Thunder Trade Dillon Jones to Wizards in Salary-Shedding Move, Waive Acquired Guard Immediately
OKLAHOMA CITY—The Oklahoma City Thunder made a calculated—and coldly efficient—roster move Saturday, trading 2024 first-round pick Dillon Jones and a future second-round selection to the Washington Wizards for guard Colby Jones, only to waive Colby Jones minutes later. The transaction, confirmed by both teams late June 28, saves the reigning NBA champions $9.5 million in luxury tax penalties while freeing a critical roster spot for incoming rookie Thomas Sorber.
The Mechanics of the Deal
The Thunder sent forward Dillon Jones (the No. 26 pick in 2024) and a 2029 second-round pick (originally from Houston) to Washington. In return, they acquired 22-year-old guard Colby Jones, whom they immediately waived. Oklahoma City absorbed no financial penalty for cutting Colby Jones, whose $2.2 million contract for 2025–26 was non-guaranteed.
Washington, deep in rebuilding mode, gains a developmental prospect in Dillon Jones and a future draft asset without sacrificing flexibility. “For us, it’s a low-risk chance to evaluate young talent,” a Wizards front-office source told ESPN.
Why Oklahoma City Pulled the Trigger
The move prioritizes financial pragmatism over sentiment. By offloading Dillon Jones’ three-year, $8.2 million contract—and replacing it with Colby Jones’ expiring deal—the Thunder dodged a $9.5 million luxury tax bullet, per salary cap expert Keith Smith.
“Oklahoma City faced a roster crunch,” Smith explained. “They needed space to sign first-round pick Thomas Sorber and avoid tax hell. Swapping Jones for Jones achieved both.” The Thunder also preserve all three two-way contract slots for prospects like Brooks Barnhizer.
For Dillon Jones, the trade ends a challenging rookie year. He averaged just 2.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 54 games, buried behind All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. “He never found a rhythm here,” Thunder beat writer Brandon Rahbar noted. “But on a young Wizards squad? Minutes will come.”
The Human Cost of Business
The trade underscores the NBA’s ruthless economics. Oklahoma City invested five second-round picks to acquire Dillon Jones in 2024—only to discard him 12 months later. Teammates privately expressed disappointment, with one calling Jones “a gym rat who deserved more runway.”
Jones learned of the deal while training in Las Vegas. “It’s brutal,” an anonymous league source said. “But he’ll get a real shot in D.C.” The Wizards plan to integrate him into summer league rotations immediately.
Grades: Thunder’s C+ vs. Wizards’ A-
Thunder (C+):
✅ Tax savings: $9.5 million relief
✅ Roster flexibility: Opens spot for Sorber
❌ Sunk cost: Wasted five second-round picks
❌ Development whiff: Failed to cultivate a first-round talent
Wizards (A-):
✅ Free asset: Gained a 2029 second-round pick
✅ Low-risk flier: Dillon Jones has upside in a rebuild
✅ Financial neutrality: Took on no long-term money
“Washington gave up nothing and got something,” The Athletic’s David Aldridge observed. “For OKC? It’s a painful but necessary admission of a draft mistake.”
What’s Next for Both Sides
Oklahoma City:
- Sign No. 15 pick Thomas Sorber to his rookie-scale contract
- Use remaining $9.5M tax breathing room for potential buyout-market additions
- Develop two-way players Barnhizer and Ajay Mitchell
Washington:
- Evaluate Dillon Jones in Summer League (July 12 start)
- Retain 2029 second-rounder as trade ammunition
- Continue stockpiling young assets around franchise cornerstone Bilal Coulibaly
The Bigger Picture
The Thunder’s maneuver reflects their win-now urgency. With Gilgeous-Alexander’s supermax extension kicking in next summer, every dollar matters. “They’re threading a needle between contention and financial sustainability,” Smith emphasized.
For Jones, it’s a fresh start. As he packed his bags in Oklahoma City, he texted former Weber State teammates: “D.C. bound. Time to work.”