Steven Adams: OKC Thunder
The current longest-tenured Thunder player (alongside Andre Roberson), Steven Adams was selected 12th overall in what was a pretty weak 2013 draft. Adams is currently third in VORP (Value Over Replacement Player) among players from the 2013 draft, behind all-stars Rudy Gobert and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If we are being honest with ourselves, Adams is arguably the last draft pick OKC GM Sam Presti actually hit on (jury still out on Ferguson) and he was rewarded with a 100 million dollar contract in 2016. Adams will go into the 2019 season at only 26 years old and is likely a piece the OKC Thunder want to move forward with.
Alex Abrines: FC Barcelona
After being selected 32nd overall in 2013, Alex Abrines continued to play overseas with FC Barcelona until coming to the U.S in 2016 and immediately became a key rotation piece for the Thunder. Playing in sixteen minutes a game over the past three seasons and being one of OKC’s best shooters in that span.
OKC fans were confused when Abrines mysteriously disappeared from the rotations in late December. Abrines was later waived by OKC on February 9th and gave back the rest of his remaining salary.
The answer to why he stepped away was answered on July 3rd when Abrines posted an Instagram video detailing his battles with his mental health (for a more detailed article, check out this piece by our fellow writer). On July 12th, Abrines signed a two-year deal to return to FC Barcelona.