The Oklahoma City Thunder have lost a significant figure from their organization as Ryan Lambert departs to join the Charlotte Hornets. According to HoopsHype’s Mike Scotto, Lambert will leave his role in OKC’s scouting department to become the Hornets’ Director of Amateur Scouting. Lambert began with the Thunder in 2012 as an assistant to basketball operations and was promoted to college scout after two seasons. In 2020, he advanced to Senior Amateur Scout, during which time the Thunder successfully drafted players like Josh Giddey and Aaron Wiggins (2021), and Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Jaylin Williams (2022).
The Charlotte Hornets are hiring Ryan Lambert as Director of Amateur Scouting, league sources told @hoopshype. Lambert was previously a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s scouting department. pic.twitter.com/jO7U3v9rwN
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 23, 2024
The Hornets have frequently been associated with the Thunder recently. Last season, Charlotte acquired Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, and Davis Bertans from OKC in exchange for Gordon Hayward. The Hornets also picked up Aleksej Pokusevski when the Thunder waived him and signed Keyontae Johnson, who had limited time with OKC last season.
Losing Lambert is a notable setback for the Thunder, but it highlights how the franchise has set a successful blueprint that other teams, like the Hornets, are keen to follow.
