Player that needs to step up on OKC Thunder No. 3) Luguentz Dort
Last but certainly not least, we see the likes of 3-and-D extraordinaire, Luguentz Dort.
Though the sophomore shooting guard is finding himself boasting impressive averages of 12.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and just shy of a steal per game on 43 percent shooting from the floor and 38 percent shooting from deep on the season, of late he’s found himself in a bit of a slump.
Since Hill has been out, Dort has been averaging just 9.5 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 turnovers per game on a lowly 28 percent shooting from deep.
During this span, the Thunder have gone 2-2, and, frankly, in just one of those games did the 21-year-old play up to his potential (the January 27th game against Phoenix where he put up 14 points and a block on 50 percent shooting from deep).
Now look, of course we’re not saying Lu Dort’s long-term prospects have changed — we believe he’s an up-and-coming two-way player in this league who will be a fixture in OKC’s rotation for years to come.
That said, in lieu of George Hill’s absence, who has been the team’s second-best long-range sniper this season, Oklahoma City needs some shooters to step up and fill in for his absence from downtown.
Hopefully, Lu Dort serves as such a substitute and snaps out of his funk.
Should this happen, the team should be in good shape moving forward.