Thunder Re-Sign Center To Contract For SIXTH Time


There's just something about the Oklahoma City Thunder and French big man Olivier Sarr. OKC has just signed him to a contract for the sixth time in his two years as a pro. 

The 7-footer returns to the Thunder on a two-way contract, and he'll try to earn a spot with the big team at training camp. 

Here's how Sarr's SIX contracts with OKC break down:

1. The team originally signed Sarr to a training camp contract as an undrafted free agent after his college career wrapped up in 2021. He was waived, but went down to their G League affiliate where he played nine games.

2 and 3. As COVID absences piled up that winter, however, he was called on to OKC and signed two consecutive 10-day hardship contracts. 

4. Liking what they saw, in February of 2022, the Thunder signed Sarr once again, this time to a two-way contract. His overall numbers were solid for a rookie center, as he averaged 7.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in 19 minutes per game across 22 contests in total that season. Nevertheless, they waived him in April.

He signed a training camp deal with the Portland Trail Blazers last season and broke camp with the team, but suffered a torn wrist ligament and the Blazers released him in November. 

After his recovery, he signed a G League deal with the Oklahoma City Blue, where he put up more solid numbers with 12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 25 minutes per game across a dozen contests with the Blue. That was enough to lead to his fifth signing with the Thunder:

5. OKC signed him again, to a two-way deal this past February. After the season, the Thunder declined to give him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent. Which leads us to:

6. Contract #6. Sarr is back with the Thunder on a two-way contract heading into next month's training camp. 

Maybe this 6th signing will be the 7-footer's lucky break. 

Photo: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports