The Oklahoma City Thunder are deliberating how to fill their lone vacant roster slot after the Denver Nuggets matched Oklahoma City’s offer sheet to restricted free agent forward Spencer Jones.
Possible Internal Promotions
According to The Oklahoman reporter Justin Martinez, the club may begin the season with only 14 standard contracts or elevate a two-way player. Second-round pick Otega Oweh is viewed as a candidate, while recently waived guard Payton Sandfort could also receive consideration after the Thunder traded shooters Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to shed salary.
Summer League Report Cards
Martinez handed out modest grades for the team’s youngsters in Las Vegas:
- Aday Mara, the No. 10 overall pick, earned a B- while averaging 9.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocks in 24 minutes per game. Concerns centered on occasional lapses in aggression and physicality.
- Bennett Stirtz, drafted 16th, received the highest mark with a B+. Serving as primary facilitator and shot-creator, the guard averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 2.6 turnovers across 27.4 minutes.
Budget Drives Recent Trades
The Athletic’s Fred Katz reports that the decision to move Luguentz Dort, Wiggins and Joe was not about avoiding the NBA’s second tax apron. Instead, owner Clay Bennett chose to keep payroll in check in the league’s third-smallest market, a strategy that could hamper short-term competitiveness and force additional difficult choices as core players become more expensive.
Coaching Staff Change
Former Thunder shooting guru Chip Engelland has joined the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach, leaving a vacancy on Mark Daigneault’s bench.
The Thunder have until the start of training camp to decide whether to promote from within or explore external options for their 15th roster spot.
Source: Hoops Rumors
