Behind Shay Gilgos Alexander’s all-star campaign, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been surprisingly competitive this season. Here are three players who likely won’t return, as the Thunder look to improve this offseason.
The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2022-23 season with low expectations.
However, point guard Shay Gilgos Alexander put the team on its back. He averaged 31.4 points, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks. Additionally, he ranks fifth in the NBA in VORP (5.6). Behind SGA, the Thunder finished with a 40-42 record and made the runs.
Now, the Thunder is set to become a playoff contender. Chet Holmgren will return next season. With a slew of draft picks and plenty of space, the front office can make big moves this summer, but with only 15 roster spots available, some players won’t be coming back.
Thunder who won’t return next season: 3. Jared Butler
The NBA team only has 15 spots on the list. This is a tough limitation for the franchise, and it’s armed with a deep pool of young players with potential.
At the moment, the roster includes five players capable of playing point guard (Gilgeous-Alexader, Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, Jalen Williams and Jared Butler). Plus, they have three picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. So, adding another point guard isn’t out of the question.
SGA, Giddey, and Williams are the staples. This leaves Mann and Butler as odd men. Mann was a 2021 first-round pick, while Butler was on a two-way contract. So, Butler is the logical departure.
In limited action, he played very well. In six games, he averaged 6.2 points, 1.3 assists and 0.8 steals in 12.8 minutes per game, while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3.
Butler is an NBA player, but he’ll face an uphill battle to make Oklahoma City’s deep roster. A restricted free agent may find a new home this summer, too.