Nearing the finish of his rookie deal, Darius Bazley isn’t getting a lot taking part in time in Oklahoma City today. After spending his first three seasons going by what could be described as a trial-and-error course of on the courtroom in an try to develop his recreation, the former first-round decide has performed simply 280 minutes by 25 video games.
Bazley doubtless isn’t getting any taking part in time as a result of he simply hasn’t taken any tangible, significant steps ahead along with his offensive recreation. Sure, he’s added muscle, seems greater, and is defending higher in consequence, however he nonetheless exhibits the identical points as he did in his rookie season. The 6-foot-9 ahead struggles to make pictures, and make choices and simply isn’t in a position to deal with the ball the method the Thunder would most likely like.
Since drafting the bouncy prospect, Oklahoma City has acquired a number of sizeable ahead, or facilities, that play the identical place as Bazley and arguably have extra all-around talent. That record consists of Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, Aleksej Pokusevski, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Not to say, the Thunder even have a couple of middle and “small-ball” middle initiatives brewing in the G League.
This begs the query, “Why don’t the Thunder trade Bazley?” After all, if the Thunder aren’t going to offer him constant minutes and permit him to proceed to work by his ups and downs, what’s the level of maintaining him on the roster?
This yr, the 6-foot-9 athlete is ready to make 4.3 million after which will develop into a restricted free agent in the offseason. NBA groups round the league seeking to take a flier on Bazley may have an opportunity to signal him to a four-year contract. Oklahoma City may have the proper to match in the occasion that Bazley convinces General Manager Sam Presti to take action.
But given the lack of minutes this yr and the lack of offensive improvement over the course of three-plus seasons, Presti may already be seeking to transfer on. Doing so would enable the Thunder to hunt a small return by way of the commerce marketplace for the 22-year-old.
Trading Bazley might realistically internet not less than a second-round draft decide or lead to the Thunder not taking any gamers or wage again or a combination of each. Or the entrance workplace might resolve to bundle their mercurial challenge with different property in an try to land a greater prospect or participant.
Whatever may occur, it appears that evidently a deal involving Bazley earlier than the commerce deadline makes the most sense. It would enable the Thunder to chop a possible and sure loss and pivot in a unique path, one that enables the franchise to maximise improvement and alternatives throughout their rebuild.
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