OKC Thunder: Rashwan Thomas is a good two-way contract option

With subpar play at the backup power forward position, the OKC Thunder should look Rashawn Thomas’ way for more offense.

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed Deonte Burton to a two-way contract on July 8. A team is allowed to have two players signed to two-way contracts. With the other two-way contract, the OKC Thunder could use more offense from the backup 4-spot.

Jerami Grant was the option over Carmelo Anthony last year late in the season. Even though he is not a good offensive threat, his versatility and his effectiveness in the offense makes him a good option to start, especially with Melo supposedly on the way out.

Patrick Patterson had a disappointing season last year. He was not as effective from the 3-point line as the Thunder would have wanted.

Signing Rashawn Thomas would be a good option to create a positional battle with Patrick Patterson. It would be Thomas’ face-up post game against Patterson’s ability to spread the floor with his 3-point shooting.

You can argue that Patterson fits the Thunder’s system better, but if he is not able to make his 3s, then he is hurting the offense more than he’s helping it.

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In college, Thomas never averaged less than double-digit scoring, posting 22.5 points per game in his senior season. He averaged 14.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in five NBA Summer League games. In the G League last year, he averaged 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

Patrick Patterson has only averaged double-digit scoring once in his NBA career. That was during the 2012-13 season, when he played for the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings.

It’s time to give Rashawn Thomas a chance to make an impact in the NBA. He has dominated in every level except the NBA.

Thomas is a more traditional 4 with face-up capability. For a team that needed more offense in the second unit, he will help them tremendously. In the half-court is where he will shine.

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The Thunder do not have anybody on their bench that is able to create their own offense and put the ball on the floor except for point guard Raymond Felton. That is why Deonte Burton is on the team now. Thomas should be next to shore up the frontcourt.

OKC was 29th in the league in bench scoring with 26.4 points per game last year. More offense is needed from the second unit and with minimal cap space, the Thunder will have be creative in finding options.

Having players that can create offense is key to having a good half-court team. Having shooters is key also, but you have to have a playmaker that can put the ball on the floor and help them get open.

One of the big problems with the Thunder’s offense last year was how the ball used to stick in the starting lineup. That is why Jerami Grant was re-signed and will be starting in Melo’s place.

Also, the Thunder have shooters in Alex Abrines and newly drafted Devon Hall who will be called on to solidify lineups that the Thunder create. Shot-creators in Devonte Burton and Rashawn Thomas would help the second unit flow on offense in the half-court.

Thomas has the ability to play defense. He is a great two-way player, averaging 1.5 steals per game in the G League and 1.3 steals per game in Summer League. He will fit in with a team like the Thunder, who were the top team in the league in steals and deflections last year.

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With his two-way ability and the need for a backup power forward on the roster, the Thunder should look at having Rashawn Thomas on the roster to battle Patrick Patterson for the backup 4 spot.

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