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Youngblood's Thunder Tenure Ends: A Tale of What-Ifs
19 Aug
Summary
- Youngblood excelled in the G-League but struggled to translate his shot to the NBA.
- He was waived by the Thunder in February 2026 and signed with Portland.
- Despite potential, his inconsistent NBA performance led to his departure from OKC.
The Oklahoma City Thunder concluded their 2025-26 player reviews by examining Chris Youngblood. He joined the Thunder as an undrafted free agent after impressing in the 2025 Summer League with his scoring and three-point shooting. Youngblood earned a two-way contract but struggled to maintain his offensive production at the NBA level.
On the G-League's OKC Blue, Youngblood was a dominant scorer, averaging 21 points. However, this success did not carry over to the NBA, where his outside shot faltered. The Thunder waived him in February 2026, and he subsequently signed with the Portland Trail Blazers on another two-way deal, finishing the season with them.
Youngblood's tenure with the Thunder was marked by potential and fan favoritism, stemming from his underdog story and offensive skillset. Despite his G-League dominance, his limited impact in the NBA led to his departure. He now has an opportunity with the Trail Blazers, where expectations are lower and he may find more playing time.
