Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Search for a Second Option

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Oklahoma Metropolis put its religion in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when it provided the 6-foot-6 wing a 5 yr, $172 million greenback max contract extension final summer time. Gilgeous-Alexander has been OKC’s main scorer every of his three seasons in Oklahoma, averaging a profession excessive 24.5 factors per sport in 2021-22.

With SGA set to renew his position because the Thunder’s major bucket-getter, Oklahoma Metropolis is hoping to discover a dependable second scoring choice. For the reason that Kentucky product joined the squad, Dennis Schröder, Al Horford and Lu Dort have been the crew’s runners-up in factors per sport.

Whereas Schröder and Horford spent just one season with the group, Lu Dort is anticipated to be round for the long run. Dort may set up himself because the Robin to Gilgeous-Alexander’s Batman by taking one other step ahead from what was already an improved offensive marketing campaign.

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The Arizona State alum averaged a profession excessive 17.2 factors per sport final season, up from 14 factors per sport within the 2020-21 season. Dort’s subject purpose share additionally improved from his second to 3rd yr within the league, growing from 38.7% in 2020-21 to 40.4% in 2021-22 on nearly two extra shot makes an attempt per sport.

If Dort betters his effectivity as soon as once more, the Montreal native will set up himself as a powerful second choice in OKC. Nevertheless, if the 6-foot-3 defensive stalwart can’t stay as much as expectations, the Thunder have a steady of younger gamers ready to pounce on the chance.

All 4 of Oklahoma Metropolis’s 2021 draft picks are vying for extra seems to be on the basket. Whereas Josh Giddey will deal with the ball greater than the remainder of his class, his inconsistent shot and robust passing skill may preserve the 6-foot-8 Australian’s scoring averages beneath that of his teammates.

That being stated, Giddey averaged 12.5 factors per sport as a rookie final season, adequate for third on the crew amongst gamers who appeared in no less than 10 video games. The Thunder’s second yr man displayed extra aggression and confidence attending to the rim in the summertime league, and may very well be ready to take a leap offensively.

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OKC’s second 2021 first-round choose, Tre Mann, can be poised to extend his manufacturing after showcasing flashes of offensive brilliance final season. Mann averaged 10.4 factors per sport as a rookie, greater than some other participant drafted outdoors of the 2021 lottery.

Mann’s spotlight performances all through his rookie marketing campaign are indicators of how particular the Florida product’s offensive sport may very well be. Whether or not or not it’s poster dunks, shifty dribble strikes or a easy end across the rim, Mann’s scoring potential is tantalizing to Thunder followers and coaches.

2021 second spherical picks Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Aaron Wiggins possible received’t usurp Mann or Giddey’s utilization, however may very well be key contributors on offense. At 6-foot-9, Robinson-Earl knocked down over 35% of his pictures from past the arc whereas averaging seven and a half factors as a rookie. Wiggins averaged over eight factors per sport on 46.3% from the sphere final season.

Rookie Jalen Williams’ sturdy summer time league efficiency has put the thirteenth total choose in place to earn extra minutes because the season prolongs.

The Santa Clara product nailed over half of his pictures en path to an 18 level per sport common his ultimate yr with the Broncos. Moreover, Williams showcased his accuracy from deep with a 39.6% three level share in 2022.

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The 6-foot-6 wing displayed nice basketball IQ in the summertime league, sneaking by defenders on exact cuts to the basket. Being so slippery, Williams will get loads of attractiveness across the rim. If he can convert these seems to be to factors, the Gilbert, Arizona, native may very well be Shai’s proper hand man in 2022. 


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