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OKC Thunder 30 for 30, Part 10- Examining big man Noah Vonleh

By Lawrence George

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 29: Noah Vonleh #30 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on March 29, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 29: Noah Vonleh #30 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on March 29, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Noah Vonleh, Chicago Bulls for OKC Thunder trade article (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The OKC Thunder for 30 for 30 ventures to the city that never sleeps to breakdown former first-round pick Noah Vonleh.

The OKC Thunder 30 for 30 series continues, this time heading to New York to examine big man Noah Vonleh. Drafted ninth overall in the 2014 draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Vonleh possesses a tonne of untapped potential yet to be unlocked. The Knicks are his fourth club in four seasons and his career trajectory seems to be heading in the downward direction at the supple age of 22. His contract this season is partially guaranteed and heads to the Knicks training camp competing for a forward spot heading to the 2018-19 season.

In two stops with the Portland Trailblazers and Chicago Bulls, Vonleh averaged 4.9 points, 5.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game while shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 30.1 percent on three’s. With NBA clubs enamored with small ball, Vonleh’s inability to hit the long ball has seen his stock nose dive thus has become a journeyman in just four years of professional basketball. However, his hustle and huge motor should keep teams interested, allowing him to carve out a decent NBA career even if he moves around the league.

Oklahoma City need depth at the power forward position. With Patrick Patterson the only legitimate four on the roster, the Thunder will rely on Jerami Grant to slide up a spot as back-up. While Vonleh won’t help OKC’s lack of shooting, his huge motor and willingness to do the dirty work hold tremendous intangible value.

Lets dive a little deeper and examine where he potentially fits on Oklahoma City’s roster.

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