The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder trimmed their roster Saturday as the NBA’s deadline for non-guaranteed contracts arrived. The team waived three players and finalized its final two-way roster spot.
Oklahoma City chose Chris Youngblood to occupy the last two-way contract, despite a rough outing in the preseason finale against the Denver Nuggets. Youngblood shot 2-for-10 from the field, including 1-for-9 from 3-point range. He will join recent second-round pick Brooks Barnhizer and Branden Carlson as the Thunder’s three two-way players this season.
As a result, Zack Austin, Malevy Leons and former first-round pick Dariq Whitehead were waived. Austin has yet to make his NBA debut, while Leons appeared in six games for the Thunder last season, averaging just 3.5 minutes per contest.
Whitehead, drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in 2023, has played in only 22 NBA games across two seasons. At just 21 years old, he remains a promising prospect and is expected to join Oklahoma City’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, where he’ll continue to develop his game.
The Thunder’s main rotation is expected to remain largely unchanged from last season’s championship roster, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams anchoring the team once again.
Oklahoma City opens the 2025-26 NBA season as one of four teams playing on opening night, Tuesday, Oct. 21. The Thunder will host the Houston Rockets and newly acquired Kevin Durant in a nationally televised doubleheader. With Durant returning to Oklahoma City once again—this time as a member of a fierce rival—the Thunder will look to start their title defense with a statement win.