The Thunder took a major step toward the construction of a new arena. The Oklahoma City city council approved a development agreement with team ownership for a new downtown arena on Tuesday, Jessie Christoper Smith of The Oklahoman reports.
Oklahoma City voters previously overwhelmingly approved a 72-month, one-cent sales tax to fund construction of a new arena at a $900MM minimum cost.
Per the new agreement, the city would first invest $78MM originally meant to be spent on improving the current Paycom Center. Then, the city would spend $50MM contributed by the Thunder ownership, before using a minimum of $772MM via the sales tax.
The city will work with the team on an earlier target schedule, outlining a possible completion of the arena as early as June 2028. City officials often have said they hope to complete the arena ahead of the 2029/2030 season. Thunder ownership can terminate the agreement if the city does not meet the 2030 deadline.
We have more on the Thunder:
- They have an interesting decision to make involving Aaron Wiggins, who has become a valuable rotation piece. They hold a $1.99MM option on his contract for next season but they could choose to decline Wiggins’ team option in order to make him a restricted free agent. Then, they could sign him to a long-term pact, Rylan Stiles of Sports Illustrated notes, similar to the way they locked up Luguentz Dort.
- With some key players still on rookie contracts, the Thunder have the opportunity to use their assets and find one more impact player, John Hollinger of The Athletic opines. The postseason showed that their most glaring is a secondary play-maker with size, though identifying and acquiring the right player to fill that void will be difficult.
- In case you missed it, Gordon Hayward was unhappy over his lack of playing time in the postseason.
If Allen’s available, and I think he is, there is nothing stopping OKC for the win
Probably need a 3rd team but OKC can facilitate anything today
Not sure OKC is going to have a line out the door for someone to help them get the missing piece unless Presti is willing to over pay.
When you have a chance to put together a championship contender, a bit of an overpay is forgiveable if the fit is ideal. Only Presti knows if he feels that way about Allen and his associated cost.
I think Klay Thompson could be a good target for OKC.
In the playoffs they ended up dropping Giddey out of the starters cause he couldn’t shoot and they needed someone that can hit threes. The other thing this teams is missing is experience and I think Klay gives them exactly what they are looking for. Although he’s fallen off he still averaged something like 18 points shooting 38% from 3. He was tasked with being the number 2 option which he just can’t do anymore, whereas in OKC he’d be more like a 4th option with SGA JDub and Chet.
For Klay he gets to stay out west, likely sign for a 1 or 2 year contract and earn a good amount of money as OKC has money to spend.
Klay’s not leaving Golden State. Lacob doesn’t have the stones.
Problem with Klay is he’s not worth big money anymore, and if the money is equal he’s staying in Golden State. It would take a crazy overpay to pry him loose and he’s just not worth it anymore.
They should obviously target AD, give Lakers bunch of first, let them start over.
OKC can have anyone but Hartenstein for an upgrade. Hopefully Hartenstein wants to stay in New York instead of chasing a ring somewhere else. This is probably the Knicks biggest Off-season since LBJ made his decision. Maybe now NY can convince someone to come. Booker or Mikal come to MSG. PLEASE!!!!
LeBron was never going to play for the Knicks, he’s never even considered it, so why would his decision have made any impact on the Knicks?
Because of the Knicks clearing all that cap space only to settle for Amare. All false hope. Also because I unfortunately believed some people in the media he was coming to NY. Now he can F OFF and I hope he never wins another ring. No team should ever trade with LA to help them get better. I’m not bitter at all trust me. Haha