OKC Thunder Sign Four Players to Play on the OKC Blue

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been active as of the last few days, trying to get the roster ready for the start of next season.

This started with trading for the Houston Rockets' Kevin Porter Jr., immediately waiving the guard while parting ways with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Victor Oladipo to cut down two main roster spots.

Next, The Thunder signed former Wyoming guard Hunter Maldonado and former LSU forward KJ Williams, waiving them shortly to acquire their G League rights to play for the OKC Blue. 

Maldonado played a successful six years at Wyoming, averaging 13.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and four assists per game in his career. He led his Cowboys team in points last season, and was selected to the all-Mountain West second team. 

Williams played four years at Murray State, before transferring to LSU in his final college season. The forward averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in his career, leading his Tigers roster in both categories. 

On Thursday, Oklahoma City also signed former Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell and former former Baylor guard Adam Flager. The Thunder have not waived either player yet, but it is expected they will be shortly due to Oklahoma City solely looking to acquire their G League rights. 

McConnell played five years at Rutgers, averaging 6.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. The 6-foot-7 guard was not much of a threat offensively, instead making a huge impact defensively, winning the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year twice in his career. 

Flager played at Presbyterian his freshman year, before transferring to Baylor and playing three seasons there. The guard averaged 13.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his career, getting an AP All-American honorable mention in the 2022-23 season. 

All four players played on the Thunder's Summer League roster, showing enough promise for the organization to give them a chance to play on its G League team. Each player could have a significant role on the develroster, with the opportunity to impress enough to get called up to the main roster. 

The Oklahoma City Blue will start its 2023-24 season on Nov. 10 against the Texas Legends.