NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Dennis Smith Jr. #4 of the Brooklyn Nets in … [+] action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Barclays Center on January 05, 2024 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Thunder 124-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
In less than two months, the 2024-25 season will officially begin. As NBA teams around the league prepare for the start of the regular season, final roster decisions must be made. While many of these decisions are made during training camp in October, free agents will continue to be signed between now and then — even if it’s at a much slower rate than earlier this summer.
The Oklahoma City Thunder improved tremendously this offseason, but still have the opportunity to make more moves. Most notably, Oklahoma City has an open spot on the 15-man roster. At this point, the Thunder has 14 players on full-time deals and three on two-way contracts.
There is no obligation for OKC to fill that final spot on the 15-man roster, meaning the franchise can keep it open all season long. Especially in the short term, there are plenty of reasons to take that approach and enter the 2024-25 campaign with a spot open for flexibility.
But if the Thunder did want to sign a free agent, there are still several interesting players on the market. If Oklahoma City were to explore the idea of filling that final roster spot, which targets could make sense?
Nassir Little
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 25: Nassir Little #25 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at … [+] Footprint Center on December 25, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 128-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
After recently being waived by the Phoenix Suns, Nassir Little is one of the newest free agents on the market. The former first-round pick is still just 24 years old but has struggled to stay healthy throughout his NBA career. Although he’s just 6-foot-5, he plays as more of a combo forward which would be interesting for a team like the Thunder. Little would bring the positional versatility and two-way impact that Oklahoma City is known for averaging well.
Oshae Brissett
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 12: Oshae Brissett #12 of the Boston Celtics attempts a layup against … [+] the Charlotte Hornets during the second quarter at the TD Garden on April 12, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
A recent NBA champion with the Boston Celtics last season, Oshae Brissett is now a free agent. The Canadian just turned 26 years old and stands at 6-foot-7. He’s comfortable playing in either forward spot and has proven he can be effective as a rotational piece like he was with the Indiana Pacers earlier in his career, or as an end-of-bench situational player like with the Celtics.
Markelle Fultz
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – APRIL 07: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Chicago … [+] Bulls during the fourth quarter at Kia Center on April 07, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
A former No. 1 overall pick, Markelle Fultz just recently turned 26 and is a free agent after five seasons with the Orlando Magic. Although OKC is already loaded in the backcourt, bringing in a veteran 6-foot-4 combo guard with facilitation upside and poise could be valuable. Fultz is not a great shooter from beyond the arc and would likely cost more than most free agents on the market from a financial standpoint, but could actually move the needle for the Thunder off the bench.
Dennis Smith Jr.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 31: Dennis Smith Jr. #4 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Los … [+] Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on March 31, 2024 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 116-104. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Following a tremendous season with the Brooklyn Nets last season, Dennis Smith Jr. has proven he’s still capable of impacting winning at the NBA level. The former top-10 pick is almost 27 years old and has plenty of experience under his belt. Again, teams can never have too many reserves with the ability to facilitate and run a bench unit, which is exactly what he can do. Furthermore, Smith Jr. is a phenomenal point-of-attack defender who would only make the Thunder’s already great backcourt defense even better.
The Thunder doesn’t have to sign a free agent to fill that final roster spot — and might be better off keeping it open — but there are several quality options still available on the market if Oklahoma City did want to.
