The fallout from the Thunder’s Game 7 loss to the Spurs will be felt all around the league, but OKC isn’t going anywhere. They’re still stocked with talent and assets, and while they may need to make some tweaks, they should be back and competing for titles for the rest of the decade and beyond.
However, the team is about to become dramatically more expensive, and there will have to be some casualties. They’ll have to do some meaningful maneuvering with key players just to get under the second apron. Still, a couple of obvious names to watch are players who fell out of their deep rotation: Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.
Both players have proven themselves as solid role players on the wing. Wiggins brings a more well-rounded all-around game on both ends, while Joe is one of the best shooters in the league. They’re each locked up on reasonable deals with Joe making $11.3 million next season with a team option for the same amount in the following year and Wiggins making $9.2 million next season and $8.3 million the following season, with a team option for that amount in 2028-29.
For 29 teams in the league, those would be steals, but for OKC, it’s prohibitive as they look to shed money and keep their core together. So, Wiggins and Joe will likely be dealt for pennies, and the Celtics are primed to steal one (or both), if they are so inclined.
Celtics can use TPE to absorb players and save OKC money
Boston has matching salaries, but with the Thunder looking to save money, that would require a third team. Where the Celtics can step in and make this appealing is with their $27.7 million traded player exception. They can use that to absorb one or both players without sending matching salary back. They would still have to send out something, but nowhere close to the full salary of either player.
Joe would be a dream fit in Mazzulla’s offense, a truly elite floor-spacer who can bury catch-and-shoot threes from all over the court with the best of them. Especially if Sam Hauser is sent out in another deal, Joe would be a nearly seamless replacement, and even if not, you can never have too much shooting.
Wiggins would be a solid bench wing to throw into the mix who’s not quite the shooter that Joe is, but can do a lot more off the bounce and on the defensive end. They would both be great depth additions for the Celtics who could slot into the rotation immediately at a very reasonable cost.
Celtics should be facilitators, not recipients
It’s a great opportunity for the Celtics, but my one hesitation is that the team is already in a good place at the wing position. These are solid, established players who both contributed to winning a championship last season.
But I’m not sure it’s worth investing more in the position when you’ve got Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Ron Harper Jr. waiting in the wings (pun intended) on even better value contracts.
So, ultimately, if I’m the Celtics, I probably pass on this deal if the idea is just to add those two players. On the other hand, if there are other deals and there is any chance for Brad Stevens to swoop in and help facilitate something that benefits the Cs, or some of the team’s young wings are going out in other deals, this is where they need to take advantage of the position they’re in.
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