Just recently, Oklahoma City Thunder officially extended the contracts of their significant players and have secured the team's future. OKC starters Victor Olapido and Steven Adams have agreed to long-term contract extensions according to Bleacher Report. The whole organization is in full re-building mode on their roster and is still looking for pieces that could help them keep the franchise competitive in the Western conference.
After losing star player Kevin Durant to free agency, Oklahoma City Thunder is looking for role players that will compliment well with their remaining superstar Russell Westbrook. At the start of the 2016-2017 NBA season, the Thunder traded their long-time starting center, Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic for Victor Olapido, Ersan Ilyasova, and rookie Domantas Sabonis in a report by NBA.com.
The Thunder is not yet done making up for the void that was left by Durant when he joined the Golden State Warriors, tweaking its roster by sending forward Ersan Ilyasova and a conditional first-round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers and in return, acquiring 3rd year small forward Jerami Grant who had a career-high season with 76ers, averaged 9.7 points with 4.7 rebounds a game last season via ESPN news.
Jerami Grant will bring more defensive intensity, a quality player who only earns $980,000 this season which will also help and impact the Thunder financially after spending big on Steven Adams worth $100M and Victor Olapido for $84M contract extensions.
With these strategy and player movements by the Thunder, it absolutely helped them form a somewhat formidable and a competitive lineup at a discounted rate. Saving the team millions of dollars per season and for being below the luxury tax, this will put them in a better place where they can also sign another superstar or a relevant contributor through free agency.
