OKC Thunder: 3 specific opportunities created via roster turnover

Carve out a niche:

Virtually every NBA player would list competing in the playoffs and winning a championship as their primary objective. Losing is NEVER fun. However, with those realities, it’s also true that players are equally ecstatic for the chance to show off their talent and strengths.

Many of the players who’ll make this squad weren’t afforded those chances or if they were the situations were limited.

A season ago Sam Presti cited the goal of playing “meaningful late-season games”. And while the goal is different this season the “meaningful” part of the equation remains relevant. The difference will be applied via the squad’s preparation and development of meaningful habits.

Every game offers opportunities for players and will this entire season. As coach Daigneault said following practice last week:

"“Every time you’re missing players it’s opportunities for other guys, it’s opportunity to see kind of a different version of the team — so we’ll look forward to make the most of those situations when they do come up.”"

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There will undoubtedly be more nights than not when this ‘Resiliency Phase’ roster comes up short. With that being the case, Daigneault’s charges won’t be spending 48 minutes and all their energy trying to lock down the opponent at the expense of scoring.

That’s not to say the Thunder will abandon their defensive standards. Perhaps more than any other characteristic at the top of the Thunder identity list is defense. That means the bench boss will be paying close attention to who best fulfills the team’s needs.

Early in the process, the coach has emphasized positionless basketball and two-way capabilities. As such there will be an abundance of roles to fulfill and subsequently afford each new player an opportunity to claim their spot.

Each of the new members will showcase why they deserve to be a part of the future core. And while they strive to carve out their personal niche on this squad the fan base will get to watch some fun games in preparation for the future.