Expectations are the OKC Thunder will be active at the trade deadline. In this light, TI continues a series looking at G-League and overseas players of note and with that turn to Mitch Creek.
The OKC Thunder roster has a really good chance of looking very different before the trade deadline is over. As a result, the Thunder need to be actively looking for players who will fill their needs.
Mitch Creek played a total of five NBA games last season, four for the Brooklyn Nets and one for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He spent most of last season playing for the Nets G-League affiliate the Long Island Nets.
Creek’s NBA stats were not bad for a short term type player. He averaged 4.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.4 steals per game in just 9.6 minutes of action.
His G-League stats were good. He averaged 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He was able to showcase his high energy game at this level.
Basketball means a lot to the 6’5″ Australian forward. Two things stick out when thinking of how Creek has responded to opportunity. The first is when he received the call that he was going to play for the Nets, he was in tears.
The second thing is how he responded to scoring his first NBA point. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had just been fouled and was unable to take his free throws. The opposition coach chose Creek to take them. How did Creek respond? He hit one of two. Take a look at his reaction when he was subbed back out.
More from Thunder News
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
The smile is about a mile wide, even though he was only in the game for mere seconds. Also, look at the way his teammates get around him. This shows how good a teammate he is.
Creek has traveled back to Australia to play the NBL season with the new franchise in the NBL, the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The small forward has contributed hugely to the success of this club, averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
He is top 15 in the league in most of these categories, including placing third in the league in scoring. While not a top-notch 3-point shooter, Creek is able to bring so much to the team, including being the right type of person that the OKC Thunder look for. He also happens to be an ex-teammate of Terrance Ferguson.
The NBL season finishes on Feb 19 so this could be the perfect time to add Creek. He will be game fit and ready to inject some life in the last two months of a grinding NBA season.