What to watch for in OKC Thunder preseason finale in Tulsa

The OKC Thunder will play their fifth and final NBA Preseason game on Thursday in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Thunder will act as the road team, even busing to the game as a team college basketball style.

As the OKC Thunder head an hour and a half up the road to connect with the northeast part of the state, some interesting storylines remain to follow in the final preseason tune-up.

The OKC Thunder wrap up their preseason slate with a clash in Tulsa against the Pistons.

To this point in the preseason, the OKC Thunder are 2-2, but the record is not what is important. Throughout the exhibition slate the Thunder have shown how great their potential is for this season, especially when their young core plays.

Tonight, it is unclear who all will play and for how long – We will not know that until around 5 p.m. when Mark Daigneault addresses the media – Though we do know Jaylin Williams (Hamstring) and Aleksej Pokusevski (Ankle) are out. It seems unlikely that Cason Wallace (Toe) or Kenrich Williams (Back) will play. However, it is not impossible—especially for Wallace, who is only tabbed as day-to-day. We will wait for official confirmation from the OKC Thunder bench boss at the arena.

What to Watch for: 

Olivier Sarr: 

With Jaylin Williams shelved for at least two weeks before he is re-evaluated, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl residing in Houston, and no firm timetable on Kenrich Williams, who played effective small-ball five, the OKC Thunder’s frontcourt depth is extremely shallow.

It will come down to Olivier Sarr, who Mark Daigneault has made a point to note that the organization trusts in this role. On Tuesday against the Bucks, Sarr played some of his best basketball, including lineups with Chet Holmgren.

Tre Mann: 

The OKC Thunder still have to waive a standard NBA contract ahead of the 2023-24 season; with the deadline looming, Tre Mann finds himself on the roster bubble. While his scoring potential is off the charts, Mann still has to put it all together.

This is another chance for Tre Mann to showcase himself not only to the OKC Thunder but the rest of the NBA as a contingency plan.

Jack White: 

Similar to Tre Mann, Jack White finds himself on the roster bubble, starring down the barrel of being the odd man out in Bricktown. The two-year pact he signed just weeks ago in Free Agency does not provide him any security in making the team. Sam Presti is no stranger to waiving free agents before they play a regular season minute for the Thunder.

While White has been as expected at training camp and in the preseason, can he make a statement in the final preseason tilt and solidify his roster spot?