Raymond Felton Returning to Thunder on One-Year Deal
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Raymond Felton has agreed to return to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a one-year contract for the veteran’s minimum. As such, the Thunder is likely set at the point guard position for the 2018-19 season.
Free agent guard Raymond Felton has agreed to a one-year deal to return to Oklahoma City, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 4, 2018
Felton appeared in all 82 games for the Thunder in 2017-18, averaging 6.9 points and 2.5 assists while shooting 35 percent from downtown. While he recently turned 34-years-old and isn’t going to be a game-changer on a nightly basis, he was consistent off the bench for Billy Donovan last season and is a stabilizing presence behind Russell Westbrook. It’s not the sexiest move but he’s useful and, perhaps most importantly at the moment, affordable.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Felton’s signing pushes the Thunder’s overall salary and tax bill past the $300 million mark, easily the highest in the NBA’s history. With a tax bill of $150 million, the pressure is now on Sam Presti to cut some costs — Carmelo Anthony and his $28 million being the most reasonable candidate.
As for now, adding Felton back to the fold makes a lot of sense — especially if he can carry last season’s performance over into the 2018-19 season. It’s now time for Presti and the front office to reduce the price tag on a roster that still needs work.
