OKC Thunder: 3 season goals for Isaiah Roby in 2020-21
This year is pivotal for Isaiah Roby as he struggles to find his place in the NBA. Here are three goals for the OKC Thunder second-year player.
Isaiah Roby was drafted 45th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2019 NBA draft. He was seen to be a talent but had the injury-prone tag. He was then traded less than a week later to the Dallas Mavericks, who only played him in the G-League for the Texas Legends.
Isaiah Roby was traded to the OKC Thunder in January for Justin Patton and managed to play three games for a total of 11 minutes since then. His statistical contribution in a Thunder uniform is minimal, to say the least.
In those three games, he collected two rebounds, committed a turnover and a foul as well as missing the only field goal attempt that he took. When his season finished early, due to injury, it did not have a huge impact on the Thunder rotations.
OKC Thunder first-year player Isaiah Roby shows his all-round game in the G-League
Because he was a Thunder contracted player when he was injured the team was not able to replace him for the NBA restart. This meant that they went with 16 players rather than the maximum of 17 and given how little Roby contributed, this way not an issue.
Dallas is trading forward Isaiah Roby to Oklahoma City for Justin Patton and cash consideration, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 24, 2020
Roby was more effective in his time in the G-League for the OKC Blue. He played eight games but did not get a single start. He averaged 6.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 19.4 minutes.
It is this all-round game which should have OKC Thunder fans wanting him to succeed. He also puts his body on the line to get the loose ball. If he can keep this energy going next season then Roby may have a chance at becoming an NBA rotation piece.