Thunder Reportedly Won't Sign Former NBA Lottery Pick After Chet Holmgren's Injury

The Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly won't sign former NBA lottery pick Ochai Agbaji "as the franchise takes a step back to re-evaluate its open roster spot" after losing Chet Holmgren to a knee injury, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Charania reported Friday the Thunder planned to sign Agbaji to fill the open roster spot following injuries to Jalen Williams (fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle) and guard Cason Wallace (torn labrum).

Holmgren will be re-evaluated in eight to 10 weeks after undergoing a biological treatment to treat a small patellar tendon tear, the Thunder announced Friday night.

Agbaji, a former Kansas standout, joined the Knicks on an Exhibit 9 contract in September but was waived on Oct. 16.

Agbaji has played 263 games (108 starts) over his four seasons, averaging 7.2 points on 44.8 percent shooting (33.9 percent from three) and 2.7 rebounds per game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers initially selected Agbaji in the draft but traded him to the Utah Jazz amid the blockbuster Donovan Mitchell deal.

He played a season-and-a-half with Utah before the Jazz dealt him to Toronto. Agbaji then went to the Nets in Feb. 2026 in a three-team deal that also included the Los Angeles Clippers.

Agbaji didn't see much preseason playing time with the Knicks, suiting up for 29 minutes over three games.