5 roster moves the Oklahoma City Thunder need to make this offseason

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 10: Derrick Favors #15, Luguentz Dort #5, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2, Darius Bazley #7 and Kenrich Williams #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder react during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 10, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 28: Aleksej Pokusevski #17 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter at Moda Center on March 28, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Offseason moves the Oklahoma City Thunder need to make: 5. Pick up Aleksej Pokusevki’s team option.

While there are many other moves for the Thunder to make, picking up the team option of Aleksej Pokusevski is probably the most crucial one. Pokusejski is only 20 years old and has two seasons of NBA basketball under his belt. This is going to be amazingly beneficial for the remainder of the rebuild.

Pokusevski is a true seven-footer who can shoot the long ball with regularity. The Thunder took him as a raw 18-year-old and have been developing him in their system for the time he has been in the league. Given the diverse skillset the sophomore has shown, the Thunder are going to be rewarded quite handsomely.

Pokusevski is a tremendous ball-handler for his height and his ability to pass the ball is improving game by game. He can rebound the ball well and is not afraid to get up and challenge shots. The triple-double he produced late in the season is a testament to his all-around abilities.

The youngster’s floor-spacing, shot creation, and ability to make the extra pass take a ton of pressure off the Thunder’s point guards, Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As he continues to develop his game and also the chemistry he has with the team, Pokusevski is going to be a difference-making rotation piece and a true mismatch that his team can utilize to their advantage.

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