Thursday, October 8, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

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

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

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.


Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Buss Siblings: Jeanie Can’t Block Sale of Lakers Stake

Jeanie is acting purely out of self-interest, her siblings say.
Charles Barkley Shaquille O'Neal
First at FOS

Shaquille O’Neal on Charles Barkley Retiring: ‘I Don’t Believe That’

Barkley has walked back retirement plans before, most recently in 2024.

LSU Still Lists Just Four Players on Eve of First Exhibition Game

LSU still doesn’t list enough players to fill out a starting five.

WNBA Semifinals Open With 1.15M Viewers, Up 10%

NBC aired its first WNBA playoff game in more than two decades.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/7/26 – EuroLeague Rejects NBA, LeBron’s Helicopter Sparks Backlash, $12M Super Bowl Ads

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
October 2, 2026

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025
September 28, 2026

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.

PGA Championship Tees Off With Free Food, Record Hospitality Sales

General admission includes unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Ryan Wedding
March 7, 2025

Feds Put $10M Bounty on Olympian for Murder, Cocaine Trafficking

Ryan Wedding competed at the 2002 Winter Games for Canada.
Jun 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Blues center Ivan Barbashev (49) and right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in game seven of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden
May 15, 2025

The 10 Biggest Stanley Cup Upsets of All Time

Since the 1984–1985 NHL season, 10 squads have defied the odds.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Caitlin Clark
February 28, 2025

Chicago Sky Finally Move Caitlin Clark Games to United Center

The games could enter WNBA attendance record books.
AAF
February 27, 2025

Six Years After AAF’s Collapse, $180 Million Lawsuit Lives On

A Texas judge will determine whether the collapse was mismanagement or fraud.
San Diego FC
February 19, 2025

$500M San Diego FC Debut Highlights Surging MLS Valuations

Club ownership paid a league-record $500 million expansion fee.
Tom Brady
February 7, 2025

Tom Brady Calls Chiefs Conspiracy Theories ‘BS’

The Fox analyst defended NFL refs ahead of Super Bowl LIX.