The Oklahoma City Thunder have released their summer league roster already, but that doesn’t mean that their newest addition will not also show up in a Thunder uniform when the team goes to play in Orlando next week.
Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman had a great reminder that teams cannot sign players yet, which means the Thunder cannot include Hasheem Thabeet officially in anything they do despite word that they’ve agreed to a deal with the center.
"Yes, noticeably absent is a 7-foot-3 center with whom the Thunder recently agreed to terms," writes Mayberry. "That’s because Hasheem Thabeet isn’t officially a member of the Thunder yet. He can’t sign his contract until July 11, when the league’s free agent moratorium is lifted. But that doesn’t mean Thabeet will not compete in Orlando next week. He could sign his contract Wednesday morning and suit up for the Thunder’s noon showdown against ninth overall pick Andre Drummond and Detroit. I suspect he will be in Orlando and he will play later in the week. So don’t rule out that possibility."
Thabeet joined the Thunder a few days ago unofficially after frustrating stints with three other teams. Sam Presti is hoping the culture of the Thunder will help Thabeet turn the corner in the NBA.
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