OKC Thunder: Las Vegas Summer League Checklist

Following a 2-1 conclusion to the Utah Summer League, the Oklahoma City Thunder stroll into the Las Vegas circuit pink scorching with a bevy of high choices.

However, even with the franchise’s big-time success, they’re nonetheless stoned but to be unturned throughout the roster and rotation. Sin City could assist so as to add some readability.

Here are some high issues the Thunder ought to prioritize in Las Vegas:

Continue to Play off Chet

Chet Holmgren made his presence identified from the get-go in Utah. From a 13-point first body to a stat line of 23 factors, six blocks, and 4 made threes – the 20-year-old set the precedent for different rookies in his class.

To this level, Holmgren’s major jolt of offense has resulted from high-ball screens on the high of the important thing and scoring off stopping and popping on the timeline. There is nothing improper with this recipe. In reality, I’d say these two components will seamlessly transition to regular-season play.

With the Thunder capturing a mere 30.2% from deep in Utah, permitting Holmgren to house the ground on screens will add a significant ripple all through the roster – giving potential groups complications within the course of.

Play Jalen Williams On-Ball

Jalen Williams was a Top 5 participant out of the Utah circuit, nevertheless, many had him fully off the radar. Despite averaging 13.3 factors and capturing 4-of-5 on threes, the 21-year-old stored a comparatively quiet profile as he thrived on off-ball cuts and catch-and-shoot triples – each areas the Thunder want heavy enchancment in.

Williams arms Oklahoma City the off-ball goal they’ve yearned for years. But, in faculty, his on-ball play was a significant calling card. With Santa Clara final season, Williams averaged 4.2 assists, primarily making passes out of dribble drives or scoring out of isolation.

While Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren have absorbed the massive slices in on-ball play, Williams must be not too far in line to deal with the basketball – particularly if Giddey is plucked from the rotation.

Utilize Ousmane Dieng as a Playmaker

Ousmane Dieng was the person of thriller on this 12 months’s lottery. As a 6-foot-10 ahead, Dieng joined the category with alluring potential at age 19, and a few intriguing highlights from his time within the NBL final season.

Dieng struggled in Utah, averaging 7.3 factors on a 26.7% output, nevertheless, there’s some silver lining. While the numbers don’t lie on this case, Dieng thrived on the NBL degree making photographs off the deck – not the catch. With the Thunder’s ball-handling division masking the entire size of Utah, Dieng was pinned to a nook for many of this week, having to play as a catch-and-shoot goal. That’s not a task he’s used to.

In Las Vegas, permitting Dieng to provoke some halfcourt units will give the Thunder each insights into his trajectory and him the on-ball reps he hardly acquired. Due to his 6-foot-10 body, he’s susceptible to make superior cross-court passes or rating out of the pick-and-roll, making him somebody you’d need to check with Holmgren.

Keep Playing Krejci

The Oklahoma City Thunder have already begun their impending roster crunch, most lately waiving ahead Isaiah Roby. While there are nonetheless two months on Sam Presti’s clock, having the ability to consider gamers on the rotational bubble is extraordinarily useful in ironing out their schedule.

Vit Krejci is likely one of the high gamers tip-toeing the Top 15 as regardless of being a 6-foot-8 guard, he could also be exterior the group’s day one rotation. In Utah, Krejci didn’t graze the ground in his debut, nevertheless, he added a prompt the bench in his last two video games, averaging 5.0 factors, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists.

Krejci asserted himself as a ball-handler, creating house for stepbacks and kick-outs to his teammates. As a shooter, his shot has come a good distance from his pre-Thunder days. The 22-year-old has been on the uphill in Utah. Upon the shining Vegas lights, the Thunder must be trying to pad his resume.

Evaluate the Exhibit-10s

While the Oklahoma City Thunder have a plethora of assured gamers headed to Las Vegas, the again finish of the roster has been crammed with coaching camp hopefuls.

Among the batch of Summer League signings, the Thunder added Jaden Shackelford, Gabe Brown, Abdul Gaddy, Robert Baker, and Kevin Kangu to the roster. Collectively, this core noticed six minutes in Utah.

The Thunder’s checklist of priorities ought to begin with evaluating expertise on normal contracts. However, taking a glimpse at Exhibit-10 signings opens the expertise pool even additional, permitting them to uncover some gems to position of their G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. 

Want to affix the dialogue? Like SI Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to remain updated on all the most recent Thunder news. You may also meet the group behind the protection.