OKC Thunder: 3 restricted free agents to consider pursuing

OKC Thunder target No. 3) Lonzo Ball

In today’s game, having a top-tier point guard in tow is of the utmost importance for every legitimate title-contending team (unless, of course, you have a LeBron James at your disposal).

While some would argue the OKC Thunder may already have one in the making in SGA, other would argue that he’s best served at the two, thus leaving the potential to add on a legitimate one open this offseason.

While there are a few players that will presumably be available during this coming draft that project to be future stars at the position (Ex. Cade Cunningham, Jalen Suggs), should Sam Presti miss out on one/ both of them or, instead, look to add someone at a different position (Ex. Evan Mobley, Jalen Green) the team could, in theory, look to the free agency market to snag an upgraded talent at the one.

Should they go this route, we see no better option than New Orleans Pelicans guard, Lonzo Ball.

Frequently throughout this year, we’ve discussed how well the fourth-year talent would fit in with the Thunder’s current core and their specific scheme that longs to emphasize positionless basketball.

Just like the other players found on this list, Ball is still quite young (23), thus making him a player capable of growing alongside Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the years to come.

In the midst of arguably the best season of his career, the point guard is putting up impressive all-around averages of 14 points, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and over a half-block per game on 42 percent shooting from the floor and 37 percent shooting from deep.

Similar to Ntilikina, he fits the build Presti covets in a player (long and lanky at 6-6 with a 6-9 wingspan) though, unlike Ntilikina, the man’s proven himself to be a solid starter in this league and, to go a step further, has even been tabbed as having the highest basketball IQ in the game today by Magic Johnson himself.

Already viewed as a top-landing spot for the young talent this coming offseason, the OKC Thunder pursuing Lonzo Ball is a real possibility, and we at TI are excited to see how this storyline plays out.