Thunder waive three players

The Thunder trimmed their roster Friday, waiving guards Zhaire Smith and Anthony Pritchard along with forward Andrew Holifield, the team announced.

All three are expected to join the Oklahoma City Blue, so their time with the organization likely isn’t over. Their Exhibit 10 contracts provide for bonuses of $91,000 apiece if they spend at least 60 days with the G League affiliate.

Smith and Holifield were with Oklahoma City throughout training camp. Smith appeared in three preseason games, while Holifield played in all five.

Pritchard signed a week into camp but also appeared in each of the Thunder’s five exhibitions.

The moves leave Oklahoma City with 18 players under contract, a total it could carry into the regular season under the NBA’s standard and two-way roster limits.

There’s still another decision to make, though. Christoph Tilly remains the team’s last camp invitee, with a waiver or conversion to a two-way contract appearing likely before Monday’s roster deadline.

For Smith, Pritchard and Holifield, the next opportunity should come with the Blue. They’ve had a preseason look with the Thunder. Now the work toward another NBA chance is expected to continue in the G League.