The Oklahoma City Thunder took a huge leap this season as they finished with the No. 1 overall seed in the Western Conference and reached the second round of the NBA playoffs. Although they fell to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals, they are not far off in terms of being a legitimate title contender. The Thunder need just a few tweaks in NBA free agency and that starts with re-signing a couple of their own free agents.
One of the biggest needs the Thunder have in NBA free agency is adding a real backup center to take some of the load off of Chet Holmgren. Jaylin Williams does an admirable job, but he's undersized and better suited to forward. The Thunder need someone who can spell Holmgren and at times play alongside him. While the search for a big man should take priority, the Thunder need to keep a few of their free agents in the fold, namely Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.
The Thunder have a few other free agents but all the rest of them are expendable. There's no pressing need to re-sign any of the others. But Joe and Wiggins provide value and were both key players off the bench this past season. The Thunder hold the option though for both players as they have player options.
Isaiah Joe should be the Thunder's top priority out of their own free agents
The No. 49 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Isaiah Joe had a solid couple of seasons from 2020-2022. But the Sixers opted to cut him before the 2022-23 season and their loss ended up being the Thunder's gain.
The Thunder signed Joe almost immediately after the 76ers cut him and he ended up making an immediate impact. He's been in the conversation as one of the better Sixth Men in the NBA. Last season he averaged a career-high 9.5 points. This past season, suited up in 78 games for the Thunder, including one start, at a little over 18 minutes per game.
He averaged 8.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists with splits of 45.8 percent shooting from the field, 41.6 percent shooting from the from the three-point line and 86.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line. His field goal percentage and three-point percentage were both career-highs.
It's not easy to find a consistent, capable scoring threat off the bench. That's what the Thunder have in Joe. They would be wise to pick up his player option and keep him around for next season.
Aaron Wiggins is a do-it-all player off the Thunder bench
Aaron Wiggins is in a similar situation to Isaiah Joe in that the Thunder hold a player option for next season. The Thunder could opt to decline the player option for both players, have them hit restricted free agency and sign them to a longer extension. In any case, the Thunder need Wiggins back on the bench for the 2024-25 season.
Wiggins is a prime example of how good the Thunder scouting staff has been. There's a reason why they have so many upcoming draft picks, they believe in their staff and the ability to find impact players no matter what. Wiggins was the No. 55 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He was originally a two-way contract player before having his deal converted.
This past season, Wiggins appeared in 78 games, including four starts, at a little over 15 minutes per game. He averaged 6.9 points, 2,4 rebounds and 1.1 assists with splits of 56.2 percent shooting from the field, 49.2 percent shooting from the three-point line and 78.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
Wiggins is a do-it-all type of player who has developed into a consistent three-point threat as well as a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions.
The Thunder are close to being a championship contender and with their haul of draft picks, they'll be able to add to this core for years to come. They just need to take care of a couple of their own players in the immediate future.
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