With the NBA Draft rapidly approaching the OKC Thunder Vice President of Basketball Operations Sam Presti will have plenty of decisions to make.
As Intentions noted recently one of those moves that made the VP’s job easier was Vasilije Micic returning to his Anadolu Efes club in the Turkish League. Although Micic signed a 3-year extension the Thunder and the guard can elect to shift directions and bring him over sooner. That’s because Micic has a clause in the second and third season of the contract allowing him to opt-out.
While it’s wonderful that OKC has 38 draft picks over the next seven seasons it also presents some issues when it comes to roster construction. Just in this 2021 class alone, the Thunder will make six selections. That represents more than a third of the roster with 15 varsity players plus two 2-way contracts allowed on each team every season.
OKC Thunder could feature Vit Krejci in Summer League
On Sunday, another move was made as the OKC Thunder elected to pay off Vit Krejci’s contract as per Heraldo. Krejci was playing with the Casademont Zaragoza club in Spain as part of the Liga ACB league.
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
The Wizards drafted the guard 37th last season prior to trading him to the Thunder. The 21-year old spent his first four seasons with the Spanish team but was sidelined last year recovering from a torn ACL sustained in September.
Although the team is saying Krejci will be initially playing with the G-League our understanding is the Thunder can’t limit him solely to a two-way deal or just on the OKC Blue. That means he would take up one of the 15 varsity roster spots.
It’s also highly feasible Presti wants to showcase the 6’8″ guard in Summer League play to potentially feature him as trade bait or decipher his fit with the 2021-22 squad.
The timeline fits his current rehabilitation plan which includes full practices in July shifting into five on five in August. With the Summer League set to begin on August 8th, his rehab timeline aligns and it’s a logical assumption the goal will be to include him in Vegas action.