Oklahoma City Sent Byron Mullens for a Future Second
On December 19, 2011, the Bobcats obtained former first-round center Byron Mullens from Oklahoma City for a 2013 second-round choice. The pick became No. 32, associated with Spanish wing Álex Abrines. The Thunder were growing into a title contender and had limited playing time for Mullens behind their established interior players. Charlotte was rebuilding and could give the young center real development minutes. Both franchise transaction histories date the move after the lockout shortened the season calendar. This was a straightforward player-for-pick agreement without incoming veteran contracts or a first-round choice going to the Thunder. The difference in timing mattered: Charlotte could immediately assess Mullens while Oklahoma City would wait another draft.
Mullens Became a Regular Bobcats Starter
In 2011-12 Mullens played 65 Charlotte games with 25 starts and averaged 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds. A season later he started 41 of 53 appearances with 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds. That was substantial on-court production for an incoming center obtained with a second-round selection. He expanded his shooting range and scored from farther from the basket, although his overall field-goal percentage suffered as his offensive responsibilities grew. The Bobcats won few games during these years, so Mullens was not a transformative anchor, but his 66 starts across two seasons distinguish the return from an unused prospect right. The inherited C+ grade reflects development and partial starting utility rather than a franchise star.
Abrines Offered Oklahoma City a Delayed Overseas Return
Oklahoma City held the pick until the 2013 draft, when it was used on Álex Abrines. He continued playing in Spain before joining the Thunder in 2016, later supplying three-point shooting as a reserve. This meant the acquiring franchise did not receive any immediate 2011-12 NBA playing minutes, but the selection eventually produced a prospect with a real professional role. The canonical winner says Oklahoma City Thunder Win even though Charlotte grades C+ and the Thunder grades C. That discrepancy deserves separate grading review rather than an unannounced change to historical data. Charlotte got starting center opportunities promptly; the Thunder obtained later outside scoring. Neither side traded an existing All-Star in 2011.
Final Verdict
Oklahoma City Thunder Win in the inherited verdict despite Charlotte C+ exceeding Thunder C. Charlotte obtained Byron Mullens, who started 25 games in 2011-12 and 41 the next season. Oklahoma City acquired the 2013 second-round choice used on Álex Abrines, whose NBA contributions began several years later.