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NBA Free Agency: Ty Lawson could be spark for OKC bench

By Jordan Buckamneer

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 17: Ty Lawson #4 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Toronto Raptors in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 17: Ty Lawson #4 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Toronto Raptors in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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What will Lawson be in his return to the NBA? It’s hard to tell based on the small sample size and what he was able to do in China. What we do know is Oklahoma City needs a backup point guard who can score.

With all due respect to Raymond Felton, he wasn’t the answer. Felton came in last year overweight, and although he stayed healthy, he wasn’t bringing a spark off the bench the Thunder desperately needed.

Based on his social media, Lawson has a chip on his shoulder and is motivated to prove himself this season. He won’t be a great sixth man every night, but he will bring energy and has the potential to score in double figures each game.

This is exactly what the Thunder need, given how terrible the second unit’s offense was last year. OKC finished dead last in scoring at 25.5 points per game, so something has to change.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkQ64IShKVg/?taken-by=tylawson3

In order to acquire Lawson, Sam Presti almost has to get him for a veteran minimum. Which will require a good sales pitch and a bit of luck. For the Thunder, it’s a chance to find the answer to one of the biggest issues last season. And for Lawson, it’s a chance to play for a winner while having ample opportunity to show his offensive prowess.

Next: Comprehensive NBA Free Agency primer

The key to all of this, however, is getting him cheap. Oklahoma City was already well past the salary prior to the free agency period, and it has continued to get closer with the signings of Paul George, Jerami Grant and Nerlens Noel. But if Presti can land Lawson next, it could be one of the most underrated pickups this free agency.

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