Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective OKC Set Up For Dynasty? Best RFA’s Remaining & LeBron’s Lakers Future
4 snips
Jul 15, 2025 The discussion kicks off with the Oklahoma City Thunder securing long-term contracts for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, positioning them as strong championship contenders. The conversation shifts to the top restricted free agents still on the market and the complexities of their contracts. They also analyze the Lakers' future, particularly LeBron's role as the team evolves into Luka's era. Insights into roster management and financial strategies further highlight the challenges teams face in today's competitive landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Thunder's Strong Core Locked Long-Term
- The Thunder locked in their championship core with long-term max contracts for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, setting a strong foundation for the next five years.
- Their contracts have no player opt-outs, enabling organizational control but creating financial challenges ahead.
Thunder's Salary and Depth Strategy
- The Thunder will soon face financial decisions over role players like Lou Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein but have a strong luxury tax management plan.
- Sam Presti's abundant draft assets position the team well to manage future salary challenges and maintain a championship-level supporting cast.
Thunder's Salary Growth and Competitive Window
- The Thunder's three star players cost $59 million next season but will balloon to $150 million by 2027-28.
- They still have a competitive window where capped salaries allow championship contention and roster depth via incoming lottery picks.