Good News; Thunder Re-Sign Another Veteran Superstar To 10-Day Contract, A Strategic Move for Frontcourt Depth

The Oklahoma City Thunder have re-signed center Branden Carlson to a 10-day contract, as announced by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti on January 10, 2025.

Carlson, a 7-foot, 220-pound center from Utah, has appeared in seven games for the Thunder this season after initially joining the team on November 16, 2024. During his time with the Thunder, he has averaged 1.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game.

Prior to his tenure with the Thunder, Carlson began the 2024-2025 season with Raptors 905, the G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors. In his three starts with Raptors 905, he averaged 14.3 points on 51.5% shooting, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.67 blocks in 31.6 minutes per game.

Carlson’s collegiate career was spent at the University of Utah, where he played five seasons with the Utes. Over 146 games, he averaged 12.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.66 blocks per game, shooting 51.4% from the field. In his final season, he posted averages of 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, with shooting splits of 50.1% from the field, 37.9% from three-point range, and 71.4% from the free-throw line.

The Thunder’s decision to re-sign Carlson comes after waiving him on January 7, 2025, just days before his full-season salary would have become guaranteed. This move allows the team to maintain roster flexibility ahead of the NBA trade deadline while keeping Carlson within their system.

During his assignments with the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s G League affiliate, Carlson has demonstrated his capabilities by averaging 15.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 25.6 minutes per game over five starts. His performance in the G League highlights his potential as a valuable contributor to the Thunder’s frontcourt, especially considering the team’s current injuries to key big men.

Carlson’s journey reflects his resilience and adaptability. After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, he signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors on July 4, 2024, but was waived on October 19, 2024, before the season commenced. He then joined Raptors 905, where his impressive performances caught the attention of the Thunder, leading to his initial signing in November 2024.

Off the court, Carlson is known for his commitment to his faith and family. A member of the LDS Church, he served a two-year mission in Manchester, England. In the spring of 2020, he married Maddy Wolfe.

As the Thunder continue their 2024-2025 NBA campaign, Carlson’s presence on a 10-day contract provides the team with additional depth and flexibility in the frontcourt. His prior experience with the team and familiarity with the system position him as a potential contributor during this stint. The Thunder’s strategic roster management, including Carlson’s signing, underscores their focus on maintaining adaptability as the trade deadline approaches.