OKC Thunder: Scotty Hopson picked the wrong time to join the OKC Blue
The OKC Thunder affiliate the OKC Blue loaded up with talent prior to the shutdown. Scotty Hopson could not have picked a worse time to sign.
When the OKC Blue signed Scotty Hopson to bolster their playing stocks leading into the playoffs, no one could imagine the global shutdown thanks to COVID-19. Hopson, a career journeyman is in his second stint with the OKC Blue who surely has aspirations of playing for the OKC Thunder.
Hopson has played professionally in Greece, Israel, Turkey, Spain, China, and Croatia before most recently spending time with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian National Basketball League,
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Hopson played well enough to average 19.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals in the 20 games that he appeared. This was comparable with his last stint in the G-League for the Blue where he averaged 16.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35 games.
He is a true all-around talent who would have further NBA aspirations. He has played a total of three NBA games, two with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013-14 and one with the Dallas Mavericks in 2013-14. He averaged 0.7 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.3 steals per game.
As I have stated in several previous articles, the OKC Thunder does not do anything without a reason. The Kentucky native has the all-around talent which would interest any team should he be able to elevate it to an NBA level.
This is where the timing of the signing is not great for Hopson. He played just six games for the Blue before the season was suspended. He averaged 18.5 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in that time, helping the team during the absence of Abdul Gaddy.
Being a borderline NBA talent, Hopson will be pushing at training camp to make a varsity roster next season. The shutdown is impacting his ability to develop his game in the OKC Blue system.
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This would have given Hopson his best chance but with the shutdown, he may have to wait another season before getting a shot.