Category: OKC Thunder Blog

OKC Thunder blog – Oklahoma City Thunder basketball blog

Heat trade KZ Okpala to Thunder, who waive Mamadi Diakite

The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded for forward KZ Okpala and will receive amendments on the conditions of a previously traded draft pick from the Miami Heat in exchange for the least favorable of its 2026 second-round draft picks.

In a related move, the Thunder has released forward Mamadi Diakite.

Okpala (6-8, 215) has appeared in 21 games this season and is averaging 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. He has played in 63 games (nine starts) over three seasons with the Heat and holds career averages of 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game.

The Thunder and Heat will amend the 2023 first-round pick the Heat had previously owed the Thunder, whereas two years of protections will be eliminated, and that pick will now be owed to the Thunder starting in 2025 (1-14 protected) and then will convey as unprotected in 2026.

Thunder sign Mamadi Diakite to 10-day contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Mamadi Diakite to a 10-day contract, via the NBA’s COVID-Related Hardship Allowance.

Diakite (6-9, 218) appeared in two preseason games for the Thunder this season and averaged 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.00 block in 12.2 minutes per game. He appeared in 14 games (one start) last season with the Bucks and averaged 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 10.1 minutes per contest.

The Guinea native saw action in 12 G League games (three starts) during the 2020-21 season as a member of the Lakeland Magic where he registered averages of 18.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.08 blocks in 27.7 minutes per game.

Thunder sign Olivier Sarr to second 10-day contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed center Olivier Sarr to a second 10-day contract, via the NBA’s COVID-Related Hardship Allowance.

Sarr (7-0, 240) has played in two games with the Thunder this season and totaled four points, five rebounds and two blocks in 14 minutes of game action.

In 14 games with the Oklahoma City Blue, Sarr averaged 7.1 points on 52.2 percent shooting, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists in 14.1 minutes per game leading up to the Showcase Cup. A native from France, Sarr played three seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Kentucky and collected Third Team All-ACC honors and was named a runner-up for ACC Most Improved Player.

Jazz trade Miye Oni to Thunder, who waive Gabriel Deck

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired guard Miye Oni and a 2028 second-round draft pick from the Utah Jazz in exchange for cash considerations, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Oni (6-5, 206) has appeared in 80 games (one start) over three seasons with the Jazz and has career averages of 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game.

In a related move, the Thunder has waived forward Gabriel Deck.

Thunder sign Jaylen Hoard to a 10-day contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Jaylen Hoard to a 10-day contract, via the NBA’s COVID-Related Hardship Allowance, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Hoard (6-8, 216) is currently playing in his second season with the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, appearing in 14 games while averaging 8.6 points on 50.5 percent shooting from the field along with 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 22.2 minutes per game.

The Le Havre, France native declared for the 2019 NBA Draft following his freshman season at Wake Forest and has played three seasons in the G League, owning career averages of 12.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 53 games.

Thunder sign Rob Edwards, Scotty Hopson and Olivier Sarr to 10-day contracts

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed guard Rob Edwards, guard Scotty Hopson and center Olivier Sarr to 10-day contracts, via the NBA’s COVID-Related Hardship Allowance.

Edwards (6-5, 205) has averaged 12.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 21.2 minutes per game over two seasons (2020-22) with the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. This year the Detroit native is averaging 12.3 points while knocking down a team-best 2.3 three-pointers and is second on the team with a 90.5 free-throw percentage.

Hopson (6-7, 204) has spent this season with the Oklahoma City Blue, appearing in 11 games (four starts) while averaging 6.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 20.5 minutes per game. The Tennessee product has played in 95 career G League games (75 starts) and owns career averages of 16.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 29.2 minutes per game.

Sarr (7-0, 240) has appeared in 14 games for the Oklahoma City Blue and is averaging 7.1 points on 52.2 percent shooting, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists in 14.1 minutes of action. A native from France, Sarr played three seasons at Wake Forest before transferring to Kentucky and collected Third Team All-ACC honors and was named a runner-up for ACC Most Improved Player.