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