For the first time in Oklahoma City Thunder history, they will become a luxury tax team in an attempt to keep their currently skilled roster together.
No, the Thunder did not go into the luxury tax when they were considering re-signing James Harden, the actually traded away the bearded one to avoid dipping into the luxury tax.
As the Thunder are faced with the pressure of keeping franchise stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook over the next two summers, they have to prove to those two that they are serious. The Portland Trail Blazers elected to test how serious the Thunder were about keeping Enes Kanter by offering the restricted free agent a max contract, forcing the Thunder to either match or let Kanter walk.
Thunder GM Sam Presti has planned for this and he’s previously stated the team will match any offer for Kanter. There’s no better way to prove you’re serious as an NBA team other than spending some money. OKC is expected to fulfill Presti’s wish and match the offer sheet for Kanter.
Following from David Aldridge of NBA.com and Turner Sports.
Source indicates OKC will, as expected, match the 4-year, $70M offer sheet today for big man Enes Kanter, given Thursday by Portland.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 12, 2015
The debate whether Kanter deserves a max contract is a legitamite one. Kanter might be one of the worst defenders in the NBA. Both in transition and just one-on-one against his assignment. On the flipside, Kanter has a lot of offensive skills down in the post and he do some great things with ball in his hands.
Also up for consideration is the rising NBA salary cap. Kanter’s contract won’t look too bad after next season and the Thunder will not be into the luxury tax. Hopefully they won’t.
It’s just interesting to see that the Thunder will be actually spending extra money when they have never been known to do so. They’ve sent away potential big talents to stay under that luxury tax line and now, with the looming free agency decisions of Durant and Westbrook, the Thunder aren’t holding back.
