OKC Thunder waive TJ Leaf, Admiral Schofield -1 roster cut to follow

One more roster cut is required prior to season start as OKC Thunder waive T.J. Leaf and Admiral Schofield.

Next week the NBA 2020-21 regular season tips off with two games on Tuesday, December 22nd. The OKC Thunder open their season on the road in Houston on Wednesday. Leading up to the event, teams will be trimming their training camp rosters. Clubs were allowed to have up to 20 players in camp but by season start must trim the roster to 15 varsity and two 2-way contracted players.

Whether James Harden will be in the Rockets lineup is uncertain at this stage as the Beard sweepstakes are heating up. As for the Thunder, new head coach Mark Daigneault made some cuts following the final preseason game – – a close two-point loss to the Bulls.

OKC Thunder waives Leaf and Schofield:

Shortly after the Bulls – Thunder match, the franchise announced they are waiving guard/forward Admiral Schofield and forward T.J. Leaf.  In the 103-105 loss to the Bulls Leaf garnered six minutes on the court (presumably for one last look).

The forward failed to do enough in those minutes taking a single 3-point shot (that he missed) adding two rebounds as well as a block and was a minus -11.

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Leaf didn’t play on Wednesday but did appear in the opening preseason game producing eight points and five rebounds in his 17 minutes on the floor. He hit his one 3-point shot attempt and got to the line going 3 of 3 from the stripe plus led all reserves with a plus +12 plus/minus.

Schofield got early raves in camp from the coach but failed to impress in his two preseason appearances. In the opening match, he went scoreless missing both shot attempts but added two rebounds and an assist in his 18 minutes of playing time. While in the second match he played eight minutes missed his only shot attempt and had one assist.

Leaf was acquired in the trade with the Pacers for Jalen Lecque (as well as a second-round pick). Schofield was included in the draft-night deal with the Wizards to land 37th pick Vit Krejci.

Of the two players, Leaf is a bit of a surprise given how well he played in the initial game, his ability to stretch the floor, and his size for a Thunder team short on depth up front.

This leaves one more cut to be made by Monday to reach the roster maximum of 17 players including the two-way players.