In the news: OKC Thunder likely Vegas bound this summer, NCAA Prospects

OKC Thunder In the news for November 19 features OKC likely heading to Vegas this summer and NCAA prospects to keep an eye on this season.

Magic will not host Summer League:

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports the Magic are ending their Summer League. Since 2002 Orlando has held the event 14 times with various team participants. Utah and Las Vegas hosted the other Summer Leagues.

Each of the three venues offered something different. Utah’s event was the smallest with four team participants playing three games over four days. Last summer those participants were the Jazz, Celtics, Sixers and Spurs. Notably all four teams also played in the Las Vegas event.

The Orlando event was unique for it’s more intimate setting. Spectators in Orlando were limited to a sprinkling of media and other team’s management personnel. New Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman believes the Magic summer roster will benefit from participating at the larger Vegas event. Last season 24 teams participated.

"“We want to do what’s right for the team, for our players,” Weltman said. “But that being said, when the large portion of the league is there [in Las Vegas], it does kind of create an environment where you want your young guys to be a part of what the league is about. So there is that added component.”"

For the Magic other than traveling expenses the big change is they featured two teams in their own event and will only have one in Vegas.

OKC Thunder likely move to Vegas Summer League:

The other seven teams who participated in Orlando were the Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and the OKC Thunder. Of those the Mavericks and Heat also participated in Vegas.

Moving forward presumably the OKC Thunder will chose to join the majority of teams in Vegas. In the past few seasons Vegas has grown into a much larger event. Stars and veterans are frequently in attendance and several players come to Vegas to host their own mini camps. Presumably the League Office hopes to get all 30 teams in Las Vegas.

Another OKC Thunder clutch time loss:

Something tells me If the OKC Thunder ever figure out their clutch time sets and manage to capture a victory it could result in a domino effect. Sometimes a statement win will spur a team’s confidence and suddenly the squad goes on a big win streak. In Saturday’s In the news I highlighted how four of the OKC Thunder’s eight losses have occurred in clutch time.

In those four losses the OKC Thunder lost once by four points, twice by three points and once by two (so 12 points cumulatively). While the Thunder sit at 7-8 they could very easily be 11 -4. Moving forward clutch time becomes an essential segment for coach Billy Donovan to focus on.

In case you missed it Tony Heim offers five more things OKC should look to improve in his 5 Takeaways from the loss to the Spurs.

Eye on NCAA Prospects:

The OKC Thunder still have another 67 regular season games to play and hopefully a long playoff run ahead of them. Still, it’s never too early to start observing prospects Sam Presti may be looking to add next June. To that end, TI scribe Nick Delahanty examines five prospects who may fall into the Thunder’s section of the draft and should garner Presti’s watchful eye.

"There is still a long time until the 2018 NBA Draft, which will take place on June 21. However, it’s never too early to take a look at potential prospects who could be good fits for the OKC Thunder.Depending on where their pick falls, the OKC Thunder may or may not have a first round pick in the upcoming draft. As a result, the scenario for the pick is pretty straightforward:"

Next: 5 Takeaways from another clutch time loss

That wraps up in the news for November 19. Here’s wishing you a wonderful finish to your weekend. Make sure to stop by Thunderous Intentions daily for a fix on your favorite team and players.

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