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The Oklahoma City Thunder have made their first move ahead of today’s deadline, where partial/non-guaranteed contracts become fully guaranteed. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Thunder have waived center Branden Carlson. This move opens up a roster spot for the Thunder. Though not guaranteed, there is a good chance the Thunder will use that final roster spot by converting rookie guard Ajay Mitchell to a standard deal.
The Oklahoma City Thunder has waived center Branden Carlson, team says.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 7, 2025
Carlson appeared in just seven games for the Thunder this season. Initially with the Raptors 905 of the G League, the Thunder signed Carlson for big man depth. With this move, the seven-footer can now return to the Raptors 905 since they still hold his rights.
The Utah native is a legitimate big man who can stretch the floor. Though his Thunder run was forgettable, there is no doubt Carlson has talent and could provide value to another team down the line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Waive Branden Carlson
The Oklahoma City Thunder Are Legitimate Title Contenders
Waiving Carlson does not move the needle for the Thunder one way or the other. The Thunder currently own the best record in the West and second-best in the NBA overall. They are in the midst of a 15-game winning streak, including a resilient victory over the reigning champion Boston Celtics, and have won 19 of their last 20 games. As it stands, Oklahoma City ranks as the best defensive team in the NBA (and the eighth-best offensive team). What makes their run most impressive is they are doing it all without standout big man Chet Holmgren, who suffered a hip injury in November. Though he has no concrete timetable, Holmgren is expected to return this season.
The Thunder are easily the best team in the West and arguably the best in the league. They are elite at all levels and are led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After earning the No. 1 seed last year, the Thunder have advanced to another level. Much of this has to do with their offseason additions, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. A lot can happen until the playoffs, but at this point, there is no reason to believe the Thunder will not be playing basketball in June.
The Last Word
The Thunder are approaching a relatively difficult stretch in their schedule. They begin a four-game road trip on Wednesday against the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. The game after, they will take on the New York Knicks. This comes after their battle against the Celtics. Nonetheless, the Thunder have proven they are well-equipped to take on any challenge ahead of them. Either way, with the trade deadline less than a month away, it will be interesting to see if they make any moves.
So far, the Thunder have been linked to Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson. Johnson would provide the Thunder with a great three-point shooter and a solid defender. Until the trade deadline, the Thunder remain a team to monitor. However, even if they stand pat, the Thunder are in a great position to return to the NBA Finals for the first time in over a decade.
More must-reads:
- Dylan Harper injures calf, leaves arena in walking boot
- Cooper Flagg responds to his critics amid early career struggles
- The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
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Ja Morant suspension could be beginning of the end of guard's Grizzlies run
Are the Memphis Grizzlies and star point guard Ja Morant headed toward a divorce? On Saturday, one day after the two-time All-Star sounded off on the Grizzlies coaching staff following a 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2), Memphis suspended Morant one game "for conduct detrimental to the team," according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. Ja Morant, Grizzlies union already strained weeks into 2025-26 season After building an 69-55 halftime lead over Los Angeles, Memphis (3-3) collapsed in the second half. Morant, who finished with eight points on 3-of-14 shooting, only scored two points after halftime. Following the game, he failed to take accountability for his poor performance, instead pointing the finger at Grizzlies coaches, telling reporters, "Go ask the coaching staff." Less than 24 hours later, the Grizzlies levied their punishment. The tense exchange is the latest in what's becoming a potentially toxic situation. The Grizzlies have long stood by the mercurial talent despite Morant previously being suspended twice by the NBA for recklessly brandishing firearms. At a certain point, Morant won't be worth the headache. It could be tipping in that direction already. Through six games, Morant, a career 46.8 percent shooter, is at 40.6 percent. He's shot below 40 percent in four of his six games and is an unsightly 15.6 percent from three-point range while averaging a career-low 28.5 minutes per game. If the Grizzlies, under first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo, struggle to compete in the stacked Western Conference, it might be best to explore a Morant trade and gain assets for a rebuild. Perhaps the suspension will be a wake-up call for Morant, but it could just as easily fracture an already-fraught relationship.
Cowboys Announce Exciting Development on Saturday
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys are 3-4-1 with a Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on "Monday Night Football." They're looking to bounce back after losing to the Denver Broncos 44-24 last week. Prescott has been explosive through the first eight games. He has thrown for 2,069 yards, 16 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 101.6 passer rating while completing 70.3% of his passes. The Cowboys have put together one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, ranking second in total yards per game (384.1) and second in points per game (30.8). The unit may soon be getting reinforcement, including from center Cooper Beebe. Beebe started the first two games of the season for the Cowboys. However, he hasn't played since suffering a lateral ankle sprain and foot injury in Week 2 against the New York Giants. On Saturday, though, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced Beebe is on track to play against the Cardinals. "Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer says C Cooper Beebe is on track to play against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night," Harris reported. "Hasn’t played since week two when he suffered a lateral ankle sprain and foot injury." After being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he has become a consistent figure on Dallas' offensive line. As a rookie last season, he started 16 games, earning a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 65.4. Filling in for Beebe has been fourth-year veteran Brock Hoffman. He's recorded 415 snaps at center this year, committing two penalties and allowing one sack and ranking 29th out of 33 centers with a grade of 56.2. The Cowboys' offensive line has protected Prescott very well. They've allowed just 10 sacks, which is tied for the fourth-least in the NFL. Beebe's return could solidify one of the NFL's top offensive lines, giving Prescott more time and protection in the pocket. Kickoff between the Cowboys and Cardinals is 8:15 p.m. ET Monday at AT T Stadium, airing on ABC and ESPN.
Maple Leafs’ David Kampf Update After Comments to Marlies Players
Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf has reportedly left the team’s AHL affiliate, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman offered an update on the situation Monday morning. Speaking about the situation on the most recent 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman shared that Kampf apparently made it clear to other Toronto Marlies players that he was done. As per his report, the disgruntled Maple Leafs forward left his teammates with the impression that he intended to terminate his contract. Furthermore, Friedman noted that Kampf’s absence from the Leafs’ lineup is not performance-related; rather, it stems from salary and roster constraints that currently prevent the team from accommodating him. Friedman noted: “I don’t know exactly what was said or how it was communicated, but Kampf did leave players with the Marlies with the impression that he was going to terminate his contract… He’s not out of the Leafs lineup because he’s not good enough, it’s because they can’t fit his salary and roster spot in right now. We’ll see how this plays out over the next few days. I certainly understand his frustration, and I think he made it clear the status quo just wasn’t good enough for him.” Kampf is annoyed by his situation, and the Maple Leafs are working to trade him. Unfortunately, the Leafs can’t find a taker for his contract. It has left Kampf feeling like he has little choice but to take the next steps available to him, which could include exploring opportunities elsewhere on a lower AAV with another NHL club. He and his agent must believe that if his cap hit weren’t what it is, an NHL franchise would give him a look and a chance to prove he’s worth the investment. Friedman suggested that the fact all of this has gone public might actually work to Kampf’s advantage, allowing him to gauge his market and might not have to take a hugely reduced deal.
Brad Marchand Reportedly Refused Trade to Different Team Before Joining Panthers
** Author’s Note: We’re working to get verification and footage of the comments from Marchand. This report comes from multiple social accounts that claim they heard the remarks firsthand. According to a report by @j_vmess on social media, former Boston Bruins captain and now Florida Panthers veteran star Brad Marchand shared a surprising story during Pantherfest this weekend. Apparently, he confirmed that he was nearly traded at the NHL trade deadline to a different team. He refused that trade, which led him to joining the Florida Panthers. Revealing that the Bruins moved him to a different NHL club, Marchand said he told the team he would not accept a trade there and would refuse to report if dealt. Ultimately, the Bruins pivoted and traded Marchand to Florida. Marchand went on to win a Stanley Cup with the team and re-sign there this past offseason as a free agent. @flatcatsandrats added to the report, noting that according to Marchand, the deal came together just before the deadline closed. “I got traded to another team about an hour before the deadline,” Marchand is said to have told fans. “When they called me, I said no — I wasn’t going.” Marchand didn’t specify which team had acquired his rights; the assumption is that the Los Angeles Kings had expressed serious interest. Marchand has reportedly noted in previous interviews that he wasn’t interested in playing for the Kings or on the West Coast. So too, back in June, Elliotte Friedman wrote that the Kings thought they had a trade for Marchand completed. At the time of Friedman’s article, Marchand was weighing his free agency options, Friedman explained: “Florida is first up, obviously, with the advantage of already being a perfect fit and good state taxes. If he doesn’t stay, Toronto and Utah are expected to be among the serious pursuers. Utah has indicated it is not crazy about term, Toronto could prefer to stretch it out, but, watching him in the final, who wouldn’t want him? Los Angeles (who had a deal with Boston, only to find out Marchand wanted Florida), New Jersey, Washington, etc., etc., he can fit anywhere.” “This was the only team I was coming to,” suggested another person who cited Marchand’s comments this weekend. It was common knowledge that teams were interested in Marchand at the deadline, but knowing that a trade had been finalized and that Marchand was the one who squashed it is an added wrinkle.
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