Buddy Boeheim is getting another shot at the NBA, and this time, he’s joining the league’s reigning champions.
The former Syracuse standout has signed a two-way deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that’s not just defending a title but also building one of the deepest, most versatile rosters in the league. According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, Boeheim’s contract runs for two seasons, giving him a real window to carve out a role in OKC’s system.
Head coach Mark Daigneault spoke about the move on Monday night, and his comments made one thing clear: this signing isn’t just about shooting percentages or filling out a roster spot - it’s about culture.
“Part of being successful is the impact that people have on the team,” Daigneault said. “And part of it is not having anybody taking away [from the group], and Buddy is a guy that’s only going to be additive.”
That word - additive - says a lot about what the Thunder are looking for. They’re not just chasing talent. They’re building something sustainable, and Boeheim, with his work ethic and sharpshooting, fits the mold of a player who can contribute without disrupting the chemistry that’s gotten them to the top.
Now, let’s talk about the basketball side of this.
Boeheim hasn’t had much of a runway in the NBA so far. He appeared in 20 games for the Detroit Pistons but never quite found his rhythm.
That said, his time in the G League has told a different story. Playing for the Oklahoma City Blue this season, Boeheim is averaging 16.5 points per game and knocking down 4.0 threes per contest - numbers that jump off the page in a league that lives and dies by perimeter shooting.
And it’s not a fluke. Over four G League seasons, Boeheim has hit 38% of his shots from beyond the arc - a mark that puts him firmly in the category of elite shooters.
Anyone who watched him light it up at Syracuse knows this isn’t new. The guy can flat-out shoot.
At 6-foot-5 and 26 years old, Boeheim brings size and maturity to the wing. He’s not a developmental project in the traditional sense - he knows who he is as a player. That self-awareness could be key as he transitions back to the NBA level, especially in a system like OKC’s that thrives on ball movement, spacing, and smart decision-making.
Given how deep we are into the season, Boeheim’s two-way status gives the Thunder some flexibility. He can be called up for stretches as needed, and with OKC eyeing another deep playoff run, having a specialist like Boeheim in the mix could be a low-risk, high-reward move. Whether he gets meaningful minutes or serves as a floor-spacing insurance policy, the Thunder now have another weapon in their arsenal.
It’ll be interesting to see how OKC deploys him down the stretch. With the kind of shooting touch that can swing a game in a matter of possessions, Boeheim might get more than just a look - he might earn himself a place in the Thunder’s long-term plans.