Next man up: 5 OKC Thunder players that can benefit from Hamidou Diallo’s absence

Preferences:

The uncertainty of the Roberson portion of this equation makes his inclusion moot. Until the OKC Thunder are more forthcoming than stating “he needs to be comfortable” there is no use including him in the mix.

Another factor is what the specific goal of the team is and what Sam Presti does in the coming weeks as the trade deadline looms. Approximately three weeks from now things could heat up as players who signed this summer become eligible to be moved (December 15th). Will Presti capitalize on that window to move an asset or conversely add someone?

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As the Thunder completes that horrific 20 game season-opening schedule how will strategies change if the team is close to a playoff berth? Alternatively, if the team trades any of the current contributors such as Danilo Gallinari how would that shift affect the rotation?

Ultimately there are more questions than answers and we’re flying blindfolded because we don’t know the true objective for this season. Presti took the Pat Riley stance saying the franchise’s constant goal was to contend and never would take the bait to call this a rebuild. That may well have been posturing in an effort not to show his cards to potential trade partners who would capitalize by playing hard ball in negotiations if they thought Presti was privately committed to a rebuild.

As such, it leaves us with no alternative than to take Presti for his word.

Therefore, if I’m Donovan I send Roberson to the OKC Blue to foster Dre’s confidence. If Nader can’t produce another solid performance in the next few appearances I’d also consider sending him to the Blue to build consistently aggressive habits (and his confidence).

Furthermore, I’d invest those 10 to 12 minutes per game with Gilgeous-Alexander, Deonte Burton, Darius Bazley, Mike Muscala, and Nerlens Noel. This checks off a myriad of boxes on the to-do list.

That’s my take on the situation. What would you do if you had the choice to make? Let us know in the comments section.