On Sunday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder kick-started the NBA trade season by sending Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for two second-round picks. This trade was solely done for financial reasons as the Thunder were far above the second apron. Additionally, the Thunder need to open up roster space.
With the Thunder still being $29.9 million over the second apron and having 16 roster spots, more moves like this are expected to happen. Isaiah Joe is another salary-dump candidate and Lu Dort's team option might not be picked up.
Listen, I'm not here to say the Thunder are going to suddenly collapse. That would be foolish, as Wiggins couldn't even crack their rotation. Regardless, for teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are trying to catch up to the Thunder, it's great news that they have to cut their elite depth.
The Thunder cutting into their depth should give the Timberwolves some hope
Again, the Thunder have more than enough depth to make up for the loss of Wiggins and possibly eventually Joe and Dort. What's made the Thunder special over the past two years, though, is their unmatched depth and now this strength is being cut into a bit.
This, in turn, could crack the door open for the Thunder to be slightly more vulnerable. At the very least, the Thunder don't seem primed to get better this offseason.
Even if the Timberwolves have a dream offseason, it will be difficult for them to truly catch up to the Thunder. Still, the possibility of the Wolves improving their roster, paired with OKC's cost-cutting moves, should give fans some hope.
With a player like Anthony Edwards, you always have a chance and if the Wolves can build a better roster around him, paired with the Thunder making some cost-cutting moves -- Minnesota can't be counted out of the title picture next year.
It is possible that the Thunder gutting into their depth could hurt them (even though Wiggins fell out of their rotation). The Thunder were able to lean on their immense depth throughout the regular season and Wiggins was a big part of that.
Now, the Thunder will have to lean on less proven players like Nikola Topic and whoever they end up drafting for these depth roles.
And yes, having the likes of Cason Wallace and Jared McCain will help immensely, but the point is the Thunder won't have the same top-tier depth they did last year.
Given how dominant and talented the Thunder are, the Wolves need every little thing to break their way to close the gap. Without a doubt, OKC's direction of cost-cutting moves could be helpful as the Wolves try to accomplish the improbable.
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