Thunder reportedly trading Aaron Wiggins to Hawks for picks in deal that provides tax relief for OKC
The Oklahoma City Thunder are finalizing a commerce to ship Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks in alternate for two second-round picks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
Per the report, OKC will obtain Atlanta’s 2030 choice and the least favorable between the Hawks’ and the Lakers‘second-round alternatives in 2032. The Hawks owned the rights to the Lakers’ 2032 choose.
Deal might save OKC greater than $60M
Perhaps extra importantly, the deal presents important luxurious tax relief for the Thunder. By ESPN’s Bobby Marksthe commerce reduces OKC’s projected luxurious tax penalty subsequent season from $213 million to $152 million.
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The Thunder have two picks (Nos. 12 and No. 17) in the primary spherical of the upcoming draft that begins Tuesday. Those picks will include two first-round salaries except the Thunder consolidates them to transfer up or commerce one in every of them away.
The Hawks purchase a doubtlessly priceless rotation participant in Wiggins at a low value.
(Sarah Stier through Getty Images)
Wiggins, 27, has performed his total five-season NBA profession with the Thunder. He was a priceless bench piece for OKC who stepped up to begin 47 video games in the final two seasons in harm relief. In 65 common season video games final season, Wiggins averaged 9.4 factors, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per sport.
But he performed a decreased position in the postseason and through the prior season’s playoffs as Oklahoma City gained the NBA championship.
Thunder’s depth made Wiggins expendable
Wiggins averaged 1.5 factors in 5.8 minutes per sport whereas enjoying in 13 of Oklahoma City’s 15 playoff video games this season. Jared McCainwhom the Thunder acquired through a midseason commerce from the 76ersdeveloped to play a extra outstanding position off the bench in the playoffs and initiatives to proceed to achieve this subsequent season.
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The Thunder characteristic super depth in the backcourt and seem to have prioritized luxurious tax financial savings over retaining Wiggins on a deep bench.
For the Hawks, they purchase a doubtlessly priceless rotation participant for the comparatively low-cost value of two future second-round picks. Wiggins has three years remaining on a five-year, $45 million contract that has a staff choice for the 2028-29 season.
