The Thunder have signed Greek forward Georgios Kalaitzakis to a 10-day contract using the hardship exception, according to NBA.com’s official transactions log. The deal was completed on Monday.
There are only six days left in the regular season, so referring to Kalaitzakis’ agreement as a “10-day” is a bit of a misnomer — it’s essentially a rest-of-season hardship deal that won’t give Oklahoma City any form of Bird rights on the rookie this offseason.
Kalaitzakis, 23, was the 60th overall pick in the 2021 draft and joined the Bucks to begin his NBA career. However, his initial contract with Milwaukee was only partially guaranteed and he didn’t see much action with the team, logging just 48 total minutes across nine games. He was waived in December when the club signed Wesley Matthews.
Kalaitzakis subsequently joined the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s G League affiliate, and appeared in 31 regular season games for the team, averaging 10.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 2.1 APG on .422/.241/.750 shooting in 19.7 minutes per contest.
The Thunder are missing about half their roster due to injuries — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Darius Bazley, Derrick Favors, Ty Jerome, and Mike Muscala have all been ruled out for the season, and it’s possible Kenrich Williams and Tre Mann will join them. As such, Kalaitzakis will likely just be a depth piece to help the team finish out its regular season schedule.
Jaylen Hoard is also on a 10-day hardship deal with the Thunder, who now have 19 players under contract (including two-ways).
This is tampering. Why do they get a hardship exception for tanking? Now they get to work out this prospect. What a joke. Adam Silver will do nothing about it too.
How the hell is signing a g-league player from ur own g-league team tampering? You just have a hard on for hating the Thunder and I find it hilarious
Because they used a hardship exception when the hardship is self-created.
I certainly don’t hate the thunder — why would I? They’re the most inoffensive team in the NBA, probably.
I do hate tanking and crummy basketball though. And right now they are guilty as charged.
I mean OKC and other small market teams have no other choice but to tank no superstar is coming.
That’s a pretty pathetic response. Crazy idea I know but what if — we come up with another choice?
Or if we know these are bad markets DON’T GIVE THEM NBA TEAMS TO BEGIN WITH!