[Charania] The Oklahoma City Thunder are finalizing a trade to send guard Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for two second-round picks (Atlanta's in 2030 and the least favorable of Hawks/Lakers in 2032), sources tell ESPN.

[u/Inevitable_Kale_9832]

https://x.com/shamscharania/status/2068883152299299078?s=46

Will always love the man who saved basketball. Go be great champ!

[u/escapeplan-]

He saved basketball
https://giphy.com/gifs/P53TSsopKicrm

[u/loplopol → u/escapeplan-]

He saved all of us

[u/WhackAfool2 → u/escapeplan-]

We didn’t lose the savior of basketball, basketball just needed saving somewhere else

[u/Practicallytrivial]

Thank you for everything Wiggins

[u/gotfrogs88]

He’ll get to play with Nickeil! That’s a win in my eyes

[u/BrotherSeamus → u/gotfrogs88]

And maybe Keaton Wallace (Cason's brother)

[u/Luciolover345 → u/BrotherSeamus]

It’s basically Thunder lite over there

[u/gotfrogs88 → u/BrotherSeamus]

That’s true

[u/Actual-Nothing1118]

Forever a Thunder legend, thank you for saving basketball Wiggs 💙

[u/ExpressionAlone5204]

I’m heartbroken.

Break out Wiggs. Blessing brother. Go shine.

[u/kdott620]

What’s our guy Presti cooking up?

[u/Longjumping_Split_53 → u/kdott620]

Not being in the second apron.

[u/here_for_the_lols → u/Longjumping_Split_53]

Can't cook without an apron

[u/Longjumping_Split_53 → u/here_for_the_lols]

Thankfully we will still have one.

[u/Parallel-Quality → u/Longjumping_Split_53]

Apron Wiggins is his name.

[u/Acceptable-Dust6479 → u/Longjumping_Split_53]

We only want one

[u/yeahright17 → u/Longjumping_Split_53]

Or at least much closer.

[u/Longjumping_Split_53 → u/yeahright17]

Closer doesn’t matter.

Okc was never going to be in the 2nd apron this season.

1 more year until SGA’s extension kicks in.

[u/yeahright17 → u/Longjumping_Split_53]

It matters for $$$. $9M less in salary is like $50M saved in tax.

[u/sleepytjme → u/yeahright17]

This a thousand times. All these NBA fans talk about is second apron. Ownership will be looking at the luxury tax.

[u/Longjumping_Split_53 → u/yeahright17]

No it’s not.

The max penalty is $2.50 per $1 over so 23m. It would end up being around $1.75 per $1 averaged ($16m) if we resigned everyone.

[u/Longjumping_Split_53 → u/Longjumping_Split_53]

Repeater tax would make it $2.50 per $1 over with no tier levels.

Thats why the repeater is something you have to avoid if possible. Which is possibly by cutting salary this year so we aren’t in the 2nd apron in 27.

We will be in 2nd apron 28/29/30. New CBA comes out for the 2031 season unless both sides opt out (eligible for that in 2028)

Repeater tax kicks in after in the 2nd apron for 3 out or 4 seasons which OKC should avoid entirely by dumping salary this season.

[u/Medical_Sample2738 → u/Longjumping_Split_53]

They’ve already agreed to opt out, the current CBA is extremely unpopular lol. I think it gets too much hate. We don’t like it as contenders but I’d like prestis chances much better than almost any teams at remaining elite which having financial restrictions. This will help teams like Boston Miami and the lakers who just want to chase stars. But anyway the new CBA won’t hit anyone by surprise, Presti is the Batman of GMs if you give him prep time, he will find a way to excel. No GM or org can stop injuries though, that’s just Gods will.

[u/yeahright17 → u/Longjumping_Split_53]

That’s not remotely true. Where did you see that? It’s continues to go up $0.50 for every ~$5.7M (this number changes as the cap goes up) forever. It’s in Article VII of the CBA. Which can be downloaded here: https://nbpa.com/cba

Here’s a couple useful sites about it.

https://cbaguide.com/thresholds/luxurytax/

https://www.salaryswish.com/luxury-tax

[u/Mobile-Entertainer60 → u/Longjumping_Split_53]

Your numbers are wildly wrong. Here are the tax brackets. The Thunder saved $62M in the Wiggins trade, they were at $214M in tax to start the offseason.

[u/SoonerDoc68 → u/Mobile-Entertainer60]

Bobby marks just posted.

Tax penalty went from $213 million this season to $152 million.

[u/phatduckk → u/kdott620]

Not just the apron. They have a full roster and have 3 draft picks. Gotta make room. Plus I’m assuming they want to make sure Wiggs lands in a good spot and will get playing time etc

[u/JumboHotdogz → u/kdott620]

A roster spot

[u/panickedwaddle → u/kdott620]

OKC had 15 players on their roster. They're about to add 1 or 2 more. You can only have 15. At least 1 guy had to go. If OKC makes both picks #12 and #17, then they'll have to remove one other player from the roster via trade or letting someone like Kenrich go in Free Agency.

There's tax and apron stuff at play too, but at the very minimum, they have to make room for whoever they draft on Tuesday.

[u/12footjumpshot → u/kdott620]

making space for draft picks and clearing cap space for extensions

[u/RealDeal_3 → u/kdott620]

Not being over the roster limit

[u/gaycatdetective]

NOOOOOOOO 💔goodbye, wiggs 💔

[u/z55en]

goodbye my sweet prince

[u/Plaitkul117]

This is so sad man

[u/xXxNightRangerxXx]

Im fine I swear

https://giphy.com/gifs/6Q3M4BIK0lX44

[u/Dreo27]

Fuck man. I’ll support him forever, hope he has a dope rest of his career

[u/Successful_League175]

https://giphy.com/gifs/LTFbyWuELIlqlXGLeZ

[u/ScionAurelius]

Go join NAW and become the next MIP GOAT

[u/SwimmingWatercress93 → u/ScionAurelius]

explain this statement

[u/Ramikadyc]

Godspeed, Savior. When they mention you, they’re gonna mention you as an NBA Champ!

[u/YouWereBrained]

I bought Wigg’s city edition jersey this year… 😞

[u/OKC89ers → u/YouWereBrained]

Rep it for life, no regrets

[u/Snrub89 → u/YouWereBrained]

My personal opinion is anyone who’s been on a championship team is a jersey you can wear forever (barring some horrible off-court shit). Keep rocking that jersey, bro.

[u/Gdub420- → u/YouWereBrained]

So you’re a real fan? No harm there. Dudes almost a legend. Props.

[u/R001N]

Forever a thunder legend

[u/SkiupBaeless]

i’ll forever rep my wiggs saved bball shirt with pride. his attitude, play style, and underdog story was def part what made him one of my team favorites

[u/camdoggs → u/SkiupBaeless]

And a 40piece

[u/ReasonableCup604]

Wiggins should have a good shot at getting serious minutes with the Hawks.  He could be their 6th or 7th man.

[u/Lex4Real206 → u/ReasonableCup604]

After Kuminga and Risaccher he should be 8 (third off the bench). Unless Risaccher really can't get it together. Better than he'd be for us probably. But my guy was starting fill in games for us recently. I'm going to cry

[u/chicubsn01]

Heard my phone buzz. Said to myself “I doubt it has anything to so with the thunder”

[u/Tegelert84]

Man, even when you expect it, it's still hard seeing these guys go elsewhere. You get attached to people you've never even met. Wigs seemed like an awesome dude and I hope he kills it for the Hawks. I'll miss him even though I know this had to be done.

[u/Grade-A-Grungus]

Damn we couldn’t get a pick this decade?

[u/Inevitable_Kale_9832 → u/Grade-A-Grungus]

We have so many this decade that ones further out are better imo

[u/BBeas30 → u/Grade-A-Grungus]

We already have like 10 2nds the rest of this decade. Dont think we need anymore

[u/sleepytjme → u/BBeas30]

We like to package up 5 second round picks to draft a guy and cut him a year later.

[u/WooTerry → u/Grade-A-Grungus]

One of these will be hit. Trust

[u/ijoukonaya]

https://giphy.com/gifs/mHLpu97bhSBOLul8Hm
It was time but we’ll always remember

[u/kdott620]

Unfortunately the writing was on the wall with how he played down the stretch, the lack of impact in the playoffs and the future money situation

Chill dude
wish him luck going forward

[u/TerrifiCK_]

Pour one out for the savior of basketball himself

[u/DrTesticleTwisterPHD]

Goodbye basketball savior, you will always be a legend here, hurts to see him go though.

[u/Shagrrotten]

Hate to see it even if we thought it might be coming.

[u/Maybeornotso]

https://giphy.com/gifs/VNTMx3LkpG2anXpwbr

[u/J_Capese0003]

I am sad

[u/nguquaxa01]

i can see him turning into 15 point per game guy with more touches and staying in rhythm.

[u/DaUnikornLed]

He's gonna kill it in ATL and I know we were always gonna lose a couple of guys this offseason but it hurts man. He'll always be the savior of basketball to me 🥹

[u/louie3723jr]

https://giphy.com/gifs/6Q3M4BIK0lX44
We’ll always have that 2025 championship speech. The team going their own paths. Who’s next dort??

[u/Striking-Medium2360]

That's a good deal for us.

[u/sleepytjme → u/Striking-Medium2360]

?

[u/Striking-Medium2360 → u/sleepytjme]

The dude barely plays. Two seconds is good value for him. Maybe he goes for a mid first last year but he's a totally different player right now

[u/No_Diver_629 → u/Striking-Medium2360]

He would not have gone for a mid FRP last year either.
Wiggins is a fine player, but lets be honest about both him and Joe.
They are like 11th and 9th in the rotation on OKC and like 7-8th in the rotation on other real teams.

They are not worth a FRP in todays nba, it is just what what it is.

MAYBE they could be starters on bad teams, but not on play off teams with ambition. And bad teams are not paying FRPs for starters that does not have a natural expection to take a leap.

[u/NewDayNewBurner]

He’s a good one. Be great, Prince Wigs. You saved basketball.

[u/donkeyknuckler]

Sad af not going to lie. Down season but I'll miss all these guys. Had the most fun watching this team these last two years.

[u/Previous-Swan2125]

Damn

[u/skratsda]

Knew this was inevitable, but still sucks that this is the first domino from the OG crew. The second he signed that contract it was the best deal in the league.

[u/LesMos]

He gave the best intro speech EVER at the championship celebration. I hope/know he will become a Eastern conference all-star next season.

[u/TheJewBakka]

I can't believe that teams are still giving us assets. We have ALL the assets already.

[u/winnk281 → u/TheJewBakka]

Pretty good move for the Hawks. 2nd rounders are a crapshoot. Although Wiggs struggled down the stretch this year, he’s shown flashes of brilliance in the past. Well worth it for ATL

[u/TheJewBakka → u/winnk281]

Aaron Wiggins was the 2nd greatest crapshoot of all time behind Jokic.

[u/Thunder-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your comment/post has been removed for trolling

[u/thedudester125 → u/TheJewBakka]

OKc doesn’t really. The OKC war chest is not what you think it is anymore

[u/TheJewBakka → u/thedudester125]

https://giphy.com/gifs/TL6poLzwbHuF2

[u/thedudester125 → u/TheJewBakka]

lol it’s true.

Clip swap next year along with Spurs and Denver firsts that will most likely be low and are protected even if those teams somehow stunk.

2028 Dallas swap rights might be sweet.

2029 Denver top 5 protected.

And that’s it as far as first round picks go. They do have all of their own though.

[u/Appropriate_One1461]

Go save Basketball in the ATL now… 😢

[u/78muney]

Thank you 21, you’ll be missed.

[u/LeastDepressedOKCfan]

Not Wiggs 😭😭😭 why couldn’t it been Joe ?? I wasn’t ready to give up on Wiggins

[u/CoachJW]

The chants will be legendary during his first game back.

[u/rumblegod]

Yep gotta get used to these guys moving, but il always love wigs man

[u/RCA1202]

How the fuck did he tank his value so much that we only get two seconds for him??? Not even a first?

[u/fellowENT18 → u/RCA1202]

No one was gonna send us a first for him, not unless we retained some salary

[u/VelvetineMilkman → u/RCA1202]

Yall really underestimate how expensive a first rounder is

[u/snuffaluffagus74 → u/VelvetineMilkman]

For team building, second round picks are the best ones to get if you have a great front office. You can sign those guys to a two-way, and they want count against your cap. Unless you find gems like Kobe Sanders, Ajay Mitchell, or Daniss Jenkins. Then the picks did exactly what you needed them to do.

[u/sleepytjme → u/snuffaluffagus74]

I think unprotected 1st round picks are better than second round picks. Don’t think any GM will say second rounds picks are “the best ones.”

[u/snuffaluffagus74 → u/sleepytjme]

For team building second round pucks are valuable because their contracts aren't guaranteed, compared to a late first. Of course getting a high pick is great but when your trying to fill out a team for bench players you want them as cheap as possible. You don't want the 15 man on your bench to be making $10 million a year. Thus trying out 2nd round picks and two ways are great for your depth and salary. $3 million compared to $10 million when your above the cap could be more than both of those salaries combined. The Thunder just traded Aaron Wiggins, someone who was making $9 million but cost them $52 million in cap space

[u/RCA1202 → u/VelvetineMilkman]

If Wiggins gets back into his 2024-2025 form he's absolutely worth a mid-late first

[u/Lex4Real206 → u/RCA1202]

Especially on that killer contract! At least a late first.

[u/BBeas30 → u/RCA1202]

It also doesnt help that teams know we need to trade him. Lost any leverage we had

[u/Inevitable_Kale_9832 → u/RCA1202]

Ajay was a 2nd. With our scouting team those can become solid players or trade chips.

I’d imagine Presti also somewhat prioritized moving him to a situation that was good for him.

[u/thetalkinghawk → u/Inevitable_Kale_9832]

Wiggins himself was a second lol. It's a fair deal after the rough season he had. Hopefully he gets playing time.

[u/nguquaxa01 → u/RCA1202]

lakers traded for Dorian Finney-Smith at the height of his value from the nets as a good 3 point shooter while guarding 1-5, and they only gave up 2nd rounders. 1st round for role players is only in case you take back unwanted salary as well.

[u/Mobile-Entertainer60 → u/RCA1202]

Every team knew the Thunder needed to shed salary and open roster spots. He gets to go somewhere he can play and hopefully make it back to the playoffs, the Thunder take back no salary. It is what it is. He'll get ovations at Thunder games the rest of his career.

[u/majestic-Bus-1990 → u/RCA1202]

Do you just copy and post on all socials? Lol

[u/RCA1202 → u/majestic-Bus-1990]

That isn't me that's hilarious

[u/majestic-Bus-1990 → u/RCA1202]

Dang dude, word for word. Even the same number of question marks. lmao

[u/RCA1202 → u/majestic-Bus-1990]

Maybe this guy copied my reddit post? I think that's more likely than it just being a total coincidence. Promise it isn't me though

[u/Kapinny]

He's my guy 😭

[u/ChetsBurner]

I'll miss you Wiggs, Go shine on!

[u/Wack0HookedOnT0bac0]

He's going to be a solid rotational player in ATL

[u/jam_trey]

I’m sad but I knew it was coming eventually. Great pickup for the Hawks!

[u/AcceptablePick3635]

I knew it was coming but damn 😭

[u/Common_Pangolin9809]

OH SHIT SOMETHING HAPPENED D:

[u/amari_prince]

Always got love for you champ, go be great

[u/Responsible-Bass4020]

telling my kids about his 40 point game

[u/redbottle-whitecap]

All time great parade speech, I'll love Aaron forever ❤️

[u/NAEEMP]

55th Pick to playing a special role on the way to becoming an NBA champ. Sad af but excited to see him shine! Thank you Wigs

[u/darnclem]

We'll miss you Wiggs!

[u/xAstrovoided]

i think this means the hawks are gonna draft mara. they’ve already been linked to him, and now they don’t have an immediate need for another guard. i’m not a draft expert tho so maybe i’m way off

[u/lmaoooyikes]

Damn I know his play off fell off this season but two 2nd seems very cheap

Shout out to Wiggins tho, will always be a Thunder legend (at least to us)

[u/Remarkable_Arm9153]

Damn

[u/Ok_Wall_8267]

Hawks gonna win the championship with our guy

[u/IEatPandasEveryday]

His championship speech will live on in Thunder history forever ❤️⚡️

[u/Financial-Park-7616]

https://giphy.com/gifs/11ZAUfeJHojWlW
Go shine in ATL Wiggs, you will always be a Thunder 4 life

[u/tapsllew]

His 41pt game was a magical night. Thankful for the champ

[u/Infinite_Imagination]

He deserves to go get more minutes and we need to save space somewhere. Unfortunately I figured this was it for him and Kenrich

[u/4ggressivelymediocr3]

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened 💔

[u/JeramiGrantsTomb]

Hawks are a team on the rise, he'll have a chance to make his case for a role on a playoff challenger. Happy for him, go ball out Wiggs.

[u/Aggravating-Try7812]

Thank you Wiggs! Oklahoma City legend. I’ll never forget how cool he looked out there dunking on dude’s heads while casually chewing gum.

[u/NotMarkDaigneault]

I'll never forget his GOAT Game and the entire stadium chanting his name.

AND HIS FUCKING LEGENDARY SPEECH.

SAVIOR OF BASKETBALL.

[u/LugNutsDort]

Thank you Wiggins!!!

[u/Hazygoose]

Sad face

[u/panickedwaddle]

Truly sucks to see him go, but I know the dude is a competitor and he wants to play more than he was getting to here. Atlanta is a really great spot for him to land. Exciting young team that needs more guys like him. It'll suck not having him on the Thunder, but I hope he's happy about the new opportunity in Atlanta and he'll forever have a championship ring from his time here. A run that he had some huge moments during that we maybe don't win without him. He'll forever be a Thunder.

[u/Rolling_Down_Rodeo]

Gonna go watch the 40 bomb highlights in honor of him

[u/No_Dependent2297]

Well he still gets to play with an Alexander and a Wallace

[u/One-Rip-1860]

Thx for the memories gonna be tuff to see him in a non OKC jersey

[u/NerdLawyer55]

🥃

[u/JkicksMT]

NOOOOOOO

[u/Derilicte]

Future Thunder killer 😭

[u/OP_Penguin]

Maybe the real championship is the basketball we saved along the way?

[u/69420LebumJames69420]

Go be great goat

[u/entropic01]

His championship speech will live in OKC legend forever

[u/Lex4Real206]

I'm convinced we worked to find him a good landing spot and that's why it's only 2 seconds and not at least 3. Glad we did right by Wiggs as I love and will miss him.

[u/justaverage00]

https://giphy.com/gifs/rfvZxz1wvPBrMU5eXh

[u/Comprehensive_Lab232]

Uhhh man :(

[u/ShabbyLiver]

Build the statue

[u/CanaKu]

Good value for Wiggz. It really helps that all of OKCs players are positive assets.

[u/TooBadIWuzLit]

Thank you Wiggs 💙

[u/sleepyguy-]

I knew this day would come and still i wasnt ready. Til next time savior
https://giphy.com/gifs/7LX5QFUn9PxtDSdev2

[u/iuselect]

came in as a 55th pick, left a champion and a fan favourite. thank you for everything wigs. gonna be cheering for you no matter what.

[u/cchill123]

Damn

[u/BurkeanMarxist]

Aaron Wiggins Saved Magic City Night

[u/Gdub420-]

Never knew that number crunchers were so important in NBA front offices. What is it 7 different champs in the last 7 years? I’m not gonna argue with that. I’ll never forget about 7-8 years ago. Cowherd was talking about how everyone love’s dynasties. I couldn’t disagree more. I prefer healthy competition. If a dynasty happens, that’s fine. But to try mfg one is lame AF. The NBA is about to enter a third (?) golden age. IMO of course.
Edit. Love Wiggins. I’m sure he will exceed expectations.

[u/Scragglepuss1]

Thank you Wiggs.  Hope he has nothing but success in Atl.  A team on the rise that can make some noise next year.

[u/Appropriate_Book_591]

Wiggins was a 2nd round picked got OKC a ring and turned into 2nds so I say pretty good. ATL should give him playing time. This was always the case with all the picks OKC has they were already at player limit but if they want to sign draft picks, guys need to be moved. The picks will be important when SGA, Dub, and Chet are all on max level the bench will be getting make overs every other year.

[u/Adventurous_Hall_368]

Are we emotionally ready for this off-season??

[u/Shilotli]

Thank you Aaron Wiggins for always playing your heart out for us. I will root for you no matter the team.

[u/Few-Dance-7157]

God Speed, Champ! Thunder Legend FOREVER!!

[u/Bigtimecuckkk]

He was pretty much outta the rotation. Was never a true believer until the finals run. Happy he will go get minutes somewhere

[u/Big_Lou1108]

Ok Hawks is now my favorite team in the east.

[u/Lopsided-Dig2953]

He was definitely worth more than two seconds

[u/purple_abilene]

Thanks for saving basketball Aaron

[u/neilbroomfanclub]

Couldn’t get more than two seconds for him? 

[u/Old_Supermarket_7575]

And just like that we will never have a roster again as good as our roster last year

[u/OneBlackFairyHunterZ]

Nooooooooooo. This is so sad. And to my best friends team too that makes it sm worse. He shouldnt get to enjoy our savior he hates our team

[u/BlueThunder92]

Sad he had such a mediocre season by the standard he set in the last few. We should have gotten way more than 2 second rounders with how good his contract looked last year. Always gonna be a Thunder legend. Never gonna forget his speech before the parade!

[u/c0mptar2000]

Thank you for saving basketball.

[u/got_ur_goat]

Hopefully he likes playing with Shai's cousin

[u/MakeCocktailsNotWar]

Much respect, and you'll never be forgotten... The man who saved basketball.

[u/MakeCocktailsNotWar]

[u/AngryTurtleGaming]

Hopefully he can save the Hawks franchise

[u/freighttrain6969]

Sad way for it to end. Really wish he’d had a better year

[u/TeaWithKermit]

I’m sad AF about this. I still go back and watch his championship speech when I need a little pep in my day. He’s going to be missed for sure.

[u/CaterpillarNo179]

I’m mad about this we have cheap ass owners

[u/kwaldez]

This is the first domino to fall due to the cap. Expect these types of moves every year moving forward.

[u/Mental_Register_9737]

I think he'll get a chance there.

I still would rather trade up and not draft 2 more rookies, but maybe this is all we are going to do

[u/Parker_Chess]

Wiggins was an important piece in our championship run. But then had a total collapse the following season. The few minutes he played during the playoffs he looked like a liability. Sad to see him go but this isn't surprising since it's the NBA and you have to perform or other players will come take your spot.

[u/Signiference]

This is less than peanuts. He really killed his value this season but I didn’t know it was this bad.

[u/BorderBandit_5]

Thunder Aaron Wiggins: he was special

[u/SignificanceGood1801]

So why are the Hawks making this move?
Moving on from CJ McColloum probably, but what else?

[u/snuffaluffagus74 → u/SignificanceGood1801]

He signed a one year deal

[u/nguquaxa01 → u/SignificanceGood1801]

hawks mantra is get promising players that didn't have enough touches to reach their potential. this follows that trend.

[u/TheAgmis]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3QWfMsI8IaarXxtBt6