Has Markel Brown earned a call up to the OKC Thunder squad?

After spending time with the OKC Blue, has Markel Brown done enough to warrant a call up to the OKC Thunder?

After playing one and a half seasons with the OKC Blue, has Markel Brown done enough to return to the NBA with the OKC Thunder?  The 28-year old shooting guard who played his college ball with Oklahoma State might see this as his last chance to make it back into the league.

Brown played two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets back in 2014-15 and 2015-16. He averaged 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over 109 games. He even started 35 games in that time showing that he has good talent.

He did not shoot the ball well during this time. He went 38.2 percent from the floor and 29.5 percent from deep. Brown also played four-game for the Houston Rockets in the 2017-18 season on a two-way deal.

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Markel Brown has almost made the OKC Thunder squad before

He has also been on the cusp of making NBA teams being signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 season before being waived after training camp. He has also signed an exhibit 10 contract with the OKC Thunder before being waived at the start of last season.

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Brown has played internationally and in the G-League while he has been out of the NBA. During this time he has honed his craft, especially shooting the 3-ball. Last season for the OKC Blue he hit 41.4 percent of his 6.6 attempts from deep.

This floor-spacing ability is highly sought after in the NBA at the moment. With the league going to a more perimeter game thanks to the success of the Golden State Warriors. Brown is more than happy to stay on the perimeter, shooting 86 percent of his shots from deep last season.

However, Brown is not just a 3-point marksman. His all-around game is solid. Last season he averaged 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.6 steals per game. Most of these numbers are a little down from Brown’s career averages but he did have to work back from injury at the start of the season.

The question that needs to be asked is how much Brown will add to the OKC Thunder. This answer will vary depending on the direction they go this offseason. If they head down the rebuilding path then Brown is not on the correct timeline.

If they think they can get a similar team together from last season and push for a deeper run in the playoffs, then Brown has a greater chance. His shooting from deep could be a valuable commodity for the OKC Thunder next season.