The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the offseason with over $30 million in cap space to spend. Instead of bringing in outside additions, the Thunder elected to use their financial flexibility by absorbing bad short-term salaries for draft picks.
One of their moves that follow this philosophy is the Patty Mills multi-team trade that landed the 34-year-old to OKC as a $6.8 million expiring salary. He was previously dealt to the Houston Rockets from the Brooklyn Nets.
The Thunder landed three second-round picks in the deal and The Athletic’s Kelly Iko revealed the full details of the three draft picks — the Rockets’ second-round picks in 2024, 2029 and 2030.
The Thunder also acquired the Miami Heat’s 2029 and 2030 second-round picks for taking on Victor Oladipo’s $9.5 million expiring salary. So overall, the Thunder essentially bought five second-round picks for $16.3 million.
