OKC Thunder in the news for September 12 features a look at familiar faces returning and an update on where former players are landing.
Just 12 sleeps until training camp starts for the OKC Thunder and with that the final tweaks to the team are occurring. With that some former players are finding landing spots via new gigs and a familiar face returns to the team. With that, we dive into the news for September 12th.
OKC Thunder bring back familiar face:
Sam Presti is on a roll in terms of reuniting the team with familiar faces. First the OKC Thunder GM served up a training camp invite to former OKC Blues wing man Richard Solomon. News out of New York from Michael Scotto on Twitter suggests Presti is also bringing back a former coach to add to Billy Donovan‘s staff.
Dave Bliss returns to join the OKC Thunder sidelines and as per Scotto the coach is considered a top notch assistant who excels in the development of young players.
Former New York Knicks assistant coach Dave Bliss is returning to the Oklahoma City Thunder as an assistant coach, a league source told The Athletic. Bliss is highly regarded around the league for his work developing players.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 11, 2018
Dakari Johnson rumored to be headed overseas:
Keeping with the tangent of former players, rumor has it former OKC Thunder big man Dakari Johnson is headed overseas to play in China this season.
Michael Bohlin of 247 Sports offered up the details noting how Johnson has been in constant motion this offseason. First, he was involved in the trade that sent him to the Orlando. The Magic released him in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies who ended up cutting the big man loose.
"According to a report from the Chinese newspaper Jinan Times, Johnson has come to an agreement with the Qingdao Eagles on a deal that will bring the former Kentucky Wildcats standout to Asia as a professional for the first time in his career.Earlier this summer, the Thunder have agreed to trade reserve center Dakari Johnson and cash considerations to the Orlando Magic in exchange for reserve guard Rodney Purvis …. Shortly thereafter, the Magic shipped Johnson out of town by agreeing to a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for NBA veteran Jarell Martin and cash considerations."
Here’s wishing Johnson well in his move to China.
Is Brewer reuniting with Melo?
Another OKC Thunder former player may be headed to join Carmelo Anthony in Houston. This courtesy of Rockets GM Daryl Morey’s instagram post which hints “Brewing up something special with @cbrewcrew3.
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Given the Rockets are looking to add defense and possibly increase their pace, this seems like a logical economical move.
Brewer may not have filled up the stat sheet in his short turn in OKC, but he did an admirable job of helping the team push pace and get out on the fast break.
Hopes are the return of Andre Roberson will provide that in the starting rotations. And, the trio of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Hamkdou Diallo and returning sophomore Terrance Ferguson will effectively provide that punch off the bench.
Here’s wishing the “Drunken Greyhound” luck with his next team – just not when he plays the OKC Thunder.
That wraps up OKC Thunder in the news for September 12. Have a great day and make sure to bookmark Thunderous Intentions to catch the teams daily take on your favorite team and players.