Oklahoma City Thunder: Complete 2016 Offseason Grades

Oklahoma City Thunder: 2016 Offseason Grades

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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Apr 7, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Ronnie Price (14) brings the ball up the court during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

The Price Is Right

With Randy Foye gone and Cameron Payne still on the up-and-up, the Thunder signed veteran point guard Ronnie Price to a two-year, $5 million deal for a bit of backcourt stability.

Payne disappearing from Billy Donovan‘s rotation was a puzzling development last year, and it came back to haunt the Thunder in the playoffs for a few disastrous stretches when the Thunder rookie was virtually unplayable.

Hopefully Payne gets more opportunities for growth in 2016-17, but if he crumbles under the pressure again in the playoffs, OKC can turn to a more seasoned hand in Price, an underrated addition if only for his positive locker room influence and defensive intensity.

Last season in Phoenix, Price averaged only 5.3 points and 2.4 assists per game, but his impact extended far beyond the stat sheet. More encouragingly for the Thunder, he shot a career-high 34.7 percent from three-point range, provided a positive example for the younger Suns and consistently brought energy and effort.

He’s not a flashy addition, but there’s a reason Price is an 11-year veteran. The Thunder won’t be competing for a championship next season, but Price can bolster their depth and help foster a new culture in OKC.

Grade: B-

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