OKC Thunder: How Bazley can contribute to team-wide goals

OKC Thunder forward Darius Bazley has been working hard this off-season, you can check out his workout videos on his Instagram and you will see the type of content that makes all fans hopeful for the season ahead.

While Bazley is steadily working hard in the gym these days, Intentions takes a look at how the 21-year-old wing can contribute to the Thunder’s goals this coming season.

3 ways OKC Thunder forward Darius Bazley can contribute to team-wide goals

Defensive Identity

Bazley didn’t take the huge leap that many had hoped for last season offensively, but he was still developing his game in other ways. Bazley was often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s larger threats such as Anthony Davis and Giannis Antentokounmpo and other bigs of the league.

The former New Balance intern even spent portions of games playing the center position. This often ended with Bazley being put in the goal. Yet it also resulted in a lot of defensive growth, as he learned to use his 7-foot wingspan to disrupt interior offenses.

Bazley could become a player who could comfortably defend wings and centers by the end of the year. If Coach Mark Daigneault wishes to use Bazley in a similar fashion this year, a young defensive core of Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Roby, and Darius Bazley could help recreate some of the Thunder defense that OKC used to be known for.

Wing offense

The area that Bazley initially showed promise was attacking from the wing. His speed and athleticism meant he could get to the rim with relative ease. Additionally, his jump shot looked reliable enough to provide a three-point outlet.

Unfortunately, when Bazley’s shot volume increased last year, his efficiency did not (29 percent from three on 5.2 attempts per game). Bazley wound up as a spot-up corner shooter last year for many possessions which don’t seem to fit his style at all.

Last year OKC ranked 13th for three-point attempt rate but 29th in percentage. Eerily similar to Bazley’s own shot profile, high volume but low hit rate. This coming season, Bazley’s in and out game will develop further if we put stock into the workout videos. If he can turn around the jump shots and start converting them again this would help space the floor and enable the guards to operate with more breathing room.

Playmaking

Coming into the league, Bazley was touted as a willing passer in his draft profiles, but since arriving at Oklahoma he has looked to be more of a pure scorer type of player. Bazley does not have to be a passing savant.

Especially with Shai Gilgeuous-Alexander, Theo Maledon, and now Josh Giddey available to handle the bulk of the playmaking. To enable the ball movement strategy the Thunder is edging towards, the basketball can’t get stuck in Bazley’s hands anymore.

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 league’s best wings still create chances for others from time to time, and if Bazley is to be a part of the OKC Thunder future core he needs to show more flashes of his passing and vision. Between Bazley and Aleksej Pokusevski, Bazley is falling behind in this category. Getting him out of the corners will help his development as an all-around forward and for the team.

The name of the game this year for OKC is development. Bazley is only 21, he has plenty of time and room to grow into a serviceable wing in the NBA.

The OKC Thunder are still in the sifting and sorting phase of the rebuild, seeing what pieces will make it for the future. If Bazley can contribute at the level the whole franchise believes he can, this year will be a step in the right direction for him.