OKC Thunder: Deonte Burton season and contract grades

After completing his second season with the OKC Thunder it is time to look at Deonte Burton’s season – grades.

Deonte Burton had a season with the OKC Thunder he would like to forget. While the team surprised the rest of the NBA by having the fourth-best record in the West, Burton had a season that may cost him a spot in the league next year.

He averaged 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game. These numbers are either a tiny increase from last season or a drop. He did not show the growth required for the Thunder to exercise his team option next year.

In fact, his 3-point percentage dropped to an extremely poor 18.9 percent. For a player who needs to be ready every time he sets foot on the court. Burton just did not seem to display that this year. He did bring energy to the court but it was not enough.

The incident which probably cost Deonte Burton his OKC Thunder future.

When the OKC Thunder season was going incredibly well, there came a rumor that there was an issue inside the locker room. The report was that Burton and Dennis Schroder had an altercation in early December.

The Thunder suspended Burton for a game and then sent him back to the G-League to play with the OKC Blue. Burton’s response was to show a high level of professionalism and take the punishment.

However, with only a few exceptions, then coach Billy Donovan did not really use Burton much afterward. Schroder was a key piece in the success of the Thunder, Burton most certainly was not.