3 Oklahoma City Thunder Who Won't Be Back Next Season

It was certainly a tremendous season for the Oklahoma City Thunder by any metric, as the young up-and-coming team vaulted to the top of the Western Conference, going into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the West. But their Cinderella season came crashing down at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks in the second round, in a six-game series loss.

The Thunder have a very promising young roster, but not every piece was a perfect fit, and some will not be back next season. A look now at 3 OKC players who won't return for 2024-25.

Josh Giddey

Just a day after their elimination, the Giddey rumors have already started.

The Thunder are widely expected to shop Josh Giddey in trade talks this offseason, who has now become extension eligible.

OKC will likely attempt to trade Giddey alongside some of their 13 future first-round picks to secure an impact player who is a cleaner rotation fit. pic.twitter.com/G1Y7b9Xopl
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 20, 2024

The beleaguered guard suffered a tumultuous season on and off the floor, with rumors of an inappropriate relationship dogging him for much of the year, and then ultimately being removed from the starting lineup in the playoffs. His numbers across the board took a dive in this, his 3rd NBA season, and entering the final year of his rookie contract, it appears that a trade out of town may be in order.

Gordon Heyward

This was seen as a solid move at the trade deadline, adding some veteran savvy and floor spacing to the young roster, presuming he could stay healthy and on the floor, always a tricky thing for the 33-year-old. Turns out, he didn't get on the floor very much for the Thunder, playing just 17 minutes a night, and averaging a mere 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds. And in his exit interview, he vented his frustrations:

“I feel like as a player I have a lot to offer. I just wasn’t given much of an opportunity to do that,” Hayward said. “I kinda thought I was going to get that opportunity.”

Needless to say, he will not be back, and the Thunder will be able to put his $30 million expiring salary to great use.

Bismack Biyombo

The 6'8" rim protector was brought in in February to try and provide some rebounding and rim protection off the bench, but he was rarely used, playing in only 10 games, and getting only seven minutes of floor time on average in those contests. He didn't play a single minute in the postseason. Biz will return to the business of free agency this summer.