BREAKING: OKC Thunder Reportedly Release Former NBA 1st-Round Pick

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Oklahoma City Thunder will waive Aleksej Pokusevski.

UPDATE: The Thunder have officially waived Aleksej Pokusevski. 

Thunder Waives Pokuševski

🔗 | https://t.co/AmOJzN3OjF pic.twitter.com/r8LS58bJqJ

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 23, 2024

On Thursday evening, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers (at home) by a score of 129-107.   

Aleksej Pokusevski did not play in the game, and Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported (on Friday) that the Thunder will waive the 22-year-old. 

He has appeared in ten games this season and is averaging 1.2 points and 1.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 25.0% from the field.  

Via Charania: "The Oklahoma City Thunder are waiving Aleksej Pokusevski, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Pokusevski was the Thunder's No. 17 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and played 150 games across almost four years."

The Oklahoma City Thunder are waiving Aleksej Pokusevski, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Pokusevski was the Thunder's No. 17 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and played 150 games across almost four years. pic.twitter.com/1m8d86W10C

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2024

Pokusevski is in his fourth season in the league (all with Oklahoma City) and has career averages of 7.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest while shooting 38.7% from the field and 29.9% from the three-point range in 150 regular season games. 

Since he is still so young (and a recent first-round pick), Pokusevski could draw interest from other teams after clearing waivers.  

As for the Thunder, they are having an incredible season and are the second seed in the Western Conference with a 38-17 record in 55 games.   

They are in the middle of a three-game winning streak and have gone 6-4 over their last ten games. 

Following the Clippers, the Thunder will play their next game on Friday evening when they host Jordan Poole and the Washington Wizards in Oklahoma City. 

At home, they are an excellent 22-6 in 28 games. 

More on the Oklahoma City Thunder can be read here