Will Tre Mann survive the OKC Thunder Roster Crunch?

The Case against Tre Mann making the team:

Unlike his rookie season, Tre Mann struggled in his second year, especially shooting the ball and on defense. In the 2022-23 season, Mann averaged seven points, two rebounds, and nearly two assists while shooting 39 percent from the field, 31 percent from three, and 76 percent from the free throw line. He also played in 67 games, starting five of them, and averaged 17 minutes per game.

Mann struggled on defense this past season, or “eating his broccoli” as Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault likes to put it. His shot selection wasn’t as good and his playing time went down as the season went on. By the end of the season, he was at the end of the rotation instead of being a sixth or seventh man.

The Thunder signed Vasilije Micic this offseason and drafted Cason Wallace 10th overall. Both players play the same position as Mann and are going to be ahead of him in the rotation this season.

It is hard to see him get meaningful minutes on this team and if he continues to struggle defensively, then his floor as a prospect is low.

Considering the expectations for the team this year, the question has to be asked whether he can improve enough defensively to grant a roster or if another player on the bubble deserves the roster spot more.