Why the value of Brandon Carlson in Thunder’s Frontcourt should not be overlooked

In the course of the rebuilding of the Oklahoma City Thunder led to becoming competitive and winning an NBA title last season, one of the team’s weak points was recently in the central position. Of course, the preparation of Chet Holmgren was an important step in the right direction to solve that problem, but even then he missed his entire Rookie season with a foot injury.

But quickly ahead three seasons, and the middle position is perhaps the deepest place of the Thunder in the rotation. Last season the Thunder ran a double Big-line-up with Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein with a lot of success. From there, Jaylin Williams continued to develop to the point that he sometimes performed during the regular season and even in the play -offs at the caliber of a backup of quality back -up -although he was a technical third series on this loaded Thunder roster.

Oklahoma City all three of these centers kept for the coming season, but there is one that deserves attention in the 2025-26 campaign. Brandon Carlson will return with the Thunder on a two-way contract, and although he will not be a nightly rotation center on the Roster, his interest can ultimately become much bigger and this season, but in the future.

During the coming season there will be more than likely times in which the center rotation of Oklahoma City is confronted with injuries or needs rest, because the team efficiently loads to ensure that the schedule is healthy and ready to go in the play-offs. In many of those circumstances, Carlson gets the chance to play, just as he did last season. He will be an important piece, not only for managing the minutes of the other centers, but also when, inevitably, the position becomes at a certain moment during the 82-game season and he is asked to perform and play a greater role.

But even after this season his goal could be bigger. It is no secret that the wage list of the Thunder continues to increase as the abundance of young talent deserves enormous contract extensions. At one point the team cannot afford the incredible depth it has today, especially if the franchise wants to avoid the second apron.

It is also no surprise that Hartenstein will be one of the more difficult players to keep. He is still only 27 years old and very clearly a big big man of the caliber in the NBA. After receiving a huge payment day from the Thunder in Free Agency last summer, he will soon be looking for a new contract, whether in OKC or elsewhere. If the Thunder cannot retain him because he wants to keep more financial flexibility or pay other players on the Roster, Jaylin Williams seems to be completely able to fill part of his emptiness, along with incoming Rookie Thomas Sorber.

Anyway, even Williams now has a decent contract, and there is no guarantee that Sorber will play meaningful minutes in his first few seasons. As such, there is a world in which Carlson may have to stand up as the third snaging center of the team and even more a shorter shorter term.

Although he is still a relatively inexperienced player in the competition, what he has shown is promising. He is a Big-Spinger of floor with shot blocking and modern skills that fits exactly what the Thunder wants to do. As the team becomes more expensive, it is becoming increasingly important to have cheap players who are able to contribute to the margins.

As a stop between a potential exit from Hartenstein and Sorber in a position in which he can have an impact at huge moments such as the play -offs, it is not excluded that Carlson could be a meaningful piece as a bridge between the two players. He should of course be converted from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal if this situation would ever unfold and he was needed in a more full-time capacity. But if he shows enough to be in that position, he would certainly be worth it.

It was somewhat surprising when Oklahoma City was able to return Carlson for another two -way deal, considering how great he was last season and expected to show interest with other teams. But it is a luxury for the Thunder – now and in the future.