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Buy or Sell: Which OKC Thunder free agents should stay?

By Ryan Love

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nerlens Noel #9 celebrate after defeating the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nerlens Noel #9 celebrate after defeating the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder (Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images)
OKC Thunder (Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images) /

Should the OKC Thunder Buy or Sell: Hamidou Diallo

The Oklahoma City Thunder drafted a lightning bolt when they picked Hamidou Diallo in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft.

Diallo, 21, has since made a name for himself as a high-flying, high-energy player that every team would want coming off of their bench.

In his rookie year, Diallo burst onto the scene when he won the 2019 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

During his rookie year, he failed to become a regular part of the team’s formula for winning — something he turned around last season.

Diallo averaged 6.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.8 steals in 19.5 minutes per game last season.

After Russell Westbrook’s departure, there was a gap to fill for the Thunder as far as finding a player of that level of explosiveness.

Diallo isn’t Westbrook by any means, but shifting most of his playing time last season off the ball worked wonders for finding his role in the offense, allowing him to take further advantage of his athleticism and explosiveness.

At his age and price — a club option for $1.6 million — Diallo is a steal that could find a long-term role on the team going forward with more playing time.

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OKC Thunder Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
OKC Thunder Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /

Should the OKC Thunder Buy or Sell: Deonte Burton

Deonte Burton found a small role with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018.

Since then, Burton hasn’t shown much improvement on the court — and hasn’t looked to mesh with the team off the court.

In December, the Thunder suspended Burton for one game following a “locker room altercation.”

His punishment continued when he was assigned to the G-League shortly after.

On one of the most steady and wholesome Chris Paul-led teams there have been, Burton managed to be the only locker room disturbance to be reported.

On the court, he’s averaged 2.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 8.4 minutes per game in two seasons with the Thunder.

Without a history of on-the-court production, Burton’s age and off-court issue don’t make him worth the investment or roster spot.

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