Oklahoma City Thunder: Starting Shooting Guard Options

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May 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha (25) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) in game one of the Western Conference Finals in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

After more than five years of rock solid defense, inconsistent 3-point shooting, and 367 starts, the Oklahoma City Thunder parted ways with swingman Thabo Sefolosha. The 6-foot-5 player from Switzerland was acquired by the Atlanta Hawks after a sign-and-trade with the Thunder.

In the deal, the Thunder gained a $4 million trade exception as well as the rights to Sofoklis Schortsanitis while the Hawks gained rights to Giorgos Printezis, according to The Oklahoman.

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Sefolosha had a good run in Oklahoma City. He was relied on to cover the opposing player’s best wing player and usually did a very good job at it. While on the Thunder, he was widely regarded as one of the premier wing defenders in the NBA. He locked up guys like Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant in a variety of big time games. You could always count on his defense. However, his offense was often mediocre and that is putting lightly.

In five full seasons as a starter, Sefolosha averaged 6.1 points per game while shooting 35.9 percent from beyond the arc. He started for his defensive prowess, but as his tenure on the Thunder progressed his offense regressed and made it hard to keep him on the court.

The nail in the coffin was this year’s playoffs where Scott Brooks had to mess with his rotation because Sefolosha was that bad offensively. He averaged 3.7 points per game on 26.1 percent from 3-point land. His confidence was shaken and throughout the Western Conference Finals with the Spurs you knew Sefolosha’s time in Oklahoma City was quickly coming to an end.

Sefolosha provided a lot for the Thunder in his year’s in Oklahoma City, but with him moved on, who is the next option to start at the shooting guard position?

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