OKC Thunder ink Eugene Omoruyi to a standard NBA deal, waive Justin Jackson

The Oklahoma City Thunder made a roster move the day after the NBA Trade Deadline. Sam Presti was not done wheeling and dealing after he shipped Mike Muscala to the Boston Celtics and former first-round pick Darius Bazley to the Suns. It was reported today that Eugene Omoruyi has been linked to a standard NBA contract that runs through the 2023-24 NBA season.

This deal is likely set up in classic Presti fashion. While the team, agent, and player get to celebrate the fact they have signed a multi-year agreement, the second year of the contract is likely non-guaranteed, allowing the Thunder to move on from Omoruyi this Summer and hold two open roster spots heading into the transaction window (with Saric being on an expiring deal).

Recent deals under the Presti special include Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, who did not see a single season guaranteed past their initial year in Bricktown. However, those two players have earned their way onto next year’s roster despite the flexibility carved out by the contract language.

The OKC Thunder have inked Eugene Omoruyi and waived Justin Jackson, continuing the tradition of converting a two-way deal to a standing NBA contract.

Over the years, the Oklahoma City Thunder have converted many players from a two-way deal to a standard NBA pact, including Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Deonte Burton, and Moses Brown. Unfortunately, this likely falls much closer to a Moses Brown case scenario than Lu Dort.

Omoruyi has been fantastic when called upon by the Thunder this year, which is impressive given the adversity he has faced to this point, given the injury he sustained a year ago even. OKC is also asking the 25-year-old to play center despite being just 6’7. The Oregon product deserves this pay increase and respect.

This season, Eugene Omoruyi is averaging five points, two rebounds, and half an assist per game through 25 contests while shooting 47 percent from the floor, 26 percent from beyond the arc, and 61 percent at the charity stripe. His best tilt was against his hometown Raptors, where he logged 22 points, three assists, an assist, and a block. The Canadian has posted four games in double figures.

OKC has waived Justin Jackson, who they acquired from Boston in the trade with Boston and previously played for the Thunder in the 2020-21 season, to make room for this move.