The 2024-25 season has come to an end, and the performance of the Oklahoma City Thunder players has garnered much attention. This article will review the highlights and achievements of each player during the season, focusing today on Branden Carlson in reverse order of their jersey numbers.
As an undrafted player, Branden Carlson is just like many fringe NBA athletes, hustling for playing time since the summer league. In 2024, he made his debut for the Toronto Raptors in the summer league in Las Vegas, going up against the Oklahoma City Thunder for the first time. He started in five games, and the experience was nothing short of magical and dramatic.
Despite being waived by the Toronto Raptors, Carlson signed a minimum contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 16, 2024. At that time, the Thunder were struggling with lineup challenges due to injuries, and head coach Mark Daigneault didn’t immediately put Carlson in the game. About ten days after joining, Carlson finally donned the Thunder jersey for the first time during a matchup against the Sacramento Kings, getting on the court with just 2 minutes and 44 seconds left in the game.
Throughout the entire season, Carlson signed four contracts with the Thunder, ultimately appearing in 32 games and averaging 3.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game, showcasing a commendable three-point shooting percentage. His offensive role primarily involved being a stretch five who creates space, and his mid-range shooting began to gain recognition from the coaching staff. Notably, in the final game of the regular season, he came off the bench for 33 minutes, contributing 26 points and 10 rebounds, demonstrating remarkable potential, with performance levels nearly matching that of superstar Anthony Davis.
The future development of Carlson is promising, as his shooting ability and defensive performance align with the Thunder’s tactical needs. He has the potential to become a more competitive player than Mike Muscala.
Next up is a look back at Adam Flagler. As the only stable two-way contract player for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, he’s become a familiar face among fans. Flagler saw a significant increase in his appearances compared to last season, participating in 37 games with an average of 1.8 points and 0.7 rebounds per game. However, his shooting statistics have been disappointing, with a very low shooting percentage, raising questions about how a player with such performance can carve out a place on a championship-contending team.
Despite not having an ideal performance, Flagler has still proven his value in the team’s offensive rotation, ranking fourth in USG%, demonstrating an ability to maintain control over the offense during crucial moments and ensuring the team’s flow remains uninterrupted. Because of this quality, the coaching staff has a relatively lenient attitude towards his utilization. In one of Flagler’s standout games, he exploded for 17 points against Salt Lake City, showcasing his undeniable strength.
Let’s take a final look at Ousmane Dieng. He’s an immensely anticipated player, but this season has been marred by injuries, preventing him from truly showcasing his potential. Dieng’s injuries limited him to just 37 games, which is significantly fewer opportunities compared to Flagler. Moving forward, he needs to strengthen his physical condition, and we’re hopeful that he will make a bigger impact in his development with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
