OKC Thunder trade: 5 targets who solve OKC’s shooting woes

Luke Babbitt

Career 3-point percentage – 40.2
Total 3-point shots in 2017-18 – 156
3-point shots made per game – 1.2
3-point shots attempted per game -3.1
3-point percentage in 2017-18 – 38.5

Formerly with Atlanta and the Miami Heat, its surprising that Luke Babbitt has yet to receive an offer from any NBA squad. The 29 year-old possesses the one skill every club in the league is searching for – elite 3-point shooting. Babbitt’s game resembles one similar to a poor man’s Joe Ingles – a shrewd operator with ball with next to no athletic ability but makes shots with high efficiency.

Last season, Babbitt averaged 4.3 points and 1.7 rebounds on 42.3 percent shooting and 38.5 percent from three during his time with the Hawks and Heat. The veteran began the 2017-18 season with Atlanta, playing 37 games shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 44.1 percent from three. However after being traded to Miami for Okaro White, Babbitt’s offensive game fell apart. He finished the year shooting a putrid 23.4 percent from the field and 24.4 percent from three while losing trust from head coach Erik Spoelstra in the process.

His best performance came in the Hawks 114-102 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Babbitt came off the bench to score 20 points on 7-9 shooting, 4-6 from three, 2-2 free throws in 21 minutes.

While Babbitt isn’t a house hold name, one thing he does very well is make open shots from beyond the arc. Additionally, he provides cover at the power forward position and doesn’t require big minutes to make an impact on the game. OKC’s roster is full of non-shooting wings and a power forward who is struggling to find the range at the moment.

Babbitt is an unrestricted free agent as we speak. Oklahoma City should extend him an invitation. Given the Thunder’s inability to land triples, he would be an instant upgrade in the 3-point department.