Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder offseason report card – Grading every Sam Presti move

By Lawrence George

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 9, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart YoungNBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 9: Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 9, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bart YoungNBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder forward Abdel Nader
BOSTON, MA – MAY 23: Abdel Nader #28 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 23, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Abdel Nader – Three years, $4.75 million (approx.)

Deal Structure:

2018-19 – $1,378,242 ($450,000 guaranteed)
2019-20 – $1,618,520 (Non-guaranteed)
2020-21 – $1,752,950 (Team Option)

This deal is a little confusing since Abdel Nader never showed anything in Boston. Heavily criticized by Celtics fans, there was a sense of relief when he was moved to Oklahoma City.


Interestingly, it appears the OKC Thunder are set on keeping him, allowing his $1.3 million deal to become guaranteed as of August 1. Taken 58th overall, the 6’6 guard out of North Illinois averaged three points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 10.9 minutes. That’s incredibly low production as he took the floor 48 times. Encouragingly, he did shoot 35.4 percent from three but was abysmal from the field, hitting on a poor 33.6 percent of his attempts overall.

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Nader’s willingness to fire away from deep will certainly help spacing and he showed flashes of defensive abilities last year. Few guards play hard and block shots thus Nader fits OKC’s defensive philosophies.

The Thunder have been plagued by one-way players since their inception and Nader appears to be able to play both sides of the ball. As it stands, the 25 year old needs more time to develop but one could argue that at his age, he is what he is.

If he develops into something, that is a good win for OKC. However given the salary and luxury tax implications of his contract, it is a little confusing to pay someone $1.3 million as a 14th or 15th man.

The luxury tax hit is roughly $5 million with his addition thus spending it on a veteran may have been a better move.

Until I see something, his arrival remains a question mark.

Grade: C

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