OKC Thunder: Checking in on two-way players Deonte Burton and Donte Grantham
By Rylan Stiles
The OKC Thunder have a pair of capable players inked to two-way deals with the OKC Blue. How are they fairing in the G-League to this point?
The OKC Thunder locked fan favorite Deonte Burton, and the ever interesting Donte Grantham into two-way contracts for this season.
A two-way contract allows a player to not only play for their professional teams G-League affiliate (In the OKC Thunder’s case the OKC Blue) but also join the parent club (NBA team, OKC Thunder in this case) for 45 days (travel days not included, but practice days are) The players are compensated at the end of the year for the total of days spent in the NBA.
Deonte Burton:
Starting with everyone’s favorite, Deonte Burton. The high rising 24-year-old has logged 15 games for the OKC Thunder, totaling 49 points (3.3 points per game) and a few dunks that got fans buzzing. However, Deonte Burton’s biggest positive is not his big play dunking ability.
It is his ability to be fearless. Deonte Burton looks confident and looks like he knows he belongs in this league. Even when sharing a floor with players of Russell Westbrook and Paul George’s caliber, he believes in himself and that is an unteachable trait.
So many times, players are intimidated by certain environments and do not play their game.
Look at Domantas Sabonis. Every OKC Thunder fan knew the potential Sabonis had, and the very good player he would become. However, in his time with OKC, he looked legitimately scared to share the floor with Russell Westbrook. He was so worried about not messing up, that it would cause him to fumble a ball loose here or there.
Burton, on the other hand, can literally air ball a shot and shoot the next without hesitation.
In the G-League, Deonte Burton has played in 18 games (17 of which are games started) he averages 29 minutes per game and over 16 points per game. Burton is shooting 43 percent from the field, but just 26 percent from beyond the arc.
His five rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game round out his total package stat line. The only knock on the 6’5″ 250 pound wing is that he is already 24 years old.
Burton deserves more time with the varsity squad, and I would assume they are saving him for the home stretch of the season.
Donte Grantham:
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Earlier in the season, the OKC Thunder waived center Tyler Davis in favor of forward Donte Grantham. The 6’8″. 215 pound, 23 year old from Clemson University has played in fifteen games for the OKC Blue. Grantham has made 12 starts for Mark Daigneault’s squad.
Grantham averages 27 minutes per game and averages 11 points per game. He is a .44 percent 3-point shooter. Grantham is averaging 2.5 perimeter shots made on 5.7 attempts. That is his biggest plus side for the OKC Thunder.
Of the two, Burton without question will provide the most impact for the OKC Thunder, and in my estimation, has the best chance at a legitimate NBA career. Grantham’s 3-point stroke may get him some playing time with the Thunder, and since he is already signed to a two-way deal the Thunder might as well use at least a few of his days to see what he has.
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The OKC Blue currently sit with a 21-9 record in the G-League second in the West only sitting behind the Santa Cruz Warriors who have turned in a 22-7 record to this point, including a huge 113-103 win over the OKC Blue on Sunday.