As the Oklahoma City Thunder turn their eyes to what may be a rebuild, they look at their players who will be free agents this coming offseason.
Among the players will be one of the biggest names in free agency this offseason.
Power forward Danilo Gallinari’s contract, a three-year deal that paid him $22.6 million this season, has come to an end. In a relatively weak free agency class, he could springboard into another contract near or perhaps greater than $20 million a year.
While he’s the biggest name, a Thunder fan-favorite will be a free agent.
Wing Andre Roberson’s three-year, $30 million deal is ending. He didn’t see the court much over the course of that contract’s life due to a major injury suffered midway through the first year, and will likely settle for a smaller deal.
Center Nerlens Noel, who had a one-year, $2 million contract with the Thunder, will be a free agent once again.
Additionally, Mike Muscala has a player option and Abdel Nader, Hamidou Diallo and Deonte Burton have team options.
Here’s a brief look at each player:
Danilo Gallinari: The Thunder probably want him back, even if it’s to trade him at the deadline, but Gallinari will be a prized commodity this offseason and can likely sign a good-sized deal with a contender. The Miami Heat, for instance, had interest in him at the 2019-20 trade deadline and will have money to spend this offseason. Don’t be surprised to see them linked together in speculation over the coming months.
Prediction: Gallinari does not return to the Thunder
Andre Roberson: Roberson tested the waters in the NBA bubble, and while he showed some pop, he clearly wasn’t the same player. Unless another team is enthralled with him, it would likely be in his best interest to sign a one-year deal with a team and re-enter free agency in the loaded 2021 class. Oklahoma City may be rebuilding, but there’s always room for a defensive-minded veteran to push young players and teach them the ropes. There’s logic in bringing him back.
Prediction: Roberson returns to the Thunder on a one-year deal
Nerlens Noel: In the 2019 offseason, Noel declined his $1.99 million player option with the Thunder, then re-signed for about $30,000 more than that. He played well for Oklahoma City this year and proved he belongs in the league. The Thunder are rebuilding, but Noel is only 26 years old. Whether or not he stays in Oklahoma City depends on a few factors: Who else comes calling and what is his perceived value throughout the league, whether the Thunder plan to trade Steven Adams, and if Oklahoma City drafts a big man with the No. 25 pick.
Prediction: Noel does not return to the Thunder.
Options:
Mike Muscala: $2.3 million player option
After playing just 47 games and averaging 12 minutes per, and then not getting playoff time, Muscala’s value is not high. With a salary cap projected to drop due to the coronavirus and poor China relations, it may be in his best interest to accept the player option and wait until 2021 to hit free agency. If the Thunder don’t re-sign Noel, Muscala can serve as a backup center on a more consistent basis.
Prediction: Muscala accepts the player option.
Abdel Nader: $1.8M team option
Nader will be 27 when next season starts, but has only played three years in the league. He showed some positives in the bubble, averaging eight points in 16 minutes per game and making 39% of his 3-pointers on 3.3 attempts per game. It’s worth the inexpensive contract for the Thunder to hold onto him and see if he can continue to grow.
Prediction: The Thunder accept Nader’s team option
Hamidou Diallo: $1.7M team option
Diallo turned 22 years old on July 31. He’s still raw, but he averaged almost 20 minutes per game and flashed positives around the court. It’s a no-brainer for the Thunder to accept this option.
Prediction: The Thunder accept Diallo’s team option
Deonte Burton: $1.7M team option
Burton, 26, appeared in 39 games and averaged nine minutes per appearance. The main calling card to keep him is that he’s inexpensive and they may have need of another guard if they trade Chris Paul and/or Dennis Schroder. However, the decreasing salary cap and luxury tax line may make Oklahoma City hesitant to keep Burton, particularly if they draft a point guard.
Prediction: The Thunder decline Burton’s team option.