As the NBA world awaits a resolution to the long-running Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga, a much smaller yet potentially impactful deal was agreed upon, with the Oklahoma City Thunder parting ways with a member of their 2025 championship roster.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania’s Sunday report, the Thunder are “finalizing a trade to send guard Aaron Wiggins to the Atlanta Hawks for two second-round picks (Atlanta’s in 2030 and the least favorable of Hawks/Lakers in 2032),” with the cost-cutting move sparking polarizing reactions.
NBA World Divided As Thunder Salary Dump Aaron Wiggins
Drafted No. 55 in the 2021 NBA Draft, Wiggins developed into a sparkplug bench scorer for OKC, peaking in the 2024-25 campaign by averaging 12.0 points per game on 48.8% shooting. The 27-year-old wing went on to receive regular rotation minutes during the Thunder’s 2025 title run, establishing himself as a fan favorite.
Unfortunately for Wiggins, his role and production waned in Year 5, leaving him as the odd man out in OKC’s deep rotation as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. were upset by the San Antonio Spurs in this year’s Western Conference finals.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, trading the remaining three years of Wiggins’ five-year, $45 million contract will provide the Thunder with significant financial relief as they seek to retool and keep their core together.
“Entering the offseason, Oklahoma City had a projected tax penalty of $213M. The trade reduces that number to $152M. The Thunder enter the Tuesday Draft with two picks in the top 17 (No. 12 and 17),” Marks tweeted.
Entering the offseason, Oklahoma City had a projected tax penalty of $213M.
The trade reduces that number to $152M.
The Thunder enter the Tuesday Draft with two picks in the top-17 (no. 12 and 17). https://t.co/Oucm1QefBM
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 22, 2026
“The trade also opens up a roster spot for the Thunder. They now have 14 players under contract, including Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Kenrich Williams. The 3 have a team option for next season,” the insider added.
The trade also opens up a roster spot for the Thunder.
They now have 14 players under contract, including Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams .
The 3 have a team option for next season. https://t.co/JPqOuTwceo
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 22, 2026
MORE: NBA Trade Rumors: Eastern Conference Team Attempting to ‘Move Up Into the Top 4’ of 2026 Draft
While such a salary-shedding move involving what Charania described as a “championship role player” was widely expected, the NBA community on X had mixed feelings, with some critiquing OKC’s return.
“Aaron Wiggins headed to Atlanta. The man who saved basketball, helped OKC win their first ever championship, and delivered a title speech for the ages. Wiggins will remain a Thunder legend. He’s a good player and should get minutes with the Hawks. Wishing him all the best,” Thunder beat writer Brandon Rahbar wrote.
Aaron Wiggins headed to Atlanta.
The man who saved basketball helped OKC win their first ever championship and delivered a title speech for the ages.
Wiggins will remain a Thunder legend.
He’s a good player and should get minutes with the Hawks. Wishing him all the best. https://t.co/pijWibpNHs
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) June 22, 2026
“Bro, [Sam] Presti, I get we need roster space, but Aaron Wiggins for two seconds, are u serious?” one OKC supporter vented.
bro Presti i get we need roster space but aaron wiggins for two seconds are u serious
— Zack (@okcclips) June 22, 2026
“Bummed about Wiggins getting traded from the Thunder. Huge developmental win for the Thunder after drafting him 55th overall. Made a huge impact on their title run and was always a huge part of their locker room. He will have a chance to make a huge impact on the Hawks. Great get for them,” The Athletic’s Andrew Schlecht reacted.
Bummed about Wiggins getting traded from the Thunder
Huge developmental win for the Thunder after drafting him 55th overall
Made a huge impact on their title run, and was always a huge part of their locker room.
He will have a chance to make a huge impact on the Hawks.…
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) June 22, 2026
“Hawks got Aaron Wiggins for a box of packing peanuts and extended demon CJ [McCollum], no wonder we haven’t had a repeat champion since the KD Warriors. I’m shaking,” a New York Knicks fan account weighed in.
Hawks got Aaron Wiggins for a box of packing peanuts and extended demon CJ, no wonder we haven’t had a repeat champion since the KD Warriors. I’m shaking https://t.co/3PyPtl3ZoX
— OG Anunoby Addict (@PlayoffBoundNYK) June 22, 2026
“Wow! This is surprising in terms of the value brought back, but not as much in terms of Aaron Wiggins finding a new home. The Thunder had a massive roster crunch, and he sort of lost his spot in the rotation. Wishing Wiggs all the best as he tries to save basketball in Atlanta!” OKC beat reporter Michael Martin opined.
Wow! This is surprising in terms of the value brought back, but not as much in terms of Aaron Wiggins finding a new home.
The Thunder had a massive roster crunch, and he sort of lost his spot in the rotation. Wishing Wiggs all the best as he tries fo save basketball in Atlanta! https://t.co/PpzcYkmtbe
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) June 22, 2026
Across 65 outings this past season, Wiggins averaged 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game, shooting 43.1% overall and 35.6% from 3-point range.
He is set to move from a 64-win juggernaut Thunder team to an upstart 46-win Hawks squad coming off a first-round playoff exit, likely affording him plenty more opportunities to prove himself.
