OKC Thunder: Gabriel Deck role with 2021-22 squad

It’s almost that time again Thunder Nation!  On Monday, September 27th the OKC Thunder will conduct their annual Media Day with several new players making their podium debut. On Tuesday,  September 28th, head coach Mark Daigneault and his staff will begin the 2021-22 training camp.

As of this posting the team is set to bring in 18 players to camp including 16 vying for a varsity position and the two players signed to two-way contracts (Aaron Wiggins, Paul Watson). Sam Presti could add another two players as every NBA team can bring in 20 players to camp. While we haven’t heard anything definitively it is something the Thunder have taken advantage of in previous seasons.

One reason why the VP may elect to stick with fewer bodies this season is that there are so many youngsters on the club and Daigneault may want to get them all as much playing time in camp as possible to figure out where they fit and which lineups function together best.

As Presti noted in his Media session yesterday, the pandemic hasn’t afforded the club an opportunity to hold as many practice sessions which is essential to developing talent, particularly a young roster.

OKC Thunder welcomes Gabriel Deck back from overseas

One surprise addition is 6’8″ forward Gabriel Deck who returns from time spent overseas to rejoin the club. Deck participated in the Olympics with his national Argentinian team.

At the beginning of August, Rylan Stiles reported Deck had returned overseas with the belief being his intentions were to rejoin his Euro-League squad (Real Madrid). Therefore, his return to Oklahoma City was a bit of a surprise.

Last season, the forward played in 10 games for the OKC Thunder posting averages of 8.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.8 steals in 21.2 minutes.

Although the wing provided a bit of everything from his toolbox and shot the ball well from the mid-range (57.7%) and the charity stripe (81.8%) he struggled from the perimeter (13.3%).

The Thunder signed Deck to a three-year partially guaranteed deal that could net him $11 million.  He’s guaranteed $3,676,852 this season as of January 10th, 2022 while the team has an option on his 2022-23 salary with a deadline of June 30th, 2023.

It did seem unlikely the Thunder wouldn’t have the forward return for this season given the lack of veterans on the team and the hoops they jumped through to get him in the first place. With him back in OKC, it would make sense he’ll be utilized as a mentor to help several youngsters develop their full range of assets. Deck can play several positions particularly on the offensive end of the hardcourt and is a quality playmaker.

Expect Deck to spend time helping to develop Darius Bazley, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Isaiah Roby in particular as Daigneault attempts to get his bigs more entrenched in the positionless system and improve their passing.