Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 goals for Hamidou Diallo's rookie season

Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 goals for Hamidou Diallo’s rookie season

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Hamidou Diallo #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Avoid injuries

Diallo has a chance to earn playing time on one of the teams in the Western Conference that expects to fight for playoff positioning, so it’s important to avoid injuries.

Diallo is a rookie that will need time to develop. The Thunder are putting him on the roster even though he is a second round pick, which is something they do not typically do. Getting injured would be a big blow to his potential to establish himself in the rotation.

The Thunder are going to be without Russell Westbrook and Andre Roberson for a while at the beginning of the season, so they will need as many long and athletic bodies as possible.

Any player’s should be to avoid injuries, but for a second round rookie player entering his first season with a playoff contender, it’s especially important.

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