3 OKC Thunder players who might not return in 2023-24 season

Is it time for the OKC Thunder to give up on a former first-round pick in Tre Mann? Does the carousal move this fast?

Tre Mann was a first-round pick back in the 2021 NBA Draft and quickly became a fan favorite as a rookie. As offense was hard to come by at times for that iteration of the Thunder, Mann was a pure microwave scorer who could get hot at a moment’s notice and fill it up.

As a rookie, Mann averaged ten points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal per game while shooting 39 percent from the floor and 36 percent from beyond the arc in 60 games. His age-20 season was highlighted by that 35-point outing against Boston that featured seven made triples, seven rebounds, and four assists.

Then, Tre Mann struggled in Summer League before having a stellar preseason, where he scored at an effective clip and showed dramatic defensive improvement.

Ultimately, the offense was not sustained. Instead, he regressed in year two. This season, Tre Mann averaged seven points, two rebounds, an assist, and half a steal per game while shooting 39 percent from the floor again but seeing a five percent dip beyond the arc.

Though, Tre Mann has already admitted he needs to improve this summer. Some signs point to a breakout season happening in 2023-24.

Tre Mann is owed all of his 3.1 million dollars in 2023-24, with a club option the next season of 4.9 million dollars. So for him to no longer be rostered by the OKC Thunder, they likely need to work out a trade. While eating 3.1 million dollars is common, especially with the amount of cap space OKC has this summer, working out a trade or keeping Mann around could be more efficient.

His contract situation makes me think he will be in Bricktown in October and banking on a breakout.