Sam Presti has some work to do!
As we approach the 2022-2023 NBA regular season and the Association’s Summer League games are in play this hot July in Las Vegas, teams are making evaluations on the who and who will not make the rosters for opening tip day.
The Oklahoma City Thunder under General Manager Sam Presti have their hands full and the final selections for the 15 regular season team members plus 2 two-way contracts are in consideration. I will take a look and predict at what Thunder fans might expect for their teams roster come Fall. My take is as good as any except for the boss on Reno Street, Mr. Presti.
CURRENT TEAM MEMBERS WHO WILL BE ON THE TEAM, TRADED, WAVED BUT SALARY GUAARENTEED for 2022-2023
Mike Muscala: Signed a one year $2.6 million contract for this year.
Shea Gilgeous-Alexander: first year of a five year $29,75 million for 2022-2023 ($179,299,000 through 2027)
Josh Giddey: 2nd year of a four year rookie contract $6,287,400 (years 3 and 4 team option)
Luguenst Dort: 1st year of a five year $15,277,778 (year one of a 5 year with year 5 team option)
Derrick Favors: 3rd year player option $10,183,800 guarenteed. (subject to trade) Salary guarenteed.
Tre Mann: 2nd year of a four year rookie contract at $3,046,200 guarenteed.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl: 2nd year of a four year rookie contract at $2,000,000
Chet Holgrem: signed a 4 year / $44,889,248 contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, including $44,889,248 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $11,222,312. In 2022-23, Holmgren will earn a base salary of $9,891,240, while carrying a cap hit of $9,891,240 and a dead cap value of $9,891,240.
Ousmane Dieng: signed a 4 year / $21,066,202 contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, including $21,066,202 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $5,266,551. In 2022-23, Dieng will earn a base salary of $4,569,840, while carrying a cap hit of $4,569,840 and a dead cap value of $4,569,840.
Jalen Williams (Santa Clara): Jalen Williams signed a 4 year / $20,256,917 contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, including $20,256,917 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $5,064,229. In 2022-23, Williams will earn a base salary of $4,341,480, while carrying a cap hit of $4,341,480 and a dead cap value of $4,341,480.
JaMychal Green: JaMychal Green signed a 2 year / $16,400,000 contract with the Denver Nuggets, including $16,400,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $8,200,000. In 2022-23, Green will earn a base salary of $8,200,000, while carrying a cap hit of $8,200,000 and a dead cap value of $8,200,000
Alexander Pokusevski: 2022-2023 Club option exercised on 10/25/21. 3rd year of a 4 year rookie contract $3,261,480. 4th year team option. Salary guarenteed.
Darius Basley: 2022-2023 Club option exercised on 10/25/21. 4th year of a rookie extension at $4,264,268 Salary guarenteed.
Ty Jerome: 2022-2023 Club option exercised on 10/25/21. 4thyear of a rookie extension at $4,220,057 Salary guarenteed.
Jaylin Williams (Arkansas): Jaylin Williams signed a 4 year / $8,200,000 contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, including an annual average salary of $2,050,000. In 2022-23, Williams will earn a base salary of $1,906,977, while carrying a cap hit of $1,906,977.
Theo Maledon: 2022-2023 salary fully guaranteed on 6/29/22. Theo Maledon signed a 3 year / $5,900,000 contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, including $5,900,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $1,966,667. In 2022-23, Maledon will earn a base salary of $1,900,000, while carrying a cap hit of $1,900,000 and a dead cap value of $1,900,000.
With only 15 spots available, Presti has to trade or cut players that are guarenteed money for the upcoming year.
Others that are under a non-guarenteed contracts that are hoping to be on the team or be a two-way player or a member of the Blue:
Aaron Wiggins (on a non-guarenteed contract)
Vit Krcjci (partically guarenteed for 2022-2023)
Lindy Waters III (2-way for 2021-2022)
Kenrich Williams (guarenteed contract money if making opening night)
Two-way Contract player under contract for 2022-2023:
Eugene Omoruyi: signed a 1 year / – contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, including an annual average salary of -. In 2022-23, Omoruyi will earn, while carrying a cap hit of . Money not disclosed as of this article.
To get to a team of 15 players plus two two way, OKC’s roster looks like a rebuilding team in transition. Here are my team members for 2022-2023. Only time will tell who the Thunder will suit out on Opening Day 2022.
I would be shocked if Presti traded, waved or moved any of the top nine.
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Shae Gilguest-Alexander
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Josh Giddey
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Chet Holmgren
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Jalin Williams
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Jaylan Williams
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Ousmane Dieng
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Lu Dort
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Kenrich Williams
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Mike Muscula
This next group are players that could be traded or moved but have potential and can be worked into a strong position in OKC with giving very important minutes and are part of the rebuild. Presti, I suspect, would like to keep these players. I expect them to make up the balance of the 15 man roster:
10. Tre Mann
11. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
12. Aaron Wiggins
13. Darius Basley
14. Theo Maledon
15. Alexander Pokusevski
16. Ty Jerome
These players will be gone by Opening Day:
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Derrick Favors
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JaMychal Green
These players will either be waved or will sign with the Blue:
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Lindy Waters III
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Vic Krcjci
Thunder fans, did I miss anyone? Please comment as I would like to mix it up with you! Love your opinions.
Feature Photo: Getty Images
Secondary Photo: Image via Mike Stobe/Getty
Missing Ty Jerome
no, he was listed.
I’m talking about your “predictions” segment at the end of the article.
Gotcha!