Thunder Sign Branden Carlson To Second 10-Day Deal

Rookie center Branden Carlson is back under contract with the Thunder, having signed a second 10-day contract, the team announced today in a press release. Carlson’s initial 10-day deal with Oklahoma City ran through January 19, expiring overnight on Sunday.

Carlson, an undrafted free agent out of Utah, was on a two-way deal with the Raptors for most of the offseason. He was waived in mid-October before the regular season began, but caught on with the Thunder on a non-guaranteed contract in November.

The big man saw little action while he was on that deal, logging just 25 total minutes across seven appearances. However, after being waived ahead of this month’s salary guarantee deadline on January 7, he returned to the Thunder and took on a larger role, appearing in all six games the club played during his previous 10-day contract.

Known for his ability to stretch the floor, Carlson made at least one three-pointer in each of those six outings, averaging 5.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per night, with a .529 3PT% (9-of-17).

With Carlson back in the fold through January 31, the Thunder will have some added depth in their frontcourt for the next four games, with Isaiah Hartenstein (left soleus strain) and Chet Holmgren (right iliac wing fracture) both currently unavailable.

Carlson’s 10-day deal will pay him $66,503, the rookie minimum, with OKC taking on an identical cap hit. It will expire a week ahead of the trade deadline, giving the club some flexibility ahead of February 6 to take on an extra player in a deadline deal.

If the Thunder ultimately determine they want to bring back Carlson after his second 10-day contract expires, they would need to re-sign him for the rest of the season, since a team isn’t permitted to sign a player to a third 10-day deal.