The Great Debate: Keeping Kyle Singler or Semaj Christon
By Tony Heim
The OKC Thunder have 16 pseudo-guaranteed contracts going into training camp for only 15 roster spots. That leaves Semaj Christon and Kyle Singler to battle it out for the final position.
We are about a month away from Thunder training camp – it’s time to start roster speculation. Like last season, Oklahoma City taking 16 guaranteed contracts into the 2017 training camp (date TBD). Unlike last season, when new veteran Ronnie Price was cut, the battle for the 15th roster spot will be between two completely different players.
Enter Player 1: Semaj Christon, second-year point guard, two years left on partially-guaranteed deal
Enter Player 2: Kyle Singler, sixth-year small forward, three years left on fully-guaranteed deal/one year unguaranteed
If you know anything about OKC, these names don’t excite you all that much. That’s normally the case for potential 15th men on an NBA roster. Whoever Sam Presti and Billy Donovan decides to keep won’t drastically change the course of the 2017-2018 season, but it will impact the team/organization in some form.
Why? Whether it’s an injury forcing one of these players to step into the rotation, locker room chemistry or a financial decision, everything matters in the NBA. And that’s why we gather here today to discuss the all-important 15th roster spot.
Let’s get it started.