Darius Bazley has a number of eyes on him this season.Â
There are a number of causes. The largest being it’s a contract 12 months for the younger Thunder ahead.
The 22-year-old has accomplished three of his 4 years on his present contract. This season, he’s owed somewhat over $4 million.
After this season, nevertheless, he’s slated to be a restricted free agent with a qualifying supply value greater than $6 million.
Bazley has been via some highs and lows throughout his three seasons in OKC.
He’s performed in 185 video games whereas beginning 117 for the Thunder in his three seasons. Last season was extra turbulent for him than 12 months two along with his transfer to a bench function.
In the 2020-21 season, he began all 55 video games he performed in. Last season, he began in 53 of the 69 video games he appeared in.
Some of his numbers took a dip, as could be anticipated within the function change. However, to earn a brand new contract, Bazley might have to play extra like his second-season self to earn an extension.
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Bazley shot 42.2% from the sector final season, his greatest clip of his profession. His 3-point shot hasn’t developed an excessive amount of in his profession. In his rookie season, he posted a 34.8% clip from past the arc, and that quantity has dropped since. Last season, he shot 29.7% from 3-point vary on just below 4 makes an attempt per recreation.
A serious plus to his recreation is his rebounding capacity; he averages 5.8 for his profession and logged 6.3 per recreation final season, together with one per recreation offensively, probably the most in his profession.
While the offensive rebounding quantity doesn’t appear enormous, any offensive rebounding helps for a Thunder group in search of any approach to seize the benefit over extra veteran groups.
Bazley additionally helps on the defensive finish. His lengthy arms and body helped him notch a profession excessive with blocks and steals per recreation. He posted a block and 0.8 steals per recreation final season.
If he can hold producing these numbers and even approve these numbers, his struggle for a brand new contract could possibly be made simpler.
If Bazley can proceed averaging 10-14 factors per recreation, whereas persevering with to enhance his discipline aim proportion and seize 5-7 rebounds per recreation, he may earn his means into a brand new contract for the long run.Â
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