The OKC Thunder got training camp underway on Tuesday, six days before their first exhibition contest against the Charlotte Hornets. Each team in the NBA can carry up to 20-players throughout the preseason period, those players are allowed to participate in team workouts as well as be active for the preseason games.
However, before the October 20th season opener, the OKC Thunder will have to trim their active squad down to 17-players which is including the two two-way contracts (Paul Watson Jr and Aaron Wiggins).
This will likely be the first rendition of the training camp squad, as teams typically will cycle through training camp invites allowing the organization to control their affiliation right with their G-Leauge team, in this case, the OKC Blue.
With a full G-League season, rebuilding on the mind, and wanting as many chances to find a diamond in the rough as possible, I would expect Oklahoma City to make a ton of signings this preseason in hopes a few filter out to the Blue where head coach Grant Gibbs and company can try to develop them.
OKC Thunder announce 20-man training camp roster
The Oklahoma City Thunder came into the preseason period with 18-NBA deals, which will force them to make a move at camp’s end.
Guards: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Ty Jerome, Vit Krejci, Theo Maledon, Tre Mann, Josh Giddey
Wings: Aleksej Pokusevski, Kenrich Williams, Darius Bazley, Paul Watson Jr (two-way), Aaron Wiggins (two-way), Gabriel Deck, Isaiah Roby, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Centers: Derrick Favors, Mike Muscala, Mamadi Diakite
The OKC Thunder training camp Invites are DJ Wilson and Rob Edwards. The camp invites will be able to practice with the team, as well as play during the preseason which starts a week from today.
Rob Edwards was a sharpshooter for the team’s G-Leauge squad a year ago and had a breakout game in the NBA Summer League. While no one expects him to make the roster, expect him back on the Blue with a chance to prove himself again. In the G-League bubble, Edwards shot 44-percent from deep.
For DJ Wilson, he is a 6’10 25-year-old power forward who spent four years with the Bucks before being traded last year after 12 games to the Houston Rockets. In Houston, Wilson averaged six points, four rebounds, on 33-percent from deep. Like Edwards, Wilson’s likely path is being waived and playing with the OKC Blue.
After waiving Josh Hall, the OKC Thunder hoped they would be able to bring him back on a training camp deal before shuffling him down to the OKC Blue. Hall, received interest from many NBA teams, including working out for at least five of them according to sources. For now, Hall remains a free agent.
There are always surprises every cut-down day, and for these players, they have six important practices and four preseason games to show they belong.