John Wayne

Creator of the sports blog Behind the Arc | Talking OKC Thunder and Arkansas Razorback Basketball | Basketball Fanatic | Arkansas alum

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

This was expected. Now we wait to see if Dort is here to stay or gets traded

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

The Oklahoma City Thunder are picking up forward Lu Dort's $17.7 million team option for the 2026-27 season, sources tell ESPN.

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

@albertoeghim @NoCeilingsNBA Abdou Toure is a 6’5” wing, not a PF. Hard for me to pass up on Bill Richmond at 15 though. But I like this for OKC, great mock

[Andrew Schlecht @AndrewKSchlecht]

The deadline to pick up the contract options for Lu Dort and Kenrich Williams is today at 4:00 CST

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

If OKC trades Lu Dort, their team salary drops to $218.3M with a tax penalty of $33.6M

They get under the 2nd apron by $3.4M and save $92M in taxes from this move

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

The OKC Thunder started the offseason with $249.4M on the books resulting in a $212M tax penalty

After trading Aaron Wiggins, the team salary was $240.4M with a $152.2M tax penalty, saving about $60M in taxes

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

OKC’s next viable option is trading Lu Dort. He has a team option worth $17.7M and is extension eligible

Even though he is one of the best on-ball perimeter defenders in the league, he doesn’t really fit with how the Thunder are evolving offensively

[Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA]

Isaiah Hartenstein's new contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder is likely to come in at $25M flat per season for 3/$75M total. Because the final year is a player option (which then becomes partially/non-guaranteed), the year prior can't be at a lower salary. The Thunder won't want to use standard 8% raises, because that could cause apron issues in Years 2 and 3 of the deal. They won't start it high, because it could only decline for one year and that causes apron issues this season. So, flat is what makes the most logical sense.

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

@NateDuncanNBA @DortNowitzki I do think they will get under. Trading Lu Dort gets them under by $3.4M with one roster spot open. They may resign KRich to a team friendly deal too.
The less they pay now the better

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

@dailythunder @NateDuncanNBA @DortNowitzki I know. I was just saying there no limit to what the team salary can be, but it’s ultimately up to the owners on how expensive this team can get since they have to pay the tax penalty

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

@NateDuncanNBA @DortNowitzki Who says they have to get under the second apron? That’s not a requirement. It’s up to the owners on how much they’re willing to pay in tax penalties. And OKC is the most well-equipped team to operate over the second apron

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Hartenstein and his reps, Andrew Morrison and Aaron Mintz of CAA Sports, worked with the Thunder on an agreement that brings $75 million in new money over the next three years -- plus a maximum 15% trade kicker and a unique mutual option that allows both parties to rework the agreement again in 2028 prior to the final season.

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Just in: Oklahoma City's Isaiah Hartenstein intends to sign a new three-year contract to return to the Thunder through 2028-29 that brings his total earnings with the franchise at five years and $134 million guaranteed, sources tell ESPN. A key signing in 2024 leading to the 2025 championship, Thunder lock in the defensive anchor.

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Just in: The Oklahoma City Thunder are trading sharpshooter Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.

[Derek Parker @DParkOK]

Bennett Stirtz scouting report:

-Pick and Roll Scoring
-Pick and Roll Play-Making
-Shooting
-Feel for the Game

Home run pick.

🔗: https://t.co/EP2CAsMQMe

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

Bennett Stirtz is a fantastic pick for OKC. Going to be a contributor in the playoffs

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

Not a fan of this pick

[Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar]

OKC Thunder select Aday Mara at #12.

7'3". Incredible playmaker. Elite rim protector. Great scorer in the paint.

Championship pedigree.

Many thought OKC would have to trade up to get him but Mara falls to OKC at #12.

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

Dailyn Swain has to be the pick here for OKC

[John Wayne @behindthearc_]

Brayden Burries and Yaxel Lendeborg off the board for the Thunder