The Oklahoma City Thunder was so impressed with Gabriel Deck that they signed him just hours after he led Real Madrid to the 2021 EuroLeague Playoffs. The Athletic's Shams Charania confirmed the development on Thursday, announcing the Thunder's latest roster move to bring over the 26-year-old from Argentina.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are waiving swingman Darius Miller, creating roster space to sign Euroleague forward Gabriel Deck of Real Madrid to a contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 9, 2021
Gabriel Deck helped Read Madrid clinch a playoff spot 4 hours ago.
He's now headed to Oklahoma City to start his NBA career with the Thunder.
Not a bad Thursday night.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) April 8, 2021
The Thunder brass seems intent on keeping Deck in the long run since they are reportedly waiving Darius Miller to open up a slot for him. Details of his contract are uncertain at the moment, although Brandon Rahbar of the Daily Thunder teased that it's a three-year deal.
The source on the Gabriel Deck to OKC news is legit, though the Thunder has not yet released any information.
If OKC is signing Deck for three seasons, then you'd think either Miller or Muscala are being waived for the opportunity to go to a playoff team (today is the deadline).
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) April 8, 2021
While the 26-year-old Deck is still a relative unknown in the United States, he's been tearing it up for Real Madrid this season. At 6-foot-6 with a great shooting stroke, he can be a prototype 3-and-D guy for the Thunder. Deck turned a lot of heads in his final game for Real Madrid, scoring 19 points in their playoff-clinching win over Fenerbahce.
Deck has been notching modest averages of 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in the EuroLeague this season while draining 41.2 percent of his three-point attempts.
Gabriel Deck is 26 year old 6’6” SF from Argentina.
Word is he’s a great defender. 41.2% from 3 this season. Can score at the rim. Can kinda do it all.
Nickname translates to Turtle.
(cc: @DeivHoops)
Here’s his highlights from last night: pic.twitter.com/YRnceB242B
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) April 8, 2021
Real Madrid, of course, is no stranger to having NBA-ready talent, producing the likes of Luka Doncic, Arvydas Sabonis, Drazen Petrovic, Rudy Fernandez, and many other notable players over the years. Deck will be the second high-profile player from Argentina to make his way to the NBA this season, joining Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo, who also played for Real Madrid and led the team to two EuroLeague titles.
The Thunder has embraced a re-building phase and looks like they just added another piece to their youthful core in Gabriel Deck.
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