Giorgos Kalaitzakis signs a 10-day hardship deal with Oklahoma / News - Basketnews.com

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The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed Greek forward Giorgos Kalaitzakis to a 10-day contract using the hardship exception, according to NBA.com’s official transactions log.

2-pointers this season

51%26,2Points made:26,2Accuracy:50,8%Place in standings:23Record max:39Record min:14Most made 2FGs:Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Kalaitzakis, 23, was the 60th overall pick in the 2021 draft and joined the Milwaukee Bucks to begin his NBA career. However, his initial contract with Milwaukee was only partially guaranteed and he didn’t see much action with the team, logging just 48 total minutes across nine games and averaging 1.8 points in 5.3 minutes per game.

He was waived in December when the club signed Wesley Matthews.

Kalaitzakis subsequently joined the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s G League affiliate, and appeared in 31 regular season games for the team, averaging 10.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 24.1% three-point shooting shooting in 19.7 minutes per contest.

The Thunder are missing about half their roster due to injuries - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Darius Bazley, Derrick Favors, Ty Jerome, and Mike Muscala have all been ruled out for the season, and it’s possible Kenrich Williams and Tre Mann will join them.

As such, Kalaitzakis will likely just be a depth piece to help the team finish out its regular season schedule. Jaylen Hoard is also on a 10-day hardship deal with the Thunder, who now have 19 players under contract (including two-ways).

Since the Thunder have only nine other healthy players available for Tuesday's game against Portland, Kalaitzakis could find himself in the rotation.

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