Inside The Thunder

OKC Thunder Trade for New Orleans Pelicans Center Daniel Theis

Oklahoma City made a trade with New Orleans one day ahead of the NBA's trade deadline.
Rylan Stiles|
Jan 24, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis (10) rebounds the ball during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Jan 24, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis (10) rebounds the ball during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

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Oklahoma City ThunderNew Orleans Pelicans

The Oklahoma City Thunder have landed Daniel Theis in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's NBA Trade Deadline.

The New Orleans Pelicans are shipping Daniel Theis and his expiring $2.1 Million dollar pact along with picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Theis, for now, slots into the Thunder's final roster spot which allows Oklahoma City to not send a player back.

However, the Thunder must send something back to make this trade legal, be it a heavily protected pick, draft rights or cash. That is not known at this time and the story will be updated with the information as it comes in.

UPDATE: The Pelicans are sending the Thunder a 2031 second-round pick (Least favorable between New Orleans and Orlando) in this trade. This gives the Thunder two second-round picks in 2031. The Thunder have made the move official and sent cash considerations to the Pelicans to complete the deal.

The Pelicans make this move to dodge the luxury tax on a season that has been off the rails since October and the Thunder gain additional draft assets in the process.

If Oklahoma City keeps Theis around, he can provide a solid insurance policy for the Thunder's front court which has been riddled with injuries throughout the season.

This season, Theis has averaged 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and a stock per game while shooting 47 percent from the floor, 24 percent from beyond the arc and 83 percent from the free throw line spread across 38 games, including nine starts.

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Rylan Stiles
RYLAN STILES

Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is Lead Beat Writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network. 

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