The OKC Thunder waived Branden Carlson on Tuesday morning, opening up a vacant roster spot for the ball club.
The 7-footer was the third occupant of the final sideline slot this season, following the short-lived tenures of Alex Reese and Malevy Leons.
Now, with Carlson's exit, someone new will likely take his place sooner rather than later. Sam Presti always seems to have a plan in place, and there are three clear courses of action he could take in the immediate aftermath of the franchise's latest roster decision.
Ranking 3 realistic ripple effects after Thunder waive Branden Carlson
1. OKC converts Ajay Mitchell's two-way deal to a standard contract
After being drafted 38th overall in the 2024 draft, Ajay Mitchell was signed to a two-way deal with the Thunder.
Though initially projected to spend ample time down in the G League with the OKC Blue, the standout rookie has made an immediate impact this season with the varsity squad while averaging 6.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while boasting an effective field goal percentage of 57.2.
Given contract details, if he doesn't receive a contract extension Mitchell would become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season and risk being lost for nothing.
Because of this, coupled with his sensational brand of play, the question of his deal being converted to a standard pact has turned into "a when not if" discussion.
His seamless fit with the team and established respect among his peers could make it extremely hard for the organization not to pounce on the opportunity to lock the guard down long-term. So, while this 15 roster spot may eventually become Mitchell's, it won't be right away.
The 22-year-old still has 16 NBA games of eligibility remaining on his two-way contract before he's forced to be sent down to the G-League for good.
The most likely scenario with this situation is for the combo guard to be signed to a multi-year standard extension right before those 16 games are up.
2. Thunder elevate either Cormac Ryan or Buddy Boeheim to main roster
Cormac Ryan and Buddy Boeheim have spent time with the Thunder organization in the form of the 2024 Summer League squad and throughout this season with the OKC Blue.
Down in the G League, Boeheim is averaging 14.2 points per game on 41.8 percent from deep while Ryan is up to 11.1 points per game on 42.1 percent from distance.
The two sharpshooters seem like perfect candidates to be temporary main roster members. The Thunder are down to shooting 35.1 percent from beyond the arc this year, a 3.8 percent drop from their previous campaign. Adding a movement shooter such as Boeheim or Ryan could be a band-aid solution until an external acquisition can officially be made.
3. The Thunder trade for Cameron Johnson
The Thunder have been active in the mid-season trade market rumor mill during each of the last four seasons. Excitingly enough, 2024-25 is shaping up to be no different and, with the recent waiving of Branden Carlson, perhaps a deal for an in-bound talent could be on the verge of getting done.
Oklahoma City has been heavily rumored as the favorite to land Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson ahead of February's trade deadline, and OKC opening up their final roster spot could mean that they may be gearing up to take back an extra player in a deal to acquire the sniper.
The breakout star is currently dealing with an ankle sprain and is projected to miss at least the next two games. Quite often, this DNP designation means that the team is in trade talks to deal a player away and doesn't want to risk a serious re-injury to lower their trade value.
It's no guarantee, but there's a chance this is how Brooklyn is handling the situation.
The Thunder have more high-end assets to trade than any other suitor Johnson may have, and clearing up this final roster spot only improves the type of flexibility OKC has to work with in a possible trade.