3 players the OKC Thunder signed past their prime

Potentially the worst free-agent contract in OKC Thunder history

While Kyle Singler is the worst contract in OKC Thunder history, it was an extension; Patrick Patterson is the worst free agent signing in team history.

Believe it or not, the Oklahoma City Thunder had high hopes for the former Kentucky big man. When the Thunder signed him in the Summer of 2017, they still played annual Blue and White scrimmages at local high schools where Patterson ripped the nets. Finally! A three-point shooter! Thunder fans rejoiced…then, the second season started.

Before signing in Oklahoma City, Patrick Patterson appeared to be the perfect role player; while he can start in a pinch, his rebounding and floor spacing ability made for the perfect power forward as the NBA was shifting to the modern era.

In his first season in Bricktown, Patterson actually turned in his second-best three-point shooting season, stroking it at a 38 percent clip. According to Synergy, he was a very good defender, only allowing 0.8 points per possession, and was seemingly on the right track. However, there are a few timely misses and what came in year two, and you have an entirely new discourse around Patterson.

Patrick Patterson’s second season as a member of the OKC Thunder was dreadful. Patterson shot the worst percentage of his career from distance (33 percent), was a traffic cone defensively, and just could not seem to positively impact games.

That three-year pact quickly turned into the worst the team has ever signed on the free agent market, leading the Thunder to waive Patterson prior to his third season in Bricktown, eating some dead money in the process.

While Patrick Patterson’s prime was not at an All-Star level like Caron Butler, they expected a lot more out of the power forward.