OKC Blue staying in Paycom Center is a massive win for OKC Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have utilized the NBA G-League more than most organizations. The OKC Thunder have truly invested in the Blue program, and it has given them results. From Lu Dort’s emergence, getting rookies’ feet wet, and even producing the current headman Mark Daigneault, the Blue has been an important part of the foundation of the organization.

Last season, the Thunder had to scramble to find the Blue a home. Their previous venue, the COX Center had been converted into a content creation studio, and that left the G-League club to play in the Paycom Center. Sharing an arena with the varsity team was a huge benefit, it made shuffling players back and forth easier, and created fun opportunities for fans seeing 15 Blue/Thunder doubleheaders in the venue last season.

The NBA G-League fought against this, the league does not like how massive the venue is, making the contests look empty. That is why you see other G-League teams play in smaller arenas. For example, the Texas Legends (Mavericks Affiliate) plays in the Commerica Center in Frisco, Texas. The same arena that plays host to the Division II Lone Star Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournament each year.

A smaller venue makes it look more respectable, less spread out fans, and a more intimate environment. The Oklahoma City Thunder provided pushback, partly because there are not many other places to send the Blue, and partly because it is so convenient to house the G-League squad in the Paycom Center.

The OKC Thunder get to keep the OKC Blue in the Paycom Center for another NBA G-League season in 2022-23

The Oklahoma City Thunder will see the OKC Blue play the entire 2022-23 season at the Paycom Center which is bound to lead to more doubleheaders for fans to enjoy. The Blue remains the only G-League team that plays their contest in an NBA arena.

The Thunder likely has Ousmane Dieng, Jaylin Williams, Lindy Waters, and Eugene Omoruyi in line to play in G-League contests as names that fans will recognize.

Ousmane Dieng likely benefits the most from the decision made by the OKC Thunder and NBA G-League. Dieng can now be shuffled back and forth to the G-League and earn more minutes of action as a rookie.

The 11th overall pick will not only get to work on thriving off-ball, but still polish his on-ball offense. Those are opportunities not available at the NBA level due to the amount of ball-dominate players the Thunder already have ahead of Dieng.