The Thunder’s preseason roster churn is still pointing in one clear direction: Oklahoma City Blue.
Jaylin Smith, Branden Holifield and Brady Pritchard all spent camp and the preseason with the Thunder, and the expectation is that all three will head to the team’s G League affiliate this fall. Smith got into three preseason games, Holifield played in all five, and Pritchard - who signed his Exhibit 10 deal a week into camp - also appeared in all five.
If they do end up with the Blue and stay there for at least 60 days, each player will earn an Exhibit 10 bonus worth $91K on top of his base NBAGL salary.
Oklahoma City now has 18 players under contract and could, in theory, begin the season with the group it has. That said, more movement still looks likely before Monday’s roster cutdown deadline. At minimum, the Thunder seem likely to either waive camp invitee Christoph Tilly or convert him to a two-way contract.
Elsewhere around the league, Toronto added former Cincinnati guard Jalen Celestine on an Exhibit 10 contract, according to a tweet from Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca. Celestine, a Canadian who went undrafted in June, spent July with the Raptors’ Summer League team. Over five college seasons at Cal, Baylor and Cincinnati, he shot 38.9% from three.
San Antonio also made a camp-cut move, waiving guard Jon Elmore, per NBA.com’s transaction log. Elmore came in on an Exhibit 10 deal and played four preseason games, but the line was thin: five points, six assists and a 2-of-8 shooting mark in 38 minutes. His likely next stop is the Austin Spurs, the organization’s G League team.
The Kings quickly moved on from center David Muoka after signing him to an Exhibit 10 contract, placing him on waivers shortly thereafter, according to NBA.com. Muoka spent last season with the Long Island Nets in the G League, where he averaged 5.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 block in 17.7 minutes across 45 games. Sacramento had already acquired his returning rights from Long Island in a trade earlier this month.
And in Dallas, the Mavericks followed the same script with Guillermo Diaz Graham after doing it with his twin brother Jorge Diaz Graham. The team signed and waived Guillermo on Friday, the club announced, and both brothers are expected to start the season with the Texas Legends in the G League.
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Still, the 122-120 loss also put some of the rotation uncertainties back in view. Jakob Poeltl had a rough defensive night against Karl-Anthony Towns, and Dalano Banton never found his shot, leaving the Raptors with more to think about as they narrow things down for the start of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Scottie Barnes Keeps Fueling A Raptors Debate That Really Matters
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The issue, as always, is the middle of the game. Barnes looked more passive in the second and third quarters before turning assertive again when it mattered most, and that uneven rhythm is at the heart of the debate around him. Toronto does not just need flashes of aggression from its best young player. It needs that pressure applied more consistently, because when Barnes keeps his foot on the gas, the Raptors look like a team with a much higher ceiling. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Fringe Players Get One Last Shot To Change The Roster
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Isaac Bonga Graves missed the previous game because of a groin injury, but he could see more floor time here if he is available. The real competition, though, is for the two open two-way contract slots, with Tyreke Evans, Namari Burnett and Jamarion Sharp all in the mix. Sharp, in particular, should get a chance to show what he can offer at center, and the Raptors still have some sorting out to do before the preseason closes. [Read more 🡒]