Tuesday, May 26, 2026

What Does the Paul George Trade Mean Financially for the Thunder?

George to make less than Oladipo in 17–18 season.

Paul George will now team up with Russell Westbrook in OKC. Image via NBA.com/Getty Images

With NBA free agency upon us, the Thunder have made the biggest splash of the night so far.

Paul George has officially been traded to OKC for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.


Beyond improving the Thunder on the court, the trade opens up cap space for the team as Oladipo’s contract carries a higher cap hit than does George’s.

In 2017–18, George’s contract will carry a cap hit of $19,508,958 while Oladipo’s contract will carry a cap hit of $21,000,000.

While the move does free up cap space for the Thunder, according to spotrac, the team still currently sits at $9 million dollars over the projected 2017 NBA Salary Cap of $99 million. Because of this, the team may only sign outside players using any available exceptions or at league minimum salaries.

With the move, it is obvious that Sam Presti, Oklahoma City’s General Manager, is going all in hoping that Russell Westbrook will sign a max extension once free agency opens.

Whether he signs it now or next summer, it appears that Westbrook will get his supermax extension valued at well over $200 million.

While the moves in Oklahoma City are far from done, two names to look for as it strikes midnight is the resigning of Andre Roberson and a possible steal in signing veteran power forward Zach Randolph.


Front Office Sports is a leading multi-platform publication and industry resource that covers the intersection of business and sports.

Want to learn more, or have a story featured about you or your organization? Contact us today.

https://upscri.be/f32ae1

If you liked this, click the???? below so other people will see this here on Medium.


This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

May 25, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks lift the 2026 Eastern Conference trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena.

Title-Starved Knicks Fans Push Finals Tickets to $3,700

Demand for games at Madison Square Garden reaches Super Bowl-like levels.

James Dolan’s Controversial $30M Thibodeau Firing Has Paid Off

Mike Brown has the Knicks in their first Finals since 1999.
May 25, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) high fives New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena.

Knicks Reach First NBA Finals Since 1999

The Knicks are looking for the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973.

Featured Today

May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.
May 22, 2026

Big Money on the Line on Premier League’s Final Day

Arsenal has won the title, but millions are still at stake.
Texas State mascot
May 22, 2026

Mascot-Reveal Videos Are the Newest College Sports Tradition

Student mascot unmasking videos are going mega-viral.
Charlie Pliner and Nikolas Rohrmann
May 22, 2026

How 2 Brown Undergrads Became Sports Dealmakers

An experimental project turned into a permanent course and business deal network.
St. John's Zuby Ejiofor

Why Rev-Share Era Hasn’t Been a Boon for Basketball-Only Schools

Power conference men’s basketball rosters aren’t restricted to the rev-share cap.
NBA Cup
November 26, 2025

Luka Dončić Wants ‘Dangerous’ NBA Cup Court Designs Changed

Dončić first complained about the court designs two seasons ago.
February 11, 2026

Jameis Winston Says He’s Given Seven Figures to Florida State

Winston led Florida State football to its last national championship. 
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
Fernando Tatis
October 6, 2025

Arbitrator Says Tatis Jr. Must Pay Big League Advance Millions

Tatis has called the agreement a “predatory” loan.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs after a reception during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
August 19, 2025

Oklahoma Selling Fans Tickets to Press Conferences

Press conference tickets for the Sooners’ season opener are already sold out.
August 11, 2025

NBA Christmas Slate Leans on LeBron, Steph; Bets on Flagg

The Lakers, Warriors, and Rockets are all in action.