A significant deal has been struck just days before the NBA Draft, with the Oklahoma City Thunder parting ways with Aaron Wiggins for both financial and roster strategic reasons.
The Thunder, who were champions in 2025, are sending Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for two second-round draft picks. These include the Hawks’ 2030 second-rounder and the lesser of the picks from the Hawks and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2032 Draft. This news was widely reported by multiple media outlets.
This trade has important financial implications for the Thunder, primarily serving as a ‘salary dump move’. By shedding Wiggins’ contract, the Thunder will remove his $9.2 million salary for the upcoming season from their books. This action alone is projected to reduce the team’s expected luxury tax bill from $213 million to $152 million.
It’s possible this might not be the last financially motivated move for OKC. With new contracts for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren kicking in next season, the Western Conference’s top seed this year is compelled to make cost-saving adjustments, which could also impact Isaiah Hartenstein.
The Thunder hold a team option for the German center, and in recent weeks, doubts have grown about whether the franchise will exercise the $28.5 million option. However, his continued presence with the team remains likely, as a new long-term, but initially more cost-effective, contract agreement between the player and the team could be reached.
After Crucial Minutes in Championship Season: Wiggins Recently Had a Diminished Role
Wiggins’ departure offers advantages for OKC beyond just financial relief. With this trade made just days before the Draft, Oklahoma City also frees up another roster spot. Currently, 14 players are under contract, and the Thunder are positioned to select three new talents during the upcoming NBA Draft. They hold the 12th and 17th picks in the first round, along with the 37th pick in the second round. There had been speculation that the Thunder might look to trade up for one of the draft’s top prospects.
OKC originally selected Wiggins 55th overall in the 2021 Draft. The guard quickly established himself in the rotation, averaging a little over 20 minutes per game over the past five seasons. He primarily came off the bench, averaging 8.7 points per game.
During the 2024 championship season, the 27-year-old had his most productive year, averaging 12.0 points per game. He also contributed in the playoffs, playing an average of 13.8 minutes per game during the postseason. This year, he saw his minutes in the backcourt rotation decrease as Shooting Star Ajay Mitchell and newcomer Jared McCain gained more playing time. In the 2026 playoffs, Wiggins only received 5.8 minutes per game from Head Coach Mark Daigneault.
With the Hawks, he is expected to initially come off the bench again. The Hawks recently extended the contract of CJ McCollum and also have Nickeil Alexander-Walker, another strong guard, on their roster. Alexander-Walker could serve as a model for Wiggins. After a lesser role with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he experienced a surprising surge in performance in his first year in Atlanta, earning the Most Improved Player award.
NBA: Aaron Wiggins’ Statistics with OKC
| Season | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/2026 | 65 | 21.8 | 9.4 | 3.1 | 1.7 |
| 2024/2025 | 76 | 22.9 | 12.0 | 3.9 | 1.8 |
| 2023/2024 | 78 | 15.7 | 6.9 | 2.4 | 1.1 |
| 2022/2023 | 70 | 18.5 | 6.8 | 3.0 | 1.1 |
| 2021/2022 | 50 | 24.2 | 8.3 | 3.6 | 1.4 |