Syracuse's Buddy Boeheim signs 2-year NBA contract with powerhouse
The road back to the NBA has been paved with perimeter jumpers for Buddy Boeheim, and his latest destination lands him squarely in the middle of a championship pursuit. The former Syracuse Orange standout officially put pen to paper this week, securing a two-year, two-way contract with the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
This transaction marks a significant pivot in Boeheim’s professional trajectory. After going undrafted in 2022 and spending his early career grinding through the Detroit Pistons system, the 26-year-old sharpshooter now joins a roster that sits atop the Western Conference hierarchy. The deal, reported to cover the remainder of the 2025-26 season and the 2026-27 campaign, rewards Boeheim for his stellar production with the Oklahoma City Blue. In the G League this season, he has been a high-volume threat, averaging 16.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while providing the kind of gravity-warping spacing that modern NBA offenses crave.
The timing of the signing is strategic for the Thunder, who currently boast a dominant 40-13 record. With key rotation pieces like Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein dealing with injuries, General Manager Sam Presti identified a need for reliable depth. Boeheim replaces Chris Youngblood on the roster, stepping into a situation where his specific skillset—elite catch-and-shoot ability—can be maximized. Unlike his college days where he was forced to create off the dribble, Boeheim will likely serve as a release valve for MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, capitalizing on the open looks generated by the Thunder's drive-and-kick ecosystem.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault addressed the media following the acquisition, describing Boeheim as a player who is "only going to be additive" to the group’s chemistry and execution. Under the terms of the two-way agreement, Boeheim can be active for up to 50 regular-season games, giving the "powerhouse" Thunder a low-risk, high-reward asset as they look to solidify their rotation ahead of a deep playoff run. For Boeheim, the opportunity to contribute to a title contender represents the biggest break of his young career.
This transaction marks a significant pivot in Boeheim’s professional trajectory. After going undrafted in 2022 and spending his early career grinding through the Detroit Pistons system, the 26-year-old sharpshooter now joins a roster that sits atop the Western Conference hierarchy. The deal, reported to cover the remainder of the 2025-26 season and the 2026-27 campaign, rewards Boeheim for his stellar production with the Oklahoma City Blue. In the G League this season, he has been a high-volume threat, averaging 16.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while providing the kind of gravity-warping spacing that modern NBA offenses crave.
The timing of the signing is strategic for the Thunder, who currently boast a dominant 40-13 record. With key rotation pieces like Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein dealing with injuries, General Manager Sam Presti identified a need for reliable depth. Boeheim replaces Chris Youngblood on the roster, stepping into a situation where his specific skillset—elite catch-and-shoot ability—can be maximized. Unlike his college days where he was forced to create off the dribble, Boeheim will likely serve as a release valve for MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, capitalizing on the open looks generated by the Thunder's drive-and-kick ecosystem.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault addressed the media following the acquisition, describing Boeheim as a player who is "only going to be additive" to the group’s chemistry and execution. Under the terms of the two-way agreement, Boeheim can be active for up to 50 regular-season games, giving the "powerhouse" Thunder a low-risk, high-reward asset as they look to solidify their rotation ahead of a deep playoff run. For Boeheim, the opportunity to contribute to a title contender represents the biggest break of his young career.
