Behind the renewal of the new third young man for 822 million yuan: Thunder is still free to advance and retreat, Mr. Pu is too smart!

All old fans know that the most heartbreaking thing in the NBA industry is not losing, but "it's clear that it can succeed, but it's going to break up."

The Thunder in 2012 is an example - Durant, Westbrook and Harden, the three young men, made it to the finals, but Harden was let go due to a 4 million difference, and he never felt the championship trophy again. Today, 13 years later, the same Oklahoma City and the same management Presti did something "the opposite": Alexander 285 million in four years, Homgren 250 million in five years, Jaylen Williams 287 million in five years - three maximum salaries were spent, with a total amount of 822 million, directly locking the new three-year-old to the 2030-31 season.

In the past, fans were scolded for being "crazy", but now, Presti has learned the best this time.

Let's talk about Alexander's contract first. It looks quite scary to see 285 million yuan in four years, but it is actually a "off-peak salary." His salary in the 2025-26 season was only 38.33 million, 40.8 million in the 2026-27 season, and only began to execute a super maximum salary in the 2027-28 season. You should know that the main attackers in the league, such as Curry and Jokic, have an annual salary of 60 million. Alexander has "does 60 million in the 40 million tier" in the past two years, which is equivalent to saving the Thunder 20 million a year - this money is enough to sign two high-quality 3D players.

Look at Homegren and Jaylen Williams again, and they are still in the rookie contract bonus period next season. Homegren's salary in the 2025-26 season was 13.73 million, and Jewe was even more exaggerated, only 6.67 million. With the cheap contracts of rookies like Carson Wallace, the Thunder's total salary for the three cores next season is only 58.73 million, which is much lower than the luxury tax line of 187.9 million. In other words, in the 2025-26 season, the Thunder can keep the championship lineup intact without triggering the luxury tax without triggering the luxury tax.

What is even more amazing is Presti's "backhand". Dort's contract has 17.72 million team options for the 2026-27 season, and Haltenstein's 28.5 million team options, which combined are more than 45 million - if you want to win three consecutive championships, you will stay; if you fail to defend the title, you will cut it directly to make room to adjust the lineup.

But then again, can the Thunder operation really work?

Look at the situation in the east and you will understand: Tatum's Achilles tendon torn, Lillard's Achilles tendon torn, Halliburton's Achilles tendon torn, the two powerful forces in the east, Celtics and Pacers have basically withdrawn from the 2025-26 season championship competition. Whoever comes out of the West will basically win the championship - and the Thunder happens to be the strongest in the West.

, but what about the future? In the 2027-28 season, Alexander's super maximum salary began to be executed, and Homgren and Jewish also had the maximum salary. The total salary of the three young people exceeded 150 million, accounting for more than 70% of the salary cap. By then, the Thunder's total salary may trigger a luxury tax of 510 million yuan, becoming the league's "most money-burning team". But Presti had expected this day: Isia Joe's 11.3 million team option, Jerin Williams's 7.7 million team option, and a bunch of first-round picks you have saved, you can make room by just doing it at that time.

To put it bluntly, Thunder’s current strategy is to "rush to death if you can, and if you can't rush, you can dismantle it." The 2025-26 season is the best window for defending the title. There are no opponents in the East and there are rookie bonuses inside. When will you wait until you don’t make it? If the title is successful, he can still win three consecutive championships in 2026-27; if he fails, he will trade Homgren or Jewish before the 2027-28 season, and Alexander's maximum salary has not yet taken full effect, so it is time to rebuild.

13 years ago, the Thunder saved 4 million to let Harden go, which became a difficult time for countless fans; 13 years later, the Thunder spent 822 million to lock the new third young master in order to make up for the regrets that year. In the NBA industry, the most unabashed thing is "if" - if Harden was left behind that year, would the Thunder win the championship earlier? But now, Presti tells everyone with practical actions: this time, there is no "if".

Thunder's abacus is jingling: salary explosion is inevitable, but before the explosion, how many championships can be won and how many memories can be left is the key. After all, for a team that is determined to be a dynasty, "now" is always more important than "future".