Eugene Omoruyi waived by the OKC Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have waived Eugene Omoruyi following Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings. The Oregon product was signed to a standard NBA deal two weeks ago and now hits the free-agent market.

Eugene Omoruyi has received three straight Did not play-coaches decisions leading up to his release. Dating back to January 12th, the hybrid wing/big man has only appeared in three games for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

After signing Eugene Omoruyi to a standard NBA deal two weeks ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder waived him on Sunday.

What a year it has been for Eugene Omoruyi, transactionally. He was signed to a two-way pact with the Dallas Mavericks after a strong summer league on August 13th, 2021. Then, he was waived by the Mavs following an injury on December 26th, 2021.

Omoruyi had an excellent showing in the summer league again this summer after being scooped up by the Oklahoma City Thunder on July 2nd, 2022, on a two-way deal. Then, two weeks ago, on February 10th, 2023, the Thunder surprisingly inked the 26-year-old to a standard NBA Deal.

At the time, it was described as a multi-year deal, but we warned you about the “Presti special” with the future seasons being non-guaranteed. On February 27th, Eugene Omoruyi was waived by the OKC Thunder, clearing an open roster spot.

But why now? A move that caught most by surprise is the Thunder organization’s tip of the cap. Eugene Omoruyi was never long for Bricktown, though we thought he would last until summer.

Instead, Omoruyi has already been waived to clear a roster spot for Sam Presti to cycle through a few more players between now and the end of the season.

The question is then asked, why even sign Eugene Omoruyi to a standard NBA Deal? The Oregon product earned a significant pay raise to still end up with the unavoidable fate.

Believe me, players, agents, and the like take note of this. Of an organization genuinely taking care of their players even when it is time to walk out the door. It only cost OKC a few extra thousand dollars for a billion-dollar entity but gained a lot in the court of public opinion from movers and shakers around the league.

Eugene Omoruyi shares an agent with Jamal Cain, Marcus Garrett, Kenny Loftin Jr, K.J. Martin, D.J. Wilson, Oshae Brissett, Dillon Brooks, Justin Jackson, Thon Maker, Jamal Murray, Dwight Powell, and Shaedon Sharpe.

Of that list, D.J. Wilson and Justin Jackson have played for OKC to varying degrees, with Wilsom making multiple stops to the OKC Blue. Even this past draft cycle, Jamal Cain and Shaedon Sharpe worked out for the Thunder. The world of basketball is smaller than one might think. It is all connected, and good well efforts work.