The Oklahoma City Thunder completely filled-up the allowable 15 roster spots for the team next season by signing former Phoenix Suns point guard Ronnie Price to a two-year, $5 million deal.
News OK reported that the Thunder officially announced the 33-year-old's signing on Sunday although the information about the agreement was already released at the end of last month.
The report also noted that with Price's signing, OKC's roster is now full with 15 players, the league's maximum allowable number, and all of them have guaranteed contracts for the next season. Small forward Chris Wright was recently acquired with a partially guaranteed deal, but he is set to join the Thunder's D-League affiliate, Oklahoma City Blue, in the upcoming term.
Price is expected to play a third point guard role in the Thunder's bench behind superstar Russell Westbrook, who chose to stay in Oklahoma City by signing a new three-year, $85 million contract extension, and last season's 14th overall pick Cameron Payne.
The former Utah Valley standout entered the NBA undrafted in 2005 and debuted for the Sacramento Kings. He stayed there for two seasons until he joined the Utah Jazz as a free agent in the summer of 2007.
Price remained in Utah for four seasons before becoming a journeyman, suiting up for the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers in the next four years, as per Fansided. He then returned to play for Phoenix last season, averaging 5.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in only 19.5 minutes of playing time a night.
Price's acquisition still left the Thunder with around $2.3 million in salary cap space to use this offseason along with their room exception and rumors were out that they may be "saving it for another move this season".
However, that move should come via a trade since they have already filled all 15 spots in their roster.
Speculations abound that Semaj Christon, a 2014 second round selection out of Xavier, could be the odd-man out since the third point guard role is now occupied by Price. Christon had an impressive performance in the recent Summer League, averaging 16.8 points on 47 percent field goal shooting, but Billy Donovan is said to be preferring a veteran as his other option at the number one guard spot.
