Участник:Oklahoma City Thunder pick their squad late.
According to Shams Karania of The Athletic, Oklahoma City is releasing Alexei Pokusevski (forward, 213 cm, 95 kg).
Oklahoma City is currently full of 15 players. He added experience by organizing its squad ahead of the trade deadline. He sent out players other than his previous capacity and brought in Gordon Hayward. He even strengthened his inner capability by embracing Bismack Bjombo, who is still in the transfer market.
However, he decided to release Pocusevski this time. Because he had seen his limits during the season. With his rookie contract expiring at the end of this season, Oklahoma City also decided not to join him. With his tall stature as 7 feet, he was expected to provide Oklahoma City with height. However, he failed to survive due to his obvious weakness in defense and lack of movement.
The Serbian native entered the NBA through the last 2020 draft. He was called upon by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the No. 17 pick in the first round. Trading immediately after his nomination, he played his way back and forth between the starting lineup and the bench for the first three seasons. As a rookie, he averaged 8.2 points in 45 games during the 2020-2021 season. He didn't play many games last season, but he showed promise.
However, this season has been a problem. He averaged 7.9 points over the first three seasons, but he didn't even get a seat this season. Chet Holmgren's debut announced his big break, which greatly reduced his standing. He made only 10 appearances, playing six minutes per game, and was only 1.2 points (.250.182.500) in one rebound. As bad as his shot success rate was, Oklahoma City couldn't be more patient, either.
For reference, Josh Green (Dallas), Sadic Bay (Atlanta), Precious Achiuwa (New York), and Tyreece Maxi (Philadelphia) were named after him at the time of the draft. Bay and Achiuwa moved teams, but settled down in their own positions. However, Pocusevski was released during the season, let alone contract extension, which left some regrets.
He is still in his early 20s, so he is not small in value as a promising player, but it is questionable how long he will be able to survive in the NBA. He has large stature and long arms, but is quite vulnerable to physical struggle. Not only is he thin in general, but he also has little weight despite being a big man, so he has not shown any clear strength in defense or rebound control.
Crucially, considering that Holmgren is also somewhat thin, Pocusevski's value, which can be considered relatively in the same type, is at least not great in Oklahoma City. As the deadline passed, he was released in a surprise move. He could have re-signed after the season, but Oklahoma City did not hesitate to arrange a deal with him.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City has been attempting to win the championship this season, going beyond completing its reconstruction. It has been ranked at the top of the Western Conference from early to mid-season. It has 38 wins and 17 losses so far this season, ranking second in the conference. It is currently only one game ahead of Minnesota, which ranks first in the conference. It has outpaced the Los Angeles Clippers in its first game of the second half of the season, winning three consecutive games.