Thunder Tracker: Chet Holmgren Wins First Rookie of the Month Award
This Oklahoma City Thunder tracker keeps you informed on the latest news and rumors surrounding the team throughout the 2023-24 regular season.
DEC 4: CHET WINS FIRST ROOKIE OF THE MONTH The NBA's Rookie of the Month Award is given out in early December, which awards the top first-year player from each conference for the months of October and November. As expected, Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren took home the honor. Since the 2008-09 season, Oklahoma City is one of only three teams to have a player named Rookie of the Month in three consecutive seasons, with Holmgren following Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey.
NOV 30: BERTANS CONTRACT REVISION Thunder forward Davis Bertans agreed to a contract revision with the team, meaning him playing in 75% of games this season no longer matters, as reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Prior to this change, there was a clause that would trigger a $16 million guarantee next season if he reached that mark, but since he was willing to remove that, his salary guarantee has increased from $5 million to $5.25 million next season. This was a fantastic move for the Thunder that will allow them to play Bertans more freely and also made him a more valuable trade asset.
OCT. 31: OKC GETS IN ON HARDEN TRADE Although it was a small detail in a larger blockbuster deal, the Thunder helped facilitate James Harden's trade from the Philadelphia 76ers to the LA Clippers. OKC essentially traded the worst of its 2026 picks for a 2027 swap with the Clippers.
OCT. 22: FINAL ROSTER CUT MADE With the start of the regular season quickly approaching, the deadline to cut rosters down to 15 full-time players was also nearing this weekend. With a couple of days to spare, the Thunder waived Jack White, which finalized the team's opening night 15-man roster.
OCT. 20: ANOTHER TWO G LEAGUERS As expected, Maldonado and Williams were waived shortly after being signed. From there, Jahmi'us Ramsey and Jaden Shackelford were signed and then waived to once again obtain their G League rights.
OCT. 19: MORE CAMP MOVES Just one day after signing Hunter Maldonado and KJ Williams to camp deals, the Thunder waived those two in order to sign another pair of players to obtain their G League rights. The next two signed to deals were Caleb McConnell and former NCAA Champion Adam Flagler.
OCT 18: CAMP DEALS SIGNED In the aftermath of Tuesday's trade, Oklahoma City had two training camp spots open. As such, the team signed Hunter Maldonado and KJ Williams, mostly to secure both of their G League rights for the upcoming season.
OCT. 17: JAYLIN WILLIAMS TO MISS OPENER In what was unfortunate news for the Thunder, second-year forward Jaylin Williams has strained his hamstring and will miss the start of the 2023-24 campaign. He will be re-evaluated in a few weeks.
OCT. 17: TRADE TO CLEAR ROSTER SPOTS It was an unexpected move, but the Thunder made a trade with the Houston Rockets that would clear two roster spots while also adding future draft capital. OKC acquired two second-round picks from the Houston Rockets (Timberwolves’ 2027 and Bucks’ 2028 second-round picks) in exchange for G Victor Oladipo and F/C Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. The Thunder also took on the contract of Kevin Porter Jr., who was immediately waived.
SEP. 20: POKUSEVSKI SUFFERS ANKLE SPRAIN For the second time this offseason, Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski will miss on-court time due to an injury. The Serbian sustained a right ankle sprain during a workout in OKC and will be re-evaluated in roughly six weeks to determine his return timeline.
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