October 31: The Thunder have decided not to sign Agbaji right now, Shams Charania reports via Twitter, saying the club is stepping back to reassess the open roster slot after confirming Friday that Holmgren will miss eight to 10 weeks with a minor patellar tendon tear. Can they afford to wait?
October 30: After a spate of injuries, the Thunder were reportedly planning to add free‑agent swingman Ochai Agbaji, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote on Twitter.
Selected 14th overall in 2022, Agbaji bounced among Utah, Toronto and Brooklyn. The 6‑foot‑5 guard flashed potential in his third year with the Raptors, posting 10.4 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 39.9% from three over 64 games, 45 as a starter.
His minutes and output fell sharply last season. Traded to Brooklyn at the 2026 deadline, the 26‑year‑old entered restricted free agency but the Nets declined a qualifying offer after he logged 5.1 points and 2.3 rebounds on .436/.266/.837 shooting in his fourth year.
Agbaji joined the Knicks on a non‑guaranteed deal this fall, eyeing the 14th roster spot, but New York leaned toward a center. Even if a wing had been chosen, Bruce Brown was the clear favorite, and Agbaji was waived on October 15.
After parting with Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City’s wing depth has thinned further. Otega Oweh tore an Achilles in preseason, Jalen Williams faced surgery for a fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle, and Cason Wallace’s labrum injury sidelines him for months. For my money, the Thunder’s roster gamble looks risky.
Nikola Tiopko (low‑back surgery) and Thomas Sorber (right‑knee surgery) missed the opener, while Chet Holmgren sat out the last two games with patellar tendinitis and Alex Caruso was sidelined by a right‑ankle sprain on Wednesday.
With the 15‑man slot open, Agbaji is expected to sign a non‑guaranteed minimum deal, filling the vacancy. That move frees two‑way contracts and could let the club seek a hardship exemption for additional 10‑day signings.
Even though the Thunder sit well above the luxury tax, they remain under the second‑tax apron, so adding Agbaji won’t trigger a major cap hit. Will the team’s flexibility translate into a deeper playoff push?