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OKC Thunder signs Olivier Sarr to two-way deal

By Rylan Stiles

Terence Davis #3 of the Sacramento Kings blocks the shot of Olivier Sarr #30 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center on December 28, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Terence Davis #3 of the Sacramento Kings blocks the shot of Olivier Sarr #30 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center on December 28, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The OKC Thunder are preparing for the final stretch of the season after the NBA All-Star Break wraps up and they return to the hardwood on Thursday against the Suns, the first leg of a back-to-back that sees them face the new-look Indiana Pacers on Friday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been operating without a full roster since the NBA Trade Deadline a few weeks ago, and really since waiving Gabriel Deck the team has not been at their max capacity. The OKC Thunder traded for KZ Okpala and later waived him at the NBA Deadline and also waived Paul Watson Jr from his two-way deal. The standard NBA contract was filled by Aaron Wiggins having his deal converted from a two-way pact to a four-year standard NBA deal. This left two open two-way spots before Sam Presti later extended a two-year two-way contract to hometown guard Lindy Waters III. So the team headed to the All-Star Break down just a two-way player with speculation running ramped from Mamadi Diakite who impressed on a series of ten-day deals, and DJ Wilson who continues to dominate the NBA G-League for the OKC Blue.

The OKC Thunder have inked Olivier Sarr to a two-way contract to fill their NBA roster for the stretch run of the season

The Oklahoma City Thunder have already seen Olivier Sarr in action this season, when the team battled their first COVID-19 outbreak of the pandemic, Sarr was inked to a ten-day deal and logged two games, totaling two points and three rebounds per game, and 33-percent from the floor. Sarr will continue to wear the number 30 as he did in his December stint.

Sarr stands seven feet tall and will offer rim protection the OKC Thunder just have not had this season, the team’s bench boss Mark Daigneault said after practice “This move was about frontcourt depth” and with Mike Muscala, Kenrich Williams, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl still sidelined for an undisclosed period the team will need to lean on Sarr more than your average two-way player.

After his first practice as a two-way member, Sarr told the media how great the organization is at integrating the OKC Blue and OKC Thunder, making the two programs feel “connected.” The Kentucky product mentioned the transition is easier having played with most of this roster before at some level. Just with the Blue this season, Isaiah Roby, Theo Maledon, Aleksej Pokusevski, Tre Mann, Lindy Waters III, Ty Jerome, and Vit Krejci have all seen time in the G-League with Sarr.

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