The Oklahoma City Thunder weren’t all that big to begin with, but they’ve been forced to play small because of injuries sustained by Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
On Friday, the Thunder waived rookie wing Malevy Leons in a move that looked like a precursor to another transaction. They’re 11-2, sitting atop the Western Conference standings for the second straight season. Nonetheless, they needed to shore up their center depth. Not only were Holmgren and Hartenstein out with injuries but Jaylin Williams as well.
Thunder Sign Shot-Blocking Leader Branden Carlson To Shore Up Center Position
Those suspicions were confirmed on Saturday, as the Thunder have signed undrafted free agent Branden Carlson to a one-year deal, according to HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to a one-year, standard NBA deal with Branden Carlson, Ross Aroyo and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports told @hoopshype. OKC needs frontcourt depth. Carlson, a 7-foot center, is the all-time shot blocking leader for the University of Utah. pic.twitter.com/Go3kxa53GA
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) November 16, 2024
Carlson, the University of Utah’s all-time shot-blocking leader, measured in at 7-foot-0 and 206 pounds at multiple pre-draft events. Thus, he joined Holmgren and Hartenstein as the only 7-footers on the roster. Interestingly, he’s also the lightest among the trio, but is generally in the same mold.
What He Brings To The Table
Carlson played for the Utes for five seasons, averaging 12.9 points per game on 35.4 percent shooting from three. He saved his best for last, averaging career-highs of 17.0 points on 37.9 percent shooting from three in 2023-24. However, he also made a consistent impact as a rim-protector, averaging at least 1.4 blocks per every season.
He’s more than a stretch-five though. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc is what made him an especially intriguing NBA prospect, but he’s also a capable post scorer due to his patience, footwork, and touch. If his number is called by Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, his ability to score in the halfcourt could help him see the court consistently.
That being said, playing great defense is what many rookies see as the best way to earn playing time. For Carlson, it should be no different. In fact, the timing and tenacity that led to him blocking 241 shots in college —as a surprisingly agile rim-protector no less —is the biggest difference between him and Ousmane Dieng, whose minutes have gone up since Holmgren’s hip injury.
This isn’t necessarily a knock on Dieng. Despite being 6-foot-10, he’s more of a perimeter player than a big man. Nonetheless, with Dieng’s three-point not falling consistently, he’s in bigger danger of losing his playing time Carlson than anyone.
