Patrick Patterson opting in with OKC Thunder creates more decisions for brain trust

OKC Thunder power forward Patrick Patterson elects to opt into the final year of his contract worth $5,711,200 million.

Since joining the OKC Thunder Patrick Patterson has endured a roller coaster with regard to his role and playing time with the team. Patterson initially signed as a free agent in the summer of 2017 believing he would be taking the role of starting power forward.

The wildly unsuccessful OK3 experiment with Carmelo Anthony derailed those plans and Patterson moved to the bench. This season, once more Patterson returned to camp with the potential of starting or playing a bigger part in the Thunder system. Once again those plans didn’t come to fruition as Jerami Grant won the start.

Still, there was an assumption Patterson would provide quality defense and space the floor as a reserve. Unfortunately, Billy Donovan was quick with his notorious vaudeville hook relegating Pat as a bench warmer throughout most of the 2018-19 campaign.

Although Patterson’s numbers weren’t of the jump and down variety it should be noted how difficult it is for a 3-point shooter who relies on rhythm to gain any momentum when their appearances are limited to spot minutes.

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Generated 5/12/2019.

Giving credence to this argument the regression in Patterson’s 3-point shot was dramatic this season. This begs the question, if Patterson could rely on consistent playing time and allowed to get within the flow of the game would his perimeter effectiveness increase?

Adding insult to injury, the team elected to sign Markieff Morris in the buyout market which further relegated Patterson to inactivity. Neither player garnered significant playing time but while Morris cited his displeasure with the situation Patterson displayed his typical professionalism.

As the OKC Thunder conducted their season ending player exit interviews and Sam Presti’s annual conference there were hints from both that Patterson would opt into the final year of his three year deal.

Patterson spoke of his love for Oklahoma City and the team stating “I’m happy in OKC.”

General Manager, Sam Presti’s season ending press conference also provided clues the team was expecting Patterson to opt in.

Moreover, Presti also seemed to be massaging the relationship stating Patterson’s tenure hadn’t gone as expected. The General Manager alluded to how Pat dealt with his ever changing role professionally and how badly he felt about the situation.

Were these comments simply a GM paying homage to a professional player? Or was Presti laying the foundation for the future -and a larger role for Patterson?

That said, Presti has decisions to make about the roster since Patterson opting in means the team has nine players contractually committed at a cost of $143.5 million.  The roster still needs to be filled out, players who’ll depart need to be replaced and the very real need to add shooting remains a priority.

Moving forward, Patterson could still be a reliable defender and spread the court. If a coach (read we’re still clinging to the hope a new coach will be at the helm next season) were to provide Patterson constancy in his minutes it could pay dividends.

Certainly, if Patterson isn’t moved then whoever handles the coaching role needs to utilize him. Paying an asset and not incorporating them into the system isn’t logical. We’re not talking Kyle Singler here! Patterson possesses an above average I.Q and prior to arriving in Oklahoma was a reliable 3-point sniper. Given his constant display of being a team player, it’s also logical to assume Patterson would embrace whatever role he was assigned and would work to improve specific elements of his game.

With Patterson committed and the team limited financially it will be intriguing to see what the OKC Thunder brain trust elect to do with him and the squad this offseason.

Stay tuned to Thunderous intentions as we continue to provide news and analysis on your favorite team and players.