With one roster spot remaining, the OKC Thunder are best to sign a veteran shooter. Here are 3 names still available on the open market.
The OKC Thunder have one open roster spot and have yet to decide whether the squad will enter the playoffs with a full 15-man squad. Oklahoma City has entered the post-season with a full roster each year since its inception thus it seems likely Sam Presti will elect to do the same again.
OKC must use it to pick up a veteran shooter.
After failing to trade for a shooter at the February deadline, Oklahoma City relied heavily on the open market to attract unrestricted free agents. With limited playing time available, the Thunder were unable to draw a big-time shooter to the MidWest and are now looking to find a diamond in the rough.
Oklahoma City needs a veteran wing who can come of the bench and shoot the 3-ball above league rate (35 percent). Since the All-Star break, OKC is converting on only 33.2 percent of its 3-point attempts (25th) with the squad light on wing depth. With Paul George and Jerami Grant emerging as the team’s most reliable 3-point shooters, acquiring a veteran who’s proven to shoot the rock at a high rate is important.
The following three candidates meet the following:
- Able to play at least one wing spot
- Shoots 37 percent or above from three for his career
- Brings playoff experience to the squad
As currently constructed, the Thunder’s depth on its wings is questionable at best with Abdel Nader receiving regular minutes at small forward. While he has played well in stretches, Nader is not the answer when Paul George sits. Terrance Ferguson is a solid replacement when PG is off-court but he is prone to foul trouble every other game.
Without further ado, let’s get into it.