The Oklahoma City Thunder are already having to navigate season-ending injuries to key players, but they also soon have to make a massive financial decision regarding recent first-round picks. Thunder prospects Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber are set to earn a combined $12.5 million next season.
That might not seem like much for two recent first-round picks, but it could prove costly to the Thunder. They are already in the luxury tax, and paying those two players a combined $12.5 million would result in them adding $60 million to the luxury tax bill.
That means in addition to their salaries and the luxury tax, they'd be paying out $72 million in total. That's a massive price tag and one that the Thunder may look to avoid by waving before the November 2nd deadline.
The Thunder have a looming $60 million deadline for Topic and Sorber
It seems more likely than not that the Thunder would decline both players' options for next season, which would make them unrestricted free agents in 2027-28. That will be a disappointing outcome given the promise of both players, though not entirely unexpected.
The Thunder are simply too deep, and neither player has been able to carve out a significant role with the team. The best-case scenario for all involved would be to have their team options declined or trade them. That would give the Thunder breathing room in terms of the luxury tax while giving those players a chance to carve out a role elsewhere.
What could complicate their decision to pick up their team options includes their need for cheap contracts. While both players could cost them a fortune in luxury tax, their actual salaries are relatively cheap.
On the other hand, the Thunder may have already replaced Sorber with Aday Mara, and Topic seems snakebitten with misfortune.
Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber's options are likely to be declined
My best guess is that Topic and Sorber's options are likely to be declined. The Thunder simply can't justify giving them more time at that price tag. Topic had an ACL tear, followed by a cancer diagnosis, then had back surgery, all in about two years.
The kid deserves a chance to show what he can do once fully healthy, but that might never happen in OKC. I was high on Sorber during the draft process, but he hasn't gotten much of a chance in OKC and will miss this season with an ACL tear.
It's probably for the best if both players have their options declined, giving them the chance to possibly carve out roles elsewhere. Meanwhile, for the Thunder, they could save a fortune by declining their team options.
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