9 Basketball Players who Played for Thunder and Bucks
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Thunder and the Bucks.
Gary Payton
Gary Payton, often known as “The Glove” for his defensive prowess, is widely recognized as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Payton was selected second overall in the 1990 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.
Payton spent the majority of his career with the SuperSonics, where he was a nine-time NBA All-Star and a nine-time All-NBA selection. He was known for his defensive skills, earning NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1996 and being selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team nine times.
Payton was also great on the offensive end of the court, especially his scoring ability and his ability to create plays. He accumulated over 21,000 points and almost 9000 assists during his career. He won his only NBA Championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. Payton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
Payton Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Supersonics, Heat, Lakers, Celtics, Bucks)
- All-NBA (Supersonics)
- All-Star (Supersonics)
- NBA Championship (Heat)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Supersonics)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Supersonics, Lakers, Celtics)
Dale Ellis
Dale Ellis was selected 9th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1983 NBA Draft after a standout college career at the University of Tennessee. Over his 17-season NBA career, he played for six different teams: the Mavericks, SuperSonics, Spurs, Bucks, Nuggets, and Hornets.
The 6’7″ shooting guard/small forward really found his stride when he was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in 1986. In the 1986-87 season, he won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award after averaging 24.9 points per game, up from his previous season’s average of 7.1 points.
He was named an All-Star in 1989 and finished his career with over 19,000 points, having shot 40.3 percent from three-point range.
Ellis Key Stats
- All-NBA (Supersonics)
- All-Star (Supersonics)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Supersonics)
Ray Allen
Ray Allen was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the fifth overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, he was immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. In Milwaukee, Allen emerged as one of the league’s premier shooting guards, making multiple All-Star appearances.
In 2007, Allen was traded to the Boston Celtics, teaming up with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to form a “Big Three” that won the NBA Championship in 2008. Allen’s clutch shooting was a major factor in the Celtics’ success during this era.
In 2012, Allen joined the Miami Heat where he continued to play a vital role as a sharpshooter, including a memorable game-tying three-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals, a series the Heat would ultimately win. This marked Allen’s second NBA Championship.
Allen Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Bucks, Celtics, Supersonics, Heat)
- All-NBA (Bucks, Supersonics)
- All-Star (Bucks, Supersonics, Celtics)
- NBA Championship (Celtics, Heat)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Bucks, Supersonics)
Serge Ibaka
Serge Ibaka has enjoyed a successful 14-year (and counting) career in the NBA. Originally from the Republic of Congo, Ibaka was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics with the 24th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Ibaka, a power forward and center, is widely recognized for his shot-blocking ability and strong defensive presence, regularly ranking among the league leaders in blocks. In the 2011-2012 season, he led the NBA in blocks per game, helping him earn NBA All-Defensive First Team honors.
Ibaka has played for 5 different teams in his career but is probably best remembered for his time in Oklahoma City playing with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. However, his most significant achievement came in 2019 when he helped the Raptors win their first-ever NBA championship.
*Ibaka was the most popular pick for this square in a previous grid (Grid 24)
Luke Ridnour
Luke Ridnour was selected 14th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, after a stellar college career at the University of Oregon. During his time with the SuperSonics, Ridnour solidified his place as a steady playmaker, averaging career highs of 11.5 points and 7.0 assists during the 2005-2006 season.
After five seasons in Seattle, Ridnour moved on to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he spent four seasons before stints with the Timberwolves, Hornets, and Magic.
Throughout his 12 seasons in the NBA, Ridnour provided quality minutes as both a starter and backup point guard, known for his stability and leadership on and off the court.
Ridnour Key Stats
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Supersonics, Bucks, Timberwolves)
Ersan Ilyasova
Ersan İlyasova is a professional basketball player who has played in various leagues around the world, including the NBA and EuroLeague. Born in Turkey, Ilyasova’s professional career started in 2004 with Yeşilyurt in the Turkish Basketball League.
He was later drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft. Known for his scoring ability and rebounding, Ilyasova played multiple stints with the Bucks and also spent time with several other NBA teams, including the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, and Philadelphia 76ers.
For his career, Ilyasova averaged 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in the NBA.
DJ Augustin
Following an impressive sophomore year at the University of Texas, where he averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 assists, DJ Augustin was drafted 9th overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Over his NBA career, Augustin has displayed strong playmaking and shooting skills, particularly his three-point shooting. For example, during the 2013-2014 season with the Chicago Bulls, he averaged 14.9 points per game and shot an impressive 41.1% from the three-point line.
A journeyman in the league, Augustin has played for multiple teams (11 in total), consistently contributing off the bench. He’s had several seasons where he averaged double-digit points and solid assists numbers, like in the 2010-2011 season where he averaged 14.4 points and 6.1 assists per game with the Bobcats.
Augustin Key Stats
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Bobcats, Magic)
Caron Butler
Playing college basketball at the University of Connecticut, Caron Butler quickly gained recognition as a top talent, leading the Huskies deep into the NCAA Tournament. Butler was selected 10th overall by the Miami Heat in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Throughout his career, he played for several teams, including the Lakers, Wizards, Mavericks, and Clippers, among others. During his time with the Wizards, he formed a formidable trio alongside Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison, with Butler earning two NBA All-Star selections in 2007 and 2008.
Butler’s resilience was evident throughout his career, having overcome significant challenges and adversity in his early life. Beyond his playing days, he has been a positive figure in the community, leveraging his platform to address social issues and mentor younger players.
Butler Key Stats
- All-Star (Wizards)
- NBA Champ (Mavericks)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Wizards)
Desmond Mason
Desmond Mason was selected 17th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2000 NBA Draft. Quickly demonstrating his potential, he became an integral part of the SuperSonics’ rotation. Mason’s athletic prowess was fully showcased in 2001 when he won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Throughout his NBA tenure, Mason played for several teams, including the Seattle SuperSonics, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Sacramento Kings.
While primarily celebrated for his dunks, Mason was also a dependable two-way player who provided teams with solid defense and consistent scoring.
