The Oklahoma City Thunder have already made their first roster move of the 2026-27 regular season, and it comes with a familiar sting for the organization.
Otega Oweh has been waived after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Oklahoma City’s preseason, ending what had been a possible path toward a rotation spot before it could really begin. Oweh was on a two-way contract, and the move was described as a roster mechanism decision.
“The Oklahoma City Thunder made their first roster move of the 2026-27 regular season. And it's one that shouldn't be a shocker to anybody.
They have waived Otega Oweh. He was on a two-way contract.
This was purely a roster mechanism move. Oweh sustained a torn Achilles tendon in OKC's preseason,” USA Today’s Clemente Almanza wrote.
The timing only adds to a frustrating pattern for the Thunder, who have now seen another rookie season derailed before it started. As The Athletic’s Law Murray noted, “This is the fourth season out of five where a Thunder rookie has been ruled out for the year before debuting.
2022: Chet Holmgren (Lisfranc). 2024: Nikola Topic (ACL).
2025: Thomas Sorber (ACL). 2026: Otega Oweh (Achilles),”
Oweh had been in line to battle for minutes and, at least in theory, could have worked his way into the mix as a contributor. Instead, Oklahoma City moved on after the injury and filled the spot with Micah Peavy.
“The Oklahoma City Thunder and Micah Peavy have agreed to a two-way deal, league sources told hoopshype. Peavy, the 40th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, played in 61 games for the New Orleans Pelicans last season,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote.
Peavy arrives after being released by the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Thunder are clearly betting on the traits they value in a young player. His high motor fits what Oklahoma City wants from that end of the bench, and while minutes will be hard to come by on a loaded roster, injuries could create openings.
For now, the move is about replacing one injured young player with another option the Thunder believe can help down the line. In a roster that already demands constant effort and attention to detail, Peavy gets his shot, and Oklahoma City keeps searching for the kind of under-the-radar piece that can eventually matter.
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