View Full Version : Oklahoma City Thunder 2023-24 Season
catcherinthewry 07-09-2024, 07:23 AM Summer league is a time for experimenting and the Thunder are asking Dieng to do new things that he is not comfortable with at this point. He's expanding his game. I'm not going to put much stock in his stats this summer, let alone from one game.
The list of quality NBA players that played in Summer League their first three years is short. Dieng is young but he’s had three seasons of experience with an NBA team/G-League team. Expecting some level of competency while playing mostly non-NBA talent isn’t some unreasonable ask.
Tre Mann played last year and was easily the best player on the floor for his team. The bar is low.
dankrutka 07-09-2024, 08:54 AM Summer league is a time for experimenting and the Thunder are asking Dieng to do new things that he is not comfortable with at this point. He's expanding his game. I'm not going to put much stock in his stats this summer, let alone from one game.
What was Dieng asked to do in yesterday's game that he's not used to, or hasn't been doing for the last couple years? He wasn't asked to be a lead playmaker or anything.
And I put nearly 0 stock in his stats. They're pretty irrelevant. Summer league is a small sample size. Dieng could shoot well the rest of the summer and I doubt it'll assuage my fears. It's the way Dieng plays that is my concern. It was a similar situation with Poku, for example. Poku's style of play (e.g., inconsistent, mediocre shooter, lacked toughness) that had me down on him pretty early. My point is that even if guys have bad shooting games, you can see bursts where the potential is clear. That is often immediately evident in very young players even. You could see it with Cason last summer. He played with confidence, precision, and control. Dieng is in year 3 and I haven't seen those moments that give me any confidence he'll pan out. And realistically, he won't have the opportunity to struggle through it on this team.
On the flip side, Dillon Jones is really fun as advertised. I don't know whether he'll work out, but he's an exceptional passer, especially crosscourt.
catcherinthewry 07-09-2024, 09:04 AM What was Dieng asked to do in yesterday's game that he's not used to, or hasn't been doing for the last couple years? He wasn't asked to be a lead playmaker or anything.
I must've watched a different game. In the second half he was bringing the ball up court and initiating the offense, even Thurl Bailey commented on it. He has never been asked to do that with the Thunder. His passing was noticeably improved and he had 5 assists. His shot looked good, but for some reason everything was short. I do agree though that he needs to be more physical.
PhiAlpha 07-09-2024, 10:05 AM I must've watched a different game. In the second half he was bringing the ball up court and initiating the offense, even Thurl Bailey commented on it. He has never been asked to do that with the Thunder. His passing was noticeably improved and he had 5 assists. His shot looked good, but for some reason everything was short. I do agree though that he needs to be more physical.
pretty sure he did that often with the blue all season.
Dob Hooligan 07-09-2024, 10:24 AM I think skinny guys who are making $5 million a year guaranteed are ever asked to bang it in a Summer League game against other dudes who are trying to catch onto a G League roster. I think the instructions are usually something like "Run up and down the floor, work on your shot and passing decisions". Dieng can play pro basketball. Maybe he will mature into an NBA guy, maybe not. I would suggest that what I read about Dillon Jones and his 4 years at Weber State have given him a more direct route to development than Dieng has had.
I admit I haven't followed Dillon Jones until the Thunder traded for him. I think it is not unusual that he was traded on draft night, but being traded twice is. Add that he was traded for 5 second round picks, and I believe the story I read in Sunday's Oklahoman that suggested Sam Presti "Really" wanted him.
BoulderSooner 07-09-2024, 11:06 AM I think it is not unusual that he was traded on draft night, but being traded twice is.
"he" wasn't really traded twice the pick was ... and that is not unusual ..
catcherinthewry 07-09-2024, 11:11 AM pretty sure he did that often with the blue all season.
I didn't comment on his time with the Blue because I never saw him play there. Did you watch with the Blue or are you just pretty sure he did that?
Dob Hooligan 07-09-2024, 11:37 AM "he" wasn't really traded twice the pick was ... and that is not unusual ..
I read that he was picked by Washington, traded to the Knicks. And then Presti worked the 5 number two's deal with the Knicks. I think that is unusual
BoulderSooner 07-09-2024, 12:16 PM I read that he was picked by Washington, traded to the Knicks. And then Presti worked the 5 number two's deal with the Knicks. I think that is unusual
that is just nba specific timing rules on when the trade can be official (league year stuff) ..
in reality the pick was traded to OKC and to (NYC) BEFORE they (OKC) decided to pick him .. not after ... IE the thunder are the ones that picked him ..
Dob Hooligan 07-09-2024, 12:36 PM that is just nba specific timing rules on when the trade can be official (league year stuff) ..
in reality the pick was traded to OKC and to (NYC) BEFORE they (OKC) decided to pick him .. not after ... IE the thunder are the ones that picked him ..
I understand fully what you are saying.
What I am saying is that the Gracie Rawlings profile in the Oklahoman says that Washington picked Jones and quickly traded him to the Knicks. Totally makes sense. Then she writes "However, Presti had other plans as he traded five second round picks to the Knicks for Dillon". I read that as Presti paying a premium for Jones because the Knicks had the leverage after Jones was picked and traded. Something like "I don't know, Sam. We think he will really fit here in New York".
I might be misunderstanding her intent, and/or she might be wrong. But, Presti did pay an unusual amount for the man.
Dob Hooligan 07-09-2024, 12:36 PM Now you guys got me watching NBA TV all morning.
BoulderSooner 07-09-2024, 01:41 PM I understand fully what you are saying.
What I am saying is that the Gracie Rawlings profile in the Oklahoman says that Washington picked Jones and quickly traded him to the Knicks. Totally makes sense. Then she writes "However, Presti had other plans as he traded five second round picks to the Knicks for Dillon". I read that as Presti paying a premium for Jones because the Knicks had the leverage after Jones was picked and traded. Something like "I don't know, Sam. We think he will really fit here in New York".
I might be misunderstanding her intent, and/or she might be wrong. But, Presti did pay an unusual amount for the man.
you are misunderstanding and or she is wrong .... presit agreed to the trade to give the 5 second rounders for that pick BEFORE that pick was made and BEFORE Dillon was the selection ... also the kicks agreed to the trade with washington was also BEFORE jones was selected ...
OKC is the team that decided to pick Jones no one else ..
see below
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1806154692667314282 knicks traded the 24th pick to Washington and got 26 back
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1806154889346551968 washington took George
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1806159411808718872 knicks trade 26 to OKC
https://x.com/wojespn/status/1806160010025566234 OKC takes Dillon jones ..
Dob Hooligan 07-09-2024, 03:38 PM Agree. Here is the full paragraph before and first sentence of the paragraph I quoted earlier
"Earlier in the week, The Washington Wizards had spent over an hour on the phone with the head athletic trainer at Weber state, so as the team's time on the clock approached prospects and nerves rose.
Dillon's name was announced as the Wizards placed the 26th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, before he was quickly traded to the New York Knicks."
She then writes "However Presti had other plans as he traded five second-round picks to the Knicks for Dillon".
She must have something confused
BoulderSooner 07-09-2024, 04:58 PM Agree. Here is the full paragraph before and first sentence of the paragraph I quoted earlier
"Earlier in the week, The Washington Wizards had spent over an hour on the phone with the head athletic trainer at Weber state, so as the team's time on the clock approached prospects and nerves rose.
Dillon's name was announced as the Wizards placed the 26th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, before he was quickly traded to the New York Knicks."
She then writes "However Presti had other plans as he traded five second-round picks to the Knicks for Dillon".
She must have something confused
the paper has become a sad state of affairs ...
I wonder if ai "wrote" that for her
dankrutka 07-09-2024, 05:30 PM If you followed the draft live, it was announced on Twitter that the Thunder had traded for New York's 26th pick before the pick was made. Here is Shams tweet that OKC was selecting Dillon Jones via New York (https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1806159504779661750). The tweet, as they always do, came out a few minutes before the pick was made on TV. My guess is that whoever wrote that blurb didn't actually pay attention during the draft and just looked at the transactions afterward, which is really lazy reporting if so.
Dob Hooligan 07-09-2024, 05:48 PM If you followed the draft live, it was announced on Twitter that the Thunder had traded for New York's 26th pick before the pick was made. Here is Shams tweet that OKC was selecting Dillon Jones via New York (https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1806159504779661750). The tweet, as they always do, came out a few minutes before the pick was made on TV. My guess is that whoever wrote that blurb didn't actually pay attention during the draft and just looked at the transactions afterward, which is really lazy reporting if so.
I'm starting to wonder if it wasn't agent or family provided info? The stuff about the Wizards being on the phone with Weber State staff for an hour, and how Dillon and his brother were at his agent's office, rather than the Brooklyn arena, seem like a more directed narrative than what Woj and Shams provided.
Either way, the five number two's is just flat, not common.
floyd the barber 07-09-2024, 09:09 PM I am a casual NBA fan. I know names and all the teams. That is about it.
I have not been to a game since Chris Paul was traded here from the Rockets. I would love to go to more games but I am limited.
However I am really, really excited for next season. If you told me two years ago that we would be fourth favored to win the Championship, I would have said you were insane. It's really neat to see the Thunder where they are now. They are such a young team with a promising future. Well, that is what the odds makers say, and they know a lot more than what I do.
I know it's hard to win the NBA Finals. I am not expecting them to win next year, but I expect them to be good.
Would like to catch a game next season. They are a good time.
PhiAlpha 07-09-2024, 09:13 PM I didn't comment on his time with the Blue because I never saw him play there. Did you watch with the Blue or are you just pretty sure he did that?
I watched a bit and did see him playing a little point forward like he did last night. It’s a small sample size but he averaged 6 assists per game so he had to be handling the ball quite a bit for most of the season.
Urbanized 07-09-2024, 10:00 PM I know it’s just summer league, but starting to feel like Dillon Jones was a steal. Seems to be mature out-of-the-gate much like Cason Wallace was last season. Really heady with his play, doesn’t seem to be mistake-prone, ESPECIALLY for a rookie. 21 points, 7 of 8 from the floor, 3/3 from beyond the arc, 7 boards, 4 assists.
PhiAlpha 07-09-2024, 10:39 PM I know it’s just summer league, but starting to feel like Dillon Jones was a steal. Seems to be mature out-of-the-gate much like Cason Wallace was last season. Really heady with his play, doesn’t seem to be mistake-prone, ESPECIALLY for a rookie. 21 points, 7 of 8 from the floor, 3/3 from beyond the arc, 7 boards, 4 assists.
Yeah both he and Ajay Mitchell have shown some flashes in both games. Ous looked a little better tonight as well. Really hope we can keep Keyonte Johnson around next season as well. I don’t know if it will be for us but I think he’s got a decent chance to make the roster somewhere.
Laramie 07-09-2024, 11:09 PM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu2tkECU5MQ
FighttheGoodFight 07-10-2024, 09:18 AM Dillon Jones looks good so far. Hope he gets some minutes in the season. I think Ous might be a bust, he is still young though but I haven't seen a lot of improvement. Sad he didn't get on the French national team, that might have helped some development.
warreng88 07-10-2024, 09:42 AM I was at the gym this morning and saw SC Top 10 and on come the Thunder. I saw Ous go in for a dunk and thought "Wow, great for him" only for him to get blocked and that was the #2 TT play... I wonder if they will give him another year with the Blue, see what he can do, if he progresses and then move him to the team or trade.
dankrutka 07-10-2024, 11:14 AM I was glad to see Ous try to dunk on someone. I suspect he got an earful after his first game about playing more physical. He at least tried.
Yeah, Dillon Jones looks good again. He’s really crafty, which he had to be do to his lack of athleticism. It’ll be interesting to see how they get him minutes with our depth.
catcherinthewry 07-10-2024, 11:40 AM Dillon reminds me of a shorter JDub. If you see some of his college highlights the resemblance is uncanny.
Rover 07-10-2024, 12:00 PM Dillon reminds me of a shorter JDub. If you see some of his college highlights the resemblance is uncanny.
Actually, he is an inch taller and quite a bit stockier. Dillon is 6'6", 235, with a 6'11" wingspan. He is actually only about 10-15 pounds lighter than Hartenstein. He is the same height as Kenrich Williams and is 25 pounds heavier... and Kenny Hustle plays power forward and small ball center. Dillon has a chance to be special if he is as hard of a worker as say Dort.
Jalen Williams is 6'5", 210
dankrutka 07-10-2024, 12:20 PM Jalen Williams is dramatically more athletic than Dillon. This allows him to get to the basket and spots in ways that Dillon won’t be able to. The question with Dillon is whether he will get overwhelmed by NBA athleticism on both ends, but especially on the defensive end. On the plus side, he’s an exceptional cross court passer in addition to being so generally crafty.
catcherinthewry 07-10-2024, 12:27 PM Actually, he is an inch taller and quite a bit stockier. Dillon is 6'6", 235, with a 6'11" wingspan. He is actually only about 10-15 pounds lighter than Hartenstein. He is the same height as Kenrich Williams and is 25 pounds heavier... and Kenny Hustle plays power forward and small ball center. Dillon has a chance to be special if he is as hard of a worker as say Dort.
Jalen Williams is 6'5", 210
Jalen has 7'2" wingspan. He just seems to me to play bigger than Dillon.
Rover 07-10-2024, 12:41 PM Jalen Williams is dramatically more athletic than Dillon. This allows him to get to the basket and spots in ways that Dillon won’t be able to. The question with Dillon is whether he will get overwhelmed by NBA athleticism on both ends, but especially on the defensive end. On the plus side, he’s an exceptional cross court passer in addition to being so generally crafty.
His play so far in LV doesn't show a lack of athleticism. He's a scorer, can drive, and understands angles. He's been noticeably better than the summer league competition but will have to adjust to the NBA. Fortunately, he can be worked in without pressure. He's definitely a better athlete than Dort, and a better scorer. Has better feet. But, let's see if he has the same work ethic.
dankrutka 07-10-2024, 01:02 PM I'm sorry but you lost me at Dillon is more athletic than Dort. They're not even in the same stratosphere. Dort's combination of foot speed, agility, and strength are elite. That will never be Dillon's game. He's crafty, but he's a subpar athlete for the NBA. None of this is a knock on Dillon. Players can be good in a lot of different ways.
dankrutka 07-10-2024, 01:04 PM Also, Ajay Mitchell has been really promising thus far too. He gets to the basket consistently and then has a real knack for dump offs. With second round picks especially, you just want to see them be good at some definable NBA skill. Mitchell has that. Good stuff.
BoulderSooner 07-10-2024, 02:20 PM Actually, he is an inch taller and quite a bit stockier. Dillon is 6'6", 235, with a 6'11" wingspan. He is actually only about 10-15 pounds lighter than Hartenstein. He is the same height as Kenrich Williams and is 25 pounds heavier... and Kenny Hustle plays power forward and small ball center. Dillon has a chance to be special if he is as hard of a worker as say Dort.
Jalen Williams is 6'5", 210
actually he is not taller at all ..
at the NBA combine
Jones was 6'4.5'' 6'11 with a wingspan and 236 pounds
Williams was 6'4.5'' with a 7'2.25'' wingspan and 209 pounds
Jones is the same height Williams was 2 years ago .. as a just 21 year old (april) (would not be surprised if he is now a little taller) .. Jones is almost 23 (October) .. (Williams is only 6 months older than Jones)
williams has longer arms ...
BoulderSooner 07-10-2024, 02:21 PM I'm sorry but you lost me at Dillon is more athletic than Dort. They're not even in the same stratosphere. Dort's combination of foot speed, agility, and strength are elite. That will never be Dillon's game. He's crafty, but he's a subpar athlete for the NBA. None of this is a knock on Dillon. Players can be good in a lot of different ways.
Dort is also in elite shape Jones is not close to that ..
and jones should be dominating summer league he is older then most there
Laramie 07-10-2024, 03:25 PM Summer League: Thunder vs Jazz
Box score https://www.nba.com/game/okc-vs-uta-1622400004/box-score
Laramie 07-10-2024, 07:48 PM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQK_GYyF9WI
Memphis Grizzlies 77 vs Oklahoma City Thunder 80
Rover 07-10-2024, 08:19 PM actually he is not taller at all ..
at the NBA combine
Jones was 6'4.5'' 6'11 with a wingspan and 236 pounds
Williams was 6'4.5'' with a 7'2.25'' wingspan and 209 pounds
Jones is the same height Williams was 2 years ago .. as a just 21 year old (april) (would not be surprised if he is now a little taller) .. Jones is almost 23 (October) .. (Williams is only 6 months older than Jones)
williams has longer arms ...
Heres the roster. Go argue with the Thunder or just yell at the clouds.
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/okc/oklahoma-city-thunder
Some people just like to argue.
PhiAlpha 07-10-2024, 10:10 PM Heres the roster. Go argue with the Thunder or just yell at the clouds.
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/okc/oklahoma-city-thunder
Some people just like to argue.
Wouldn’t arguing with thunder and yelling at the clouds be the same thing?
Dob Hooligan 07-10-2024, 10:18 PM We talking Summer League, man….Summer League…Summer League
Not a game..not a game.notagame….
Summer
League
Laramie 07-11-2024, 08:02 AM NBA Summer League, Las Vegas
https://www.nicekicks.com/files/2012/07/koclasvegaslead.jpg
Saturday, July 13, 2024 - 7:30 p.m. CST
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Toronto Raptors
Pavilion - Las Vegas, NV
BoulderSooner 07-11-2024, 08:06 AM Heres the roster. Go argue with the Thunder or just yell at the clouds.
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/okc/oklahoma-city-thunder
Some people just like to argue.
lol here are the official NBA combine measurements ...... you know Infront of people done by the NBA but i'm sure you are correct .... keep putting out that false info ...
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-anthro?sort=STANDING_REACH&dir=1&SeasonYear=2024
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-anthro?sort=STANDING_REACH&dir=1&SeasonYear=2022-23
Rover 07-11-2024, 08:35 AM lol here are the official NBA combine measurements ...... you know Infront of people done by the NBA but i'm sure you are correct .... keep putting out that false info ...
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-anthro?sort=STANDING_REACH&dir=1&SeasonYear=2024
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-anthro?sort=STANDING_REACH&dir=1&SeasonYear=2022-23
This may be the stupidest argument I've been in in a awhile. I bow out and salute you for your superior knowledge about basketball. Lol. It must have been his hair i was looking at when they stood together at the draft.
FighttheGoodFight 07-11-2024, 09:30 AM Just a bunch of guys arguing about half an inch. It's ok boys.
soonermike81 07-11-2024, 11:02 AM Just a bunch of guys arguing about half an inch. It's ok boys.
It does happen to be between, imo, the two people on okctalk that like to argue the most. I say let them duke it out!
Laramie 07-12-2024, 07:42 AM https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NahflgULWSs_gF9pR9CVaykWAkUBWWL1bQD5ZUsGYJOi3 rrL991ujnF7Ldyd64wQ71iuvnwKHKfD0qIadyVNanRMgcUK5I7 TN2zaTetP89Z0Oadh8M2tO6ST915VD1xPzVsqHJHRjt1UApOx3 tiVAj7hkUREWMjgQQ6jp4QW27MhY_ydcQmrTrUfA=s0-d-e1-ft#https://img03.en25.com/EloquaImages/clients/OklahomaCityThunder/%7B9a20355b-dc11-42d2-badc-96b6d69e9b13%7D_tulsa.png
Thunder Announces Preseason Game in Tulsa
OKLAHOMA CITY, July 9, 2024 – The Oklahoma City Thunder will return to Tulsa, Oklahoma during the 2024 preseason, the team announced today. The Thunder will host the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL on Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m. inside the BOK Center.
The Thunder and the Breakers will meet for their second preseason contest in what marks the 15th preseason game for the Thunder in Tulsa.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the October 10 Tulsa preseason game can call 405-208-HOOP or visit okcthunder.com.
The Thunder’s entire 2024 preseason schedule will be announced at a later date.
Laramie 07-12-2024, 12:48 PM NBA Summer League, Las Vegas
https://www.nicekicks.com/files/2012/07/koclasvegaslead.jpg
Saturday, July 13, 2024 - 7:30 p.m. CST - NBA-TV
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Toronto Raptors
Pavilion - Las Vegas, NV
The game on July 13th in LV will be televised on NBA-TV.
Laramie 07-13-2024, 01:31 PM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUv7GBTjL4g
Dob Hooligan 07-13-2024, 03:59 PM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUv7GBTjL4g
One Summer game and they trying to put him in the 8 man rotation?
We talking about Summer League, man...
...Summer....League.
Laramie 07-13-2024, 09:43 PM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY6xfdTRWZc
Laramie 07-14-2024, 06:51 AM Monday, July 15, 2024
LV Summer League
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat
Pavilion Las Vegas, NV - 5:00 PM CT - TSN - LOCAL TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma
Laramie 07-14-2024, 11:54 AM Hey Dob, here's a real Youtube head scatcher v v v
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpqfldNCacg
Who's the missing starter . . .
So nice to see Isaiah Hartenstein in a Thunder uniform.
PhiAlpha 07-14-2024, 05:58 PM One Summer game and they trying to put him in the 8 man rotation?
We talking about Summer League, man...
...Summer....League.
I mean it’s been 3 out of 4 so far. Doesn’t necessarily translate but he’s doing a lot of the stuff that other players like Cason did in summer league that suggest he’s going to get minutes at the nba level and a shot to earn a rotation spot. Maybe not in an 8 man rotation but we played 11 most of the season.
Dob Hooligan 07-14-2024, 08:42 PM I mean it’s been 3 out of 4 so far. Doesn’t necessarily translate but he’s doing a lot of the stuff that other players like Cason did in summer league that suggest he’s going to get minutes at the nba level and a shot to earn a rotation spot. Maybe not in an 8 man rotation but we played 11 most of the season.
I’m not being a smart aleck, or dismissive. But, I can’t believe a second round pick that was signed to a two way contract can compete for a 15 man roster spot on a 57 win, number 1 seed in the west (with the youngest roster in the NBA).
PhiAlpha 07-15-2024, 07:09 AM I’m not being a smart aleck, or dismissive. But, I can’t believe a second round pick that was signed to a two way contract can compete for a 15 man roster spot on a 57 win, number 1 seed in the west (with the youngest roster in the NBA).
LOL. 1…he’s a first round pick on a guaranteed contract.
2. You can’t see a 2 way player competing for a spot on the 15 MAN ROSTER?!? What? lol. We have two way guys competing for roster spots at the end of the bench every year, including last year.
Here’s a list of people who played minutes on the back end of the bench and/or competed for the last few roster spots on the team last year:
Lindy waters III (gone), Tre Mann (gone), Poku (gone), Mike Muscala (gone), Micic (gone), Biyambo (gone), Bertans (gone), Keyonte Johnson (possibly gone), Dieng (on roster), Oliver Sarr (ruptured Achilles in 4/2024), Adam Flagler (possibly gone),
Draft picks:
Nikola Topic (out 2024-25), Dillion Jones (guaranteed roster spot), Ajay Mitchell (two way)
Current healthy 2024-25 roster total including Topic, Jones and Dieng: 14
That leaves one roster spot with currently only Ajay Mitchell on a two way deal (really two roster spots since only 13 players who will actually be able to play this season)…so yes, there will be at least one two way player competing for a spot on the 15 man roster. I assume we bring Keyonte Johnson and Adam Flagler back on two way deals so that’s at least 3 people competing for the last roster spot and one allowed to be called up in place of Topic, assuming we don’t use our remaining cap space to bring in one last player but even if we do, Jones and Dieng will likely play on the G league at times, allowing a multiple 2-way players to be called up.
Regardless, Jones will be on the 15 man roster for sure and will compete for minutes in the rotation, especially if we roll with an 11 or larger man rotation again this year and given that Topic will not play.
Dob Hooligan 07-15-2024, 07:16 AM LOL. 1…he’s a first round pick on a guaranteed contract.
2. You can’t see a 2 way player competing for a spot on the 15 MAN ROSTER?!? What? lol. We have two way guys competing for roster spots at the end of the bench every year, including last year.
Here’s a list of people who played minutes on the back end of the bench and competed for the last few roster spots on the team last year:
Lindy waters III (gone), Tre Mann (gone), Poku (gone), Mike Muscala (gone), Micic (gone), Biyambo (gone), Bertans (gone), Keyonte Johnson (possibly gone), Dieng (on roster), Oliver Sarr (ruptured Achilles in 4/2024), Adam Flagler (possibly gone),
Draft picks:
Nikola Topic (out 2025-26), Dillion Jones (guaranteed roster spot), Ajay Mitchell (two way)
Current healthy 2024-25 roster total including Topic, Jones and Dieng: 14
That leaves one roster spot with currently only Ajay Mitchell on a two way deal (really two roster spots since only 13 players who will actually be able to play this season)…so yes, there will be at least one two way player competing for a spot on the 15 man roster. I assume we bring Keyonte Johnson and Adam Flagler back on two way deals so that’s at least 3 people competing for the last roster spot and one allowed to be called up in place of Topic, assuming we don’t use our remaining cap space to bring in one last player but even if we do, Jones and Dieng will likely play on the G league at times, allowing a multiple 2-way players to be called up.
I’m talking about Ajay Mitchell. The subject of the YouTube video in post # 1728.
PhiAlpha 07-15-2024, 07:18 AM I’m talking about Ajay Mitchell. The subject of the YouTube video in post # 1728.
Okay then see comments regarding the fact that we essentially have two spots for a two way player right now.
They aren’t going to shorten the rotation or not play anyone on the back end of the roster just because we won 57 games last year. Just like every other season, if he plays well enough, he’ll have a chance to earn a full contract. Will he jump in the full time rotation, probably not but he’ll definitely play minutes. Hell Lindy Waters played in 38 games last year and averaged 7.4 minutes per game.
Laramie 07-15-2024, 10:50 PM LAS VEGAS SUMMER LEAGUE 2024
Oklahoma City Thunder 73 vs Miami Heat 102
Box score https://www.espn.com/nba-summer-league/boxscore/_/gameId/401686840/league/nba-summer-las-vegas
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 7:00 p.m. CST
Pavilion - TV - NBA TV/ESPN+
PhiAlpha 07-16-2024, 02:36 PM Thunder officially sign Alex Ducas from Saint Mary signed to a two way contract:
https://x.com/okcthunder/status/1813228140459925657?s=46&t=7SyiZk5KdTcgVjJhYS-3KQ
Flagler, Mitchell and Ducas will be the Thunder’s two-way players.
Laramie 07-17-2024, 09:59 AM https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GSndyPsacAQ0qAY?format=jpg&name=medium
HT/WT - 6' 7", 220 lbs., Age: 23 - College: St. Mary's
Laramie 07-17-2024, 09:23 PM Las Vegas Summer League 2024
Phoenix Suns 100 vs Oklahoma City Thunder 99
Box score https://www.espn.com/nba-summer-league/boxscore/_/gameId/401686859/league/nba-summer-las-vegas
Friday, July 19, 2024
Golden State vs Oklahoma City - 8:30 PM
TV - NBA-TV/ESPN +
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