OKC is known for finding talent in unlikely places. Branden Carlson is one of those shining talents who also deserves a spotlight on the team. So far, we have always seen him play a few minutes every now and then, and get a spotlight when the core OKC squad takes a break.

At this point, if you see Carlson on the scorer’s table with OKC up by double digits, it’s a sign that the Thunder are calling it a day, and their starters aren’t touching the floor for the rest of the game.

However, it also goes without saying that Carlson is a player who is developing his talent well in rhythm with the rest of the team. He’s not that far out of the age bracket for its core players, and he’s been with them for quite some time now.

On top of that, we’ve also seen him come up with big games in his time with OKC. He’s an ideal big man who could be a backup for Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein with the ability to shoot the three. At this point, he is making a strong case for earning one of OKC’s final roster spots in the long run.

Carlson Has Been a Standout

We all know how talented Oklahoma City is when it comes to putting up impressive performances on the big stage. They own the league’s highest point differential in history, and boast the best defense in league history as well. If you are not impressed, the next best team on both fronts is the previous year’s version of the Thunder.

That team is not much different from this year’s squad. Carlson, for all of his impressive run with the defending champs, is still one of their talented big men at this point. This season, the Utah native is averaging 5.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.6 blocks on 56.5% shooting, including 40% from three.

That’s not much of a big deal, considering that he’s just playing 10 minutes of basketball in 17 games this season. However, it says a lot about how valuable Carlson is on a long-term basis. Considering that he’s a more productive player than Thunder project Ousmane Dieng, it’s safe to say that Carlson is a good choice to sign for a standard contract.

Don’t let his stats fool you, Carlson has managed to come up with impressive production when he played more than 10 minutes in a game. In the last three games, Carlson is averaging 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks on 19.3 minutes of action. He’s also shot a staggering 66.7% from three, which is the kind of game you’d want for a modern center.

To sum it up, Carlson does make a strong case for one of the potential long-term players in OKC. To be a player in this team, you have to play well, and Carlson is doing it right because he’s getting some play time alongside regulars in Ajay Mitchell, Aaron Wiggins, Jaylin Williams and Dieng.

Is There a Future for Branden Carlson in OKC?

Branden Carlson is actually not a bad center to line up alongside Holmgren and Hartenstein. The Thunder also has Thomas Sorber coming in next season after redshirting this year with an injury. Let’s also not forget that the Thunder has a strong chance to land the top pick by the end of the season.

What this means is that Carlson truly deserves a standard contract with the Thunder, yes. However, he has to consistently show that he has more potential in his game in the long run. After all, Oklahoma City is seeking to be the next big dynasty since the Golden State Warriors in 2015. Who knows, maybe he will play a huge role in their success in the years to come.