The NBA tax aprons come for everyone and the Thunder will be no exception. While they can largely run back this core roster next season, the year after that, it will be challenging to retain free agents such as Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort, who will have plenty of suitors on the open market.

While the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate an NBA championship, the Indiana Pacers are left with one of the worst what-ifs.

The promise came three years ago from Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti. It might have been overlooked for a couple of reasons.