While the Oklahoma City Thunder’s struggles have been considerably overshadowed by an unbelievable leap from their lead guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, issues nonetheless exist. Those points embody the dearth of a constant creator-slash-scorer outdoors of Gilgeous-Alexander and porous perimeter protection.
The Thunder at the moment maintain the 18th-highest offensive ranking within the league, scoring 111.7 factors per 100 possessions. But don’t be fooled. That is simply 1.1 factors higher than the Orlando Magic, who at the moment maintain the sixth-worst offensive ranking.
Yes, the Thunder’s offense has simply been marginally higher than a number of the worst offenses within the league. And that’s after signing Isaiah Joe who has been a godsend when the workforce must put up factors in a rush. The lack of offensive firepower as an entire, although, can be an indication that the workforce lacks the required personnel to constantly churn out buckets.
However, the Thunder have been capable of punch above their weight when taking part in nice protection. Generating steals and blocks and getting out in transition, forward of opposing defenses, has been important and has usually sparked large offensive runs.
But Gilgeous-Alexander can solely give a lot power to the defensive aspect of the ground when he’s already placing in a ton of effort on the offensive aspect. His utilization fee is 33.1% in any case, and on some nights, it’s greater than that. And whereas Giddey is a proficient ball-handler and enhancing scorer at 6-foot-8, he nonetheless offers up manner too many drives resulting from his athletic limitations.
Luguentz Dort is actually one of many league’s higher on-ball defenders, however can’t do it by himself. The different concern is that he simply isn’t that environment friendly of a scorer. He’s a streaky shooter who isn’t a powerful passer and struggles to complete on the rim. And whereas the Thunder do have some up and coming defensive expertise, they’re nonetheless up and coming.
Enter Cam Reddish. No, he’s not going to repair the entire Thunder’s points. And you shouldn’t assume so. But it’s a step in the precise route.
Reddish, at the moment a member of the New York Knicks, is an especially proficient defender. In truth, he’s one in all solely seven gamers underneath the age of 24 who’ve performed a minimum of 150 video games within the final 4 seasons to common over 20 minutes per sport, a steal fee of a minimum of 2.0, and a block fee of 1.4 or higher. That checklist consists of different defensive standouts akin to Jarred Vanderbilt, Tyrese Haliburton, and Anthony Edwards.
The finest side of buying and selling for Reddish is that he’s an affordable goal. His worth has sunk ever since his days at Duke, largely resulting from accidents ensuing within the lack of constant taking part in time. Prior to this yr, the 6-foot-8 ahead had solely performed in 133 video games.
But in spurts, Reddish has been capable of throw up some intriguing offensive numbers in his younger profession. In 49 video games final season, he shot a good 36% from the 3-point line on virtually 4 makes an attempt per sport. He additionally shot over 90% from the free-throw line final yr, indicator of capturing skill. Last yr, Reddish additionally shot 38.9% on 131 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. If final yr was any indication, he is likely to be an incredible goal for Thunder ball-handlers to search for. Just think about Giddey or Gilgeous-Alexander discovering him open on the perimeter.
Another vital quantity to remember is 59.7%. Over his final three seasons, this yr included, Reddish has transformed almost 60% of his 231 area objective makes an attempt within the restricted space. For perspective, Dort is at the moment capturing 53.7% this yr after capturing simply 54.7% final yr. Reddish can end.
And whereas the New York Knicks acquired him from the Atlanta Hawks simply final yr, it seems that Reddish and his camp aren’t completely satisfied within the Big Apple. If Reddish does need out, wing-needy groups needs to be keen to present him a shot.
Given Reddish’s defensive prowess and his offensive potential, he is likely to be the proper buy-low candidate for Oklahoma City. A workforce can by no means have sufficient expertise, or potential, on the wing place in at present’s league. And buying Reddish will surely add to the already proficient steady the Thunder have with Ousmane Dieng, Jalen Williams, Aaron Wiggins, and Dort.
The Thunder have the time and sources to assist Reddish mature his NBA sport. The franchise simply employed legendary capturing coach Chip Engelland, who already appears to be having a optimistic impact on different younger gamers like Josh Giddey and Aleksej Pokusevski. And Head Coach Mark Daigneault is a development-oriented coach who brings a trainer’s mentality to his roster.
And there won’t be a greater time to take a swing on Reddish. He’s within the final yr of his rookie deal, making simply 5.9 million, and can hit restricted free company after this yr. The Thunder’s teaching workers may give him a glance, no strings hooked up, and may have the power to re-sign him to a possible team-friendly deal ought to Reddish impress.
Here is what a deal between Oklahoma City and New York would possibly appear to be:
Thunder get: Cam Reddish
Knicks get: Darius Bazley and the extra favorable of Dallas or Miami’s 2023 second-round decide, and Atlanta’s 2025 second-round decide, protected for alternatives 31-40
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