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OKC Thunder 2017-18 player preview: Alex Abrines

By Joshua Lea

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 21: Alex Abrines
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 21: Alex Abrines /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 17: Alex Abrines #8 of the OKC Thunder shoots the ball during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 17: Alex Abrines #8 of the OKC Thunder shoots the ball during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The OKC Thunder are still shocking the NBA with roster moves that no one saw coming. Now, with the season looming, we break down what we can expect from players this season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Thunder Nation have 205 million reasons to be happy right now. And now the season is quickly approaching. The team looks eager to take center stage of the NBA. Led by Russell Westbrook, this Thunder team has youth & experience to propel them into the contention conversation. Within that conversation, there is a couple of unknowns. Alex Abrines is arguably the most important one.

The 24-year old spent the offseason playing with the Spanish National team. He also started a workout routine in which he gained 10 pounds of muscle. Abrines should have a better chance of covering wings in the second unit and his shooting from NBA range should also improve. Thus, Abrines should have a bigger role in the second unit offense and may even crack the first unit at certain point.

It’s important for Abrines to be patient with the OKC Thunder offense. If head coach Billy Donovan decides to stagger the big three, Abrines will likely always have Westbrook, Paul George or Carmelo Anthony on the floor with him.

Last season, Abrines averaged just 15 minutes per game, good for 13th on the team. That won’t be the case this season if he makes the improvement we all expect.

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