The Oklahoma City Thunder might be a serious contender on the court, but off it, they’ve become one of the most entertaining locker rooms in the NBA. Known for their chemistry, energy, and good-natured antics, the team proved once again that no rookie escapes the rites of passage in the league.
Dillon Jones, a first-year player out of Weber State, found that out the hard and hilarious way after he failed to complete one of his designated rookie tasks: keeping the team speaker charged.
The Thunder filled Dillon Jones’ car with packing peanuts because he failed to fulfill his rookie duty of keeping the team speaker charged 😭
(via Isaiah Hartenstein’s IG story) pic.twitter.com/1hWjmMPDBF
— Cooper Jones (@CooperJNBA) April 15, 2025
In a video shared by Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, Jones can be seen walking up to his car only to discover that it had been filled to the brim with white packing peanuts.
The moment he opened the door, a mountain of foam came pouring out, leaving him visibly stunned and his veteran teammates bursting into laughter in the background.
With a sheepish smile, Jones had no choice but to wade through the avalanche of peanuts, slowly digging his way to the driver’s seat. It was the kind of light-hearted embarrassment that only a rookie could be subjected to—and it made for quality content both in the locker room and online.
This prank wasn’t just random hazing. In NBA culture, rookies are expected to carry out small but important duties: keeping the music ready, hauling bags, grabbing snacks, and more. Failing in those tasks doesn’t go unnoticed, and in Jones’ case, it earned him a prank for the ages.
Despite being a late first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and traded from the Washington Wizards to the Thunder, Jones has largely flown under the radar this season. He averaged 2.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game—a modest stat line for a player still finding his role in a championship-caliber rotation.
However, in the Thunder’s regular season finale against the New Orleans Pelicans, Jones gave fans a taste of his potential. In a game that saw OKC notch their 68th win of the season—finishing with a league-best 68-14 record—Jones posted a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and a steal in 36 minutes.
It was a high note to end the regular season and perhaps a small glimpse of what’s to come.
Though the prank may have been a light-hearted jab at Jones’ forgetfulness, it also speaks to the camaraderie within the Thunder locker room. These kinds of playful interactions help build team chemistry, especially in a group as young and dynamic as Oklahoma City’s.
Whether it’s popcorn in a car or packing peanuts, rookie hazing has become a rite of passage—and Jones took it like a pro.
Now, with the playoffs looming and the top seed secured, Jones will hope to contribute where he can. Just as long as he remembers to keep the speaker charged, he might avoid another peanut avalanche.
