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Oklahoma City Thunder: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) react at the end of the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) react at the end of the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oklahoma City Thunder
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Adding Abrines

With roster spots suddenly open in the wake of KD’s departure and hardly any quality free agents left on the market to fill them, the Thunder turned to their 32nd overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Alex Abrines.

A 6’6″ shooting guard who has spent the last three years playing for FC Barcelona, Abrines is a three-point marksman who shot 41.7 percent from downtown and won the Euroleague Rising Star award last season.

It’ll take a $2.2 million buyout to get him out of his contract with Barcelona (and the Thunder can only contribute $650,000), but he’ll be properly compensated with his three-year, $18 million contract from OKC.

Though he needs to improve defensively and get a bit stronger to keep up with NBA athletes, Abrines signaled the end of the Dion Waiters era — if the Oladipo trade hadn’t already done that — and provides the Thunder with a young, 23-year-old reserve to groom.

Grade: B+

Next: The Price Is Right

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