Why OKC Thunder should consider signing Mitch Creek

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.