With the official opening of the free market, many teams completed more than 25 signings on the first day, including Harden 2 years 70 million stay, Paul 1 year 11 million to join the Spurs, George 4 years 2.12 to the 76ers, Maxey 5 years 204 million contract extension and many other blockbuster operations, most of these operations are concentrated in the daytime, in the operation of each team fell behind for a while, the Thunder team suddenly made a force at night, signed 3 strong generals in one breath, 13 people were released, and Zhou Qi's old opponent was happy to mention the fat contract.
Harden signed with the Thunder
According to reports from Shams and Woj, the Thunder and Harden have agreed to a three-year, $87 million contract.
As the No. 43 pick in '17, Hatten is a typical late-blooming player, and after being drafted by the Rockets, he once competed with Zhou Qi for the role of backup center and was cut directly by the Rockets.
Then he went to many teams such as the Nuggets and the Cavaliers to find work, and finally completed his transformation and self-certification in the Knicks.
In the 23-24 season, Hatten played in a total of 75 regular season games, averaging 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, and played in 13 playoff games, averaging 8.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
If you just look at the data and role positioning, the signing of the Thunder is obviously at a premium, but combined with the follow-up reports and the actual needs of the Thunder, this signing is very good.
The first is that the Thunder are in dire need of a blue-collar interior who can provide rebounds and rim protection, and Harden fits the bill perfectly, with Harden averaging 3.3 frontcourt rebounds per game last season and fifth in the league last season, and that number has improved to 3.8 per game in the playoffs.
At the same time, according to the follow-up report of team reporter Stefan Bondy, the amount of Hatten's contract is decreasing year by year, and the final year is not guaranteed, considering that the Knicks, who hold the early bird, can offer Harden a four-year contract of $72.5 million, the Thunder's signing can be described as a precise reinforcement.
In addition to successfully poaching Harden from the Knicks, the Thunder also have two long-term contracts with two key rotation players.
The first is that the Thunder agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract extension with Isaiah Joe.
Last season, Isaiah Joe was one of the core rotations of the Thunder, playing in 78 regular season games, averaging 18.5 minutes per game, shooting 8.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.6 steals on 41.6% three-point shooting.
Then he quickly used a five-year, $47 million long-term contract, leaving another role player who has performed well, Aaron Wiggins.
In the 23-24 season, Aaron Wiggins played in 78 regular season games, averaging 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.7 steals in 15.7 minutes per game, and his three-point shooting rate was as high as 49.2%.
The Thunder management's two contract extensions can be described as shrewd and humane, because before completing the contract extension, the Thunder first rejected the two of them for a cheap team option for the last year.
Originally, Isaiah Joe (2.1 million) and Aaron Wiggins (2 million) were both carrying team options, but the Thunder did not choose to squeeze their value out, but rejected the team option in advance, providing them with a long-term contract that is relatively in line with their value.
After signing 3 people in one go, the Thunder 13 people were released
Projected starters: Alexander, Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Caruso, Hatten;
Subs: Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams, Carson Wallace, Kenrich Williams, Topic (rookie) and Dieng.