OKC Thunder buy-out series Part 1 – Examining Michael Beasley

Fit

Since the turn of the new year, Oklahoma City has deployed a space and pace game plan predicated on surrounding Russ and PG with 3-point shooters.  Since December 1st, the Thunder rank 5th overall in 3-point percentage (37.8) and have absolutely torched teams from the perimeter in their last 15 games shooting 42.7 percent.

Beasley isn’t a perfect fit for Billy Donovan’s offense since he doesn’t shoot the three particularly well over his career. In his two seasons prior to this year, the 30-year-old shot 41.1 and 39.5 percent from deep on limited attempts. While he doesn’t shoot a high volume of triples, Beasley has shown he can knock down open jumpers if given the opportunity.

Still, the veteran finds comfort in the mid-range and that may prove to be an issue if he tries to post up on a majority of possessions. While his game isn’t a direct match for what OKC want to do, he can score the rock and doesn’t need assistance to create a shot.

Final Thought

With 12 roster spots occupied and the recent departure of Alex Abrines, OKC could do with another wing to bolster its wing depth. While Beasley came into the league as a small forward, he

More from Thunder News

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

has slowly moved into the power forward position where he poses match-up problems. The Thunder’s second unit needs scoring to help keep the starters off the court.

Patrick Patterson is OKC’s stretch four off the bench and prefers to play from beyond the arc, therefore, adding Beasley to the line-up doesn’t interfere with his playing time. With Beasley looking to play in the mid-range, he is a perfect complimentary piece for the second unit. A Schroder, Paul George, Beasley, Patterson, and Nerlens Noel is a nice balanced unit with each player able to score in different ways.

OKC showed interest in Beasley this off-season so I would be surprised if OKC doesn’t rekindle its courtship. With minutes to be had, this is a perfect opportunity for him to show his skills as a scorer.

For OKC, this could be a blessing moving forward.