OKC loses another franchise member to the Hornets

The Oklahoma City Thunder lost a key member of its organization as Ryan Lambert left to join the Charlotte Hornets. According to HoopsHype’s Mike Scotto, Lambert will leave OKC’s scouting department to become the Hornets’ Director of Amateur Scouting.

Lambert joined OKC in 2012 as an assistant to basketball operations. After two seasons in the position, general manager Sam Presti promoted him to college scout.

In 2020, Lambert obtained a major break in his career as he was elevated to Senior Amateur Scout. From serving in the said role, the Thunder were able to draft Josh Giddey and Aaron Wiggins (2021) as well as Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Jaylin Williams (2022).

OKC sets the blueprint for success

It's intriguing how the Hornets have been linked with the Thunder several times this year. Both teams orchestrated a transaction in the past 2023-24 season in which Charlotte obtained Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic, and Davis Bertans to OKC for Gordon Hayward. The Hornets also added Aleksej Pokusevski when Oklahoma City waived the Serbian center.

Earlier this offseason, the Hornets made another move, adding another unit with Thunder ties. They inked Keyontae Johnson, who had minimal exposure in OKC last season.

Losing Lambert is a significant blow for OKC. But if there's any positive takeaway about this matter, it only shows that the franchise has set the standard on how a team must is built and the Hornets are taking key notes to replicate their success.

Related: Two names to watch for a potential last-minute Thunder signing