The OKC Thunder have effectively already filled out all 15 roster spots for the 2025-26 season and, thus, have no room to spare when it comes to adding any extra full-scale contracts.
However, still up for grabs are their multiple two-way deals, and Branden Carlson is undoubtedly a talent more than worthy of pursuing with such a luxury.
Following an under-the-radar productive rookie season with Oklahoma City, the 7-footer should be a highly sought-after re-sign candidate for the ball club.
Now, while it may be a bit strange and arguably underwhelming to think that the defending champion's top offseason target is someone who would realistically split their time between the development and varsity team next year if retained, interestingly enough, Luguentz Dort is a prime example of just how valuable two-way signings can wind up being.
Once a two-way signing, Lu Dort is now the longest-tenured Thunder
After being passed on by all 30 teams in the 2019 NBA Draft, Dort inked a two-way deal with OKC on July 6 of that year as an undrafted free agent.
While said pact may have limited him to just 29 regular season games played with the Thunder during his rookie campaign, behind averages of 6.2 points and 1.9 rebounds, and a brand of all-out hustle rivaled by few others, come playoff time, the Arizona State product worked himself into serving as a staple within the rotation and earning praise for his defensive efforts against Rockets star James Harden.
His initial two-way deal was the opportunity Dort needed to get his foot in the door and show his worth at the next level.
Six years later, he's currently the longest-tenured player on the Thunder, earning $82.5 million over a five-year span, and is coming off a career-best 2024-25 season where he earned his first NBA All-Defensive selection and served as a driving force for the club's NBA Championship run.
This summer, they once again have an opportunity to secure the low-cost rights to a promising, once undrafted talent in the likes of Branden Carlson, who, in just 32 games last year, provided enough evidence to suggest he has the potential to become a legitimate rotation big with the proper guidance and development.
The 26-year-old may have wrapped up last year with averages of just 3.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game, but, when given double-digit minutes of play, he found himself dropping an impressive 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.
He even posted a ridiculous 26 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks on 52.6 percent shooting from the field during Oklahoma City's regular season finale against the Pelicans.
On a two-way deal for a second-straight season, holding onto the likes of Branden Carlson could prove to be an absolute steal, both in the near and long future.