2022 Trade Deadline Tracker: Increasing Value of Draft Capital

To kick off the week of the deadline, Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reported that the 76ers could look to create the cap space to sign a star outright at some point in the future. Multiple league sources have mentioned to Fischer the possibility of a Sixers trade with the Thunder to move Harris into Oklahoma City's bounty of cap space.

While it's unclear whether the Thunder would buy out Harris in this scenario or look to flip him for more assets, it's intriguing. For the Thunder to be willing to facilitate this type of deal to help Philadelphia clear cap space, they would need to be compensated in some way.

Fischer reports that no significant conversations have been had yet between the two sides, but it is something to monitor. Philadelphia already owes its top-six protected 2025 first-round pick to the Thunder, but they could remove those protections while also offering additional draft capital to Oklahoma City.

NBA insider Marc Stein mentioned today that Oklahoma City is a ‘must-watch’ team at the moment. He notes that with nearly $34 million in cap space, they’re viewed as a ‘virtual given’ around the league to make a move in absorbing unwanted contracts.

As such, the Thunder will look to be compensated for taking on a deal an opposing team doesn’t want. This isn’t a new concept, but certainly solidifies what OKC is prioritizing ahead of the deadline with cap flexibility and an open roster spot. 

The day before the deadline came to a close, the Thunder made a move with the Miami Heat. It was a move in which Oklahoma City acquired KZ Okpala for a second-round pick.

This deal was much deeper than that trade though, as future pick protections on a Miami first rounder that OKC owned were lifted. At the surface, Okpala was a roster-clearing move for the Heat and would likely be waived by the Thunder.

Rather than feeling like he had to make a move, Thunder GM Sam Presti stayed patient as the deadline passed. Kenrich Williams stayed on the team beyond the Thursday milestone, making him a member of the team for at least the remainder of this season.

Although surprising to some, not making a move was likely in the Thunder's best interests. Impulse trade deadline moves often backfire on teams.

The day after the deadline had passed, the Thunder announced that they would be waiving KZ Okpala, who was acquired in a deal with the Heat just days before. Although not shocking news, it does open up the 15th and final roster spot on the Thunder.

How will it be filled? Perhaps two-way guard Aaron Wiggins could be promoted by the end of the season.