Thunder may already be regretting Dillon Jones trade after recent surge

Just days after taking home the franchise's first NBA Championship since 1979, the OKC Thunder opted to cap Dillon Jones' tenure with the organization at just one year, as he was traded to the Washington Wizards on June 28.

While he may not have been all that consistent of a participant throughout the club's title-winning campaign, seeing a large chunk of his rookie season spent in the development league, the former Weber State product was still viewed as an intriguing, high-upside prospect for Oklahoma City.

In fact, just to attain his services in the 2024 NBA Draft, Sam Presti and company willingly coughed up a whopping five future second-round picks to the New York Knicks for his rights directly after being selected 26 overall on the night.

Unfortunately, due to salary cap concerns and a need to open up a roster spot for their newest first-round selection, Thomas Sorber, the Thunder made the decision to prematurely move on from Jones this offseason.

While it may only be Summer League, it seems that the forward is already relishing in his fresh start environment, and is even drawing the attention from some of Oklahoma City's top stars with his recent production.

Dillon Jones' Summer League breakout highlights upside Thunder saw

After getting eased into the Wizards' scheme during the first few games of Summer League play, Jones has recently found himself being utilized as a focal point within head coach J.J. Outlaw's system.

Over his last two outings, the 23-year-old has specifically shown off his craftiness as a scorer and astounding versatility on the defensive end, dropping impressive all-around averages of 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while shooting 48.0 percent from the field in roughly 27 minutes a night.

In Washington's most recent matchup against the Knicks, he found himself putting on an absolute clinic by posting 25 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block en route to a hard-fought 94-85 win.

Some may be viewing this particular breakout as a sign that Jones could finally be ready to take a significant leap come the 2025-26 regular season.

Others, such as Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have suggested that his performance is not necessarily an indication of major improvements to his game this summer, but merely a result of him finally getting opportune playing time after a year of relative inactivity.

Despite the shockwaves being created following the youngster's latest eruption, for Oklahoma City fans, his potential to contribute at a high level, especially when given extended run, has been well known.

Though he may have averaged just 10.2 minutes a game last season, there were a number of instances throughout his rookie year that provided glimpses at the type of player Jones can be if ever given an opportunity.

Be it his 12 point outing on 83.3 percent shooting from the floor in one of his earliest experiences logging double-digit minutes in the league against Dallas or him averaging 10.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals on 57.1 percent shooting from the floor and 60.0 percent shooting from deep during Oklahoma City's final two games of the season, there were already many signs that suggested Jones could be a more than capable two-way player when given respectable minutes.

With his outburst against New York on Saturday, however, this belief in his potential has now expanded beyond OKC and out to the D.C. area.

While this may be exciting for Wizards fans, Dillon Jones' recent play might have the Thunder questioning whether they actually made the right decision to part ways with the former first-rounder over someone like, say, Ousmane Dieng instead.