With the NBA off season officially in full swing, the OKC Thunder turns attention to the summer league which is set to tip off July 6 in Las Vegas.
The OKC Thunder will be returning to Vegas for the first time since 2010 after competing in Orlando in the franchise’s first year. All 30 teams will participate in Vegas for the first time. Each team is guaranteed at least five games.
Teams will play three scheduled games before being seeded based on their record in a double-elimination tournament. All 82 games will be televised on the ESPN networks and NBA TV, going through July 17.
The OKC Thunder initial three-game lineup is scheduled as follows:
- Friday, July 6 – 4:30 p.m. vs Charlotte (ESPNU)
- Saturday, July 7 – 6 p.m. vs Brooklyn (NBA TV)
- Monday, July 9 – 2:30 p.m. vs Toronto (NBA TV)
*all times listed are Central
12 Days. 82 Games. All 30 Teams.
— NBA Summer League (@NBASummerLeague) June 12, 2018
The MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2018 schedule has been released! What matchups are you most looking forward to seeing?
View the schedule: https://t.co/OP9ztpIfBm
Get your tix: https://t.co/Myaaly7xbO#NBASummer pic.twitter.com/1FLx3TvcDL
Suiting up for the Thunder will be 20-year old shooting guard Terrance Ferguson and big man Dakari Johnson. Both Ferguson and Johnson saw scattered minutes with the OKC Thunder this season, and will compete in the summer league to refine their talent. The lineup will also include OKC’s pair of second-round draft picks and a selection of the Oklahoma City Blue’s 12-man roster.
Likley to be included from the OKC Blue is P.J. Dozier and Daniel Hamilton, each on two-way contracts. Hamilton averaged 16.1 points per game along with nine rebounds and three assists. Dozier scored 12.9 points, pulled down 5.6 rebounds and tallied 2.7 assists.
Markel Brown could also land a spot, as he finished second on the Blue in scoring (17.4 PPG) and steals (1.4). Josh Huestis spent the entirety of his final year under contract with the Thunder, but could be another candidate should he return in free agency.
Another thing to look for is Sam Presti adding unsigned prospects and previous G-League players to the team in an effort to sign affordable talent. In recent years players like Jonathon Simmons and Fred VanVleet found their way to NBA squads with solid Vegas Summer League performances.
Last season, the Thunder finished in fourth place with 2-3 record. OKC was led by Johnson, Ferguson and Domantas Sabonis. Things are different this time around for many reasons. But as OKC faces uncertain times, roster spots are up for grabs.
To see the initial three game schedule for all teams visit NBA.com. As mentioned, the final two games will be determined based on the team’s performances in the opening round.