Patrick Patterson talks big man role, movies and options in OKC Thunder exit interview
Patrick Patterson OKC Thunder exit interview hit on big man role in the current NBA, his movie habits and his player option which may play a big role in the team’s future.
It has been a bumpy ride for Patrick Patterson since joining the OKC Thunder. Initially, he was added in free agency two seasons ago to fill the role of the starting power forward. Those plans quickly fell by the wayside when Carmelo Anthony was added to the mix.
With Melo leaving this past summer, once again Patterson had an opportunity to regain that coveted starting position. Instead, his typical slow start to the season saw him lose the starting role in favor of Jerami Grant who grew into what I’d say became the most reliable scoring option behind Russell Westbrook and Paul George.
Next Patterson saw his minutes peeter off as Billy Donovan elected to play Paul George some spot minutes at the four and when the team added Markieff Morris he lost all his minutes.
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Moving forward, Patterson has the choice of opting into the final year of his contract worth $5,711,200. That’s a reasonable price — as long as he plays. Without getting played through the latter stages of the 2018-19 season it might be best for Patterson to opt into his contract and force the OKC Thunder brain trust to make their move.
Regardless of how Billy Donovan feels about Patterson, there will be teams who’ll view his high I.Q., defense and perimeter ability positively. In fact, I’d bet Dwane Casey would jump at the opportunity to add Patterson in a heartbeat. We’ll likely revisit that option once we get closer to the free agent moratorium and trade options this summer.
On his sacrifice:
Patterson noted Donovan approached him to tell him about the trade (Markieff Morris) and he appreciated the heads up. Pat noted he knew the only issue would be how he accepted the news and he chose to remain professional for the betterment of the team.
Ever the professional - Patrick Patterson spoke of dealing with his sacrificed playing time stating Donovan spoke to him prior to Markieff's addition & Pat recognized the only thing that would hurt the team is if he didn't view it positively. #ThunderUp
— Thunderous Intentions (@thunderousint) April 25, 2019
On returning next season:
Patterson loves the OKC Thunder and his comments seem to suggest he would like to return. Notably, Patterson has the option on his contract and his salary isn’t large, but if he’s not playing or getting minutes he becomes an expensive bench filler.
Patterson discusses offseason work stating his plans are to spend as much time as possible playing with guards to assist his defensive growth. Hard not to envision Pat as a coach at some point given how eloquently he described the role of a big man in the NBA. #ThunderUp
— Thunderous Intentions (@thunderousint) April 25, 2019
Role of the big man in today’s era:
As I noted in the tweet, when you hear Patterson talk he possesses a strong basketball I.Q., so much so that it wouldn’t be unreasonable to see him in a coaching role at some point in his future although his love of movies may usurp that ever happening.
On his love of movies:
Patterson noted he’ll watch at least a couple hundred movies this offseason and his plans that night was to attend The Avengers End Game. A funny moment was how the media throng reacted to his statement he sits in the front row. With his height, it’s understandable as sitting in the front row would allow him to stretch out his long 6’9″ body and long legs.
For anyone not familiar Patterson is a huge movie buff who'll attend plenty of films this summer including The Avengers End Game this evening. Notably he likes to sit in the front row (which makes sense so he can stretch out his legs). #ThunderUp
— Thunderous Intentions (@thunderousint) April 25, 2019
The other notable takeaway is whether Donovan will even be the team’s coach next season. If he’s gone his replacement may see the viability of utilizing Patterson next season.
Also of note, with Grant playing minutes at the five – should the Thunder elect to trade, say Steven Adams there would be room to look at playing Patterson and Grant together which would then give the OKC Thunder two bigs with the potential to space the floor.
Lots of decisions to be made this summer and Patterson may well be the key to a few of them.
Next. Ranking every bench unit in Thunder history. dark
You can watch Patterson’s exit interview in its entirety above.