SEPTEMBER 29TH, 11:12am: The deal is finally official, the team announced via press release. The idea is for him to spend the season with Oklahoma City’s D-League affiliate while he recovers from the ACL injury, tweets Royce Young of ESPN.com. That would indicate that the Thunder will cut him at the end of camp and retain his D-League rights, as they’re allowed to do with as many as four players they waive. Qualls will join 18 others on the camp roster, 15 of whom have fully guaranteed contracts.
JUNE 30TH, 11:52pm: The Thunder have reached agreement on a one-year deal with former Arkansas Razorbacks star Michael Qualls, according to a source who spoke with Shams Charania of RealGM (on Twitter). Qualls has suffered tears in both of his knees but OKC has been monitoring his progress through rehab. Apparently, the Thunder are comfortable with what they’ve seen.
Qualls was considered a second round hopeful before tearing his ACL in the weeks leading up to the draft. He is not expected to be ready in time for summer league or training camp, according to The Shreveport Times. Prior to his injury, Qualls, a shooting guard, was listed as the 40th best prospect in the draft by Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress and the 48th best one by Chad Ford of ESPN.com.