Raymond Felton, the free-agent guard, has agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.4 million with the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking his return to the team. This deal pushes the Thunder’s payroll and luxury tax costs to a record-breaking $3 million in the NBA.
If the Thunder roster remains unchanged for the 2018-19 season, they are projected to pay $150 million in luxury tax. Felton, who previously served as the backup point guard, is now enjoying a career resurgence and is regarded as a valuable teammate, contributing to the team’s chemistry.
Having played for 13 seasons in the NBA, the Thunder marks Felton’s eighth team. He has averaged 6.9 points and 2.5 assists in 82 games over a year with the Thunder. Additionally, he played around 80 games over two seasons with the LA Clippers, averaging 11.4 points and 5.4 assists throughout his NBA career.
In the context of Carmelo Anthony potentially generating $27.9 million in 2017-18, speculations suggest that the Thunder might part ways with him to alleviate their financial burden or extend his contract over three years to ease their salary cap situation.
The Thunder’s significant investments in their roster, despite failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs in 2018, have sparked discussions, with some rumors indicating that trading James Harden in the past was a move aimed at avoiding luxury tax payments.
