NBA exec says Thunder ‘never have to panic’ despite mounting injuries

Nique Clifford cost the Thunder two second-round picks. Adding him to the payroll carries a considerably larger price.

According to Eric Pincus of Casino.org, the acquisition increases Oklahoma City’s projected luxury-tax bill by $11.8 million, from $19.7 million to nearly $31.5 million.

That’s a meaningful commitment for a team that spent the summer reducing salary. Injuries have given the Thunder reason to spend again.

Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace are facing lengthy absences following surgery, while Chet Holmgren is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks. Clifford gives Oklahoma City another young player to develop while addressing an immediate shortage of depth.

“OKC never has to panic. They still have enough draft capital to restock, whatever happens,” an Eastern Conference executive told Pincus.

The Thunder sent the Kings a 2028 second-round pick via the Jazz and a 2030 second via the Timberwolves. Clifford carries a $3.3 million salary this season.

The approach resembles Oklahoma City’s earlier acquisition of Jared McCain, using draft assets to add a young player rather than waiting to make another selection.

“That’s what the Thunder do with their picks; they don’t use most of them to draft players, but to add depth (by trade) and flip for more picks,” the executive said.

Pincus also examined whether the Thunder could receive disabled player exceptions for Williams or Wallace. Those approvals are uncertain because the team has left open the possibility of their returns before the season ends.

Either way, Oklahoma City has other tools. Pincus reports that the Thunder retain sizable trade exceptions from their offseason departures, giving them avenues to acquire additional salary. He believes the exception created by Aaron Wiggins’ departure was used to absorb Clifford.

The roster is now full at 15 players, so another addition would require a corresponding move.

The larger question is how much more the Thunder are willing to spend. They have the picks and trade exceptions to pursue help. Clifford’s arrival shows that even a relatively modest acquisition can produce a substantial tax increase.

For a team trying to hold up through several major injuries, that’s a price Oklahoma City has decided is worth paying.