OKC Thunder signs former Kentucky center Olivier Sarr to two-way deal, waives Usman Garuba
The Thunder is bringing back center Olivier Sarr on a two-way contract, the team announced Monday.
The Thunder created room to sign Sarr by waiving forward Usman Garuba in a corresponding move.
Sarr fills the last of the Thunder’s two-way contract slots. Teams can now sign three two-way contract players, up from two last season.
Sarr, guard Lindy Waters III and rookie forward Keyontae Johnson are the Thunder’s three two-way players. Two-way players split time between the G League and the NBA.
Sarr, a 24-year-old from France who played collegiately at Wake Forest and Kentucky, played in 31 games for the Thunder over the last two seasons. He’s averaged 6.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.
Garuba was involved in a string of moves that netted the Thunder four second-round picks.
First, the Thunder received three second-round picks from the Rockets for taking on the contract of veteran guard Patty Mills. That was part of a five-team trade, in which Garuba and TyTy Washington Jr. were sent to Atlanta.
The Thunder then flipped Mills to the Hawks for another second-round pick, plus Garuba, Washington and veteran forward Rudy Gay — all of whom have since been waived by the Thunder.
Both Washington and Garuba were recent first-round picks by the Rockets, but neither were seen as long-term pieces for the Thunder. Acquiring them was more about the picks than the players.
More: OKC Thunder schedule release: What to know about 2023-24 NBA regular-season slate
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder signs Olivier Sarr to 2-way contract, waives Usman Garuba
