Apr 6, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared Butler (14) warms up before a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Behind an All-Star campaign by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder were surprisingly competitive this season. Here are three players who likely will not be back, as the Thunder look to improve this offseason.
The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2022-23 season with low expectations.
However, point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put the team on his back. He averaged 31.4 points, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks. In addition, he finished fifth in the NBA in VORP (5.6). Behind SGA, the Thunder finished with a 40-42 record and made the play-in.
Now, the Thunder are set up to become playoff contenders. Chet Holmgren will return next season. With a plethora of draft picks and cap space, the front office could make big moves this summer, but with only 15 roster spots available, some players will not be back.
Thunder who won’t be back next season: 3. Jared Butler
An NBA team has only 15 roster spots. That is a difficult limitation for the franchise, which is armed with a deep collection 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). In addition, they have three picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. So, adding another point guard is not out of the question.
SGA, Giddey, and Williams are core pieces. That leaves Mann and Butler as the odd men out. 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 did play very well. In six games, he averaged 6.2 points, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 steals across 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 will face an uphill battle to make Oklahoma City’s deep roster. The restricted free agent may find a new home this summer, as well.