As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, the Oklahoma City Thunder are poised for another exciting 82-game stretch. The team has emerged as a standout contender in the league, and while they are well-positioned for the upcoming season, they still have one open roster spot. Though this isn’t an immediate concern, it does leave room for a potential signing.
Forbes’ Thunder insider Nick Crain recently discussed how OKC could fill this last spot with a valuable addition. Although many of the top free agents were signed early in the offseason, there are still impactful players available. One notable option is Dennis Smith Jr., a former No. 9 overall pick who last played for the Brooklyn Nets. Crain highlights that Smith Jr. had a strong season with the Nets and remains capable of contributing significantly. At nearly 27 years old, he offers experience and is known for his defensive abilities and capacity to run a bench unit.
Despite his promising start in the 2017 draft, Smith Jr.’s career has not quite met expectations, including failing to fulfill LeBron James’ prediction that he should have been drafted by the Knicks over Frank Ntilikina. Although he’s not a perfect fit for OKC’s ideal guard, he remains a valuable free agent option.
Another potential signing is Markelle Fultz, the former No. 1 overall pick who recently turned 26 and is a free agent after five seasons with the Orlando Magic. While Fultz’s career was initially marked by struggles, he has shown signs of improvement and could bring useful skills to the Thunder. Despite being a poor shooter from distance, Fultz is a strong passer and scored 16.9 points with 6.9 assists per 36 minutes in the 2022 season. However, his durability remains a concern, as he has only played 234 games in seven seasons.
Ultimately, the Thunder may or may not add a 15th player to their roster before or during the season, but if they do, it is likely to be a backup guard.
