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OKC Thunder: Roster battles to watch this preseason

By Rylan Stiles

Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks is defended by Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks is defended by Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers is recognized during a senior day ceremony before the start of a game against the Louisville Cardinals at John Paul Jones Arena on March 7, 2020, in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Mamadi Diakite’s fit with the OKC Thunder

Mamadi Diakite fits what the OKC Thunder are attempting to do, as a 6’9 center that can play the passing lanes, switch on defense, fight for rebounds, and has an outside chance to stretch the floor given how well he shoots from the free-throw line, at just 24 years old, Diakite made himself a fan favorite with the Bucks despite playing just fourteen games.

After winning a title with Ty Jerome at the University of Virginia, an NBA Championship a year ago as a rookie, Diakite is now looking for a permanent NBA home. Could it be with Oklahoma City? It will be a difficult battle due to the roster crunch. To save Diakite, you have to release someone else.

Related Story. OKC Thunder waive Charlie Brown Jr, claim Mamadi Diakite. light

It makes the most sense that OKC is comfortable eating the 1.5 and 1.7 million dollars that are only partially guaranteed on Diakite’s deal, hoping to send him to the OKC Blue, while getting a better practice player than Brown for the roster construction.

The OKC Thunder already had a plethora of guards, in training camp as you practice six straight days before the first time and continue to practice up until the season opener nearly daily, you need a lot of camp bodies and before this move, they did not have many bigs on the roster.

What does the OKC Thunder roster bubble look like?

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