OKC Thunder: Re-grading the Josh Huestis selection

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 20: Josh Huestis #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 20, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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Josh Huestis #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The interesting case study of Josh Huestis

The OKC Thunder tried to allow Josh Huestis to spend his first two seasons developing with the OKC Blue, however, that plan didn’t work. After playing just seven games before this third professional season, it was put up or shut up time.

In that third season is when fans became divided on Huestis. He played in 69 games, including 10 starts on his way to 14 minutes per contest.

Throughout that season, OKC Thunder head man Billy Donovan refused to let the third-year player get into a rhythm. With even the slightest mistake, Huestis would be yanked off the floor. Even when he was playing well, it felt as if he could do nothing to remain on the hardwood.

That season, Josh Huestis averaged two points, and two rebounds per game with a few fantastic defensive displays along the way.

During that 69 game stretch, he came away with ten multi-block games and two multi-steal games. While he could play great defense in spurts, Huestis never got the fouling under control. For him to average nearly two fouls per tilt in limited minutes was concerning for Donovan and company. In games that his minutes increased, so did the fouls.

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