The Thunder’s desire to re-sign unrestricted free agent forward Jerami Grant could be hampered by luxury tax issues, Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman points out. Oklahoma City is intent on re-signing Paul George and if that happens, it will be well over the league salary cap. Numerous teams will likely offer Grant their mid-level exception with a starting salary of $8.6MM per year,, Dawson continues. At that level, Grant would cost the Thunder an additional $45MM in luxury tax if George signs a max contract, Dawson adds.
In other developments around the Western Conference:
- The Trail Blazers would prefer to retain coach Terry Stotts for the final year of his contract, Marc Stein of the New York Times relays in his latest newsletter. The team’s stars are supporters of Stotts, as is a good chunk of Portland’s fan base, Stein continues. There’s a general sense that Stotts has gotten the most out of the rosters he’s been handed, despite getting swept by the Pelicans in the first round of the playoffs.
- The Lakers’ director of basketball analytics, Jason Rosenfeld, has left the organization, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders tweets. Rosenfeld has accepted an MLB-related position, Pincus adds. Rosenfeld joined the Lakers in October.
- Suns strength and conditioning coach Jeff Fish has resigned, Chris Haynes of ESPN tweets. Fish was just hired during the offseason.
Presti is hallucinating if he thinks George is re-signing with OKC.