Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

NBA Free Agency: Corey Brewer leads the race to return to OKC Thunder

By Gideon Lim

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 1: Russell Westbrook #0 and Corey Brewer #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shake hands before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 1, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 1: Russell Westbrook #0 and Corey Brewer #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shake hands before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 1, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
NBA Free Agency
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 23: Josh Huestis #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball NBA Free Agency. Before the game against the Utah Jazz in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Josh Huestis

  • Height: 6’7″ (201cm), with a wingspan of over 7 feet 
  • Position: SF
  • Age: 26
  • Years of experience in the NBA: Three
  • 2017-2018 salary: $1.47 million

As we broke down six months ago, Josh Huestis has the highest ceiling of all the Thunder’s wings, at least on paper. On offense, his shooting stroke is smooth, even if slow. On defense, he has been consistently converting his defensive potential into actual performance.

Huestis came into the league being touted as a great one-on-one defender who needs grooming for proper team defense. Since then, he has indeed made strides in the right direction. Watch how Huestis essentially covers the entire top perimeter by himself. Even though his footwork is choppy, his physical gifts and defensive awareness is testament to his potential.

But, things just haven’t seemed to click for him. Last season, he averaged close to 15 minutes per game (MPG) over 69 contests. And yet, even when he was handed the starting gig, Huestis failed to make the most of the opportunity. He shot a torrid 28.7% from deep and didn’t improve in his finishing around the rim.

The good news, however, he’s still an easy fit on the Thunder. Anytime Abrines or Melo sees the floor, there will be a place for Huestis and his malleable wing defense. And, his reported minimum salary range fits right into Sam Presti’s budget.

Verdict:

Josh Huestis is frankly running out of time before the narrative around “potential” expires. It’s possible that when Presti declined his $2.4 million last season, Presti wanted more flexibility for himself. But, more likely than not, with Roberson, Grant, and George back in the lineup, Huestis’ spot on the roster abruptly shrank.

Home/Thunder Free Agency