LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 16: Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder poses for a portrait ... [+]
NBA Summer League has officially come to and end for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who played eight games this month split between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. It was an opportunity for young players to showcase their upside and position themselves to earn contracts and roles in the upcoming season, whether that be at the NBA or G
In Las Vegas specifically, the OKC roster was primarily comprised of rookies and G League players. Even then, quite a few key themes emerged, and players shone over the five games on the UNLV campus.
Results
The Thunder went 1-4 in Las Vegas, finding its only win in the final contest of summer league. While the team holistically didn’t have much success in the win column, real chemistry was built and players all across the roster had their chance to shine.
As the slate of Las Vegas games went on, fewer primary pieces took the floor. In the later set of games for the Thunder, it was the players who didn’t get much opportunity early on that got their chance.
Top Performers
Ajay Mitchell
Stats: 2 GP | 18.0 PPG | 4.0 APG | 2.0 SPG | 43.8% FG | 50.0% 3PT
Following a phenomenal showing in Salt Lake City, Mitchell was the Thunder’s best player in Las Vegas. Despite being a second-round pick on a two-way contract, he proved to be a remarkable talent on both ends and one of the top rookies in the entire event.
Whether it was picking up full-court defensively or scoring buckets at all three levels at the other end, Mitchell was very impressive in Las Vegas. After just two games, he was given the rest of summer league off as he looks ahead to the upcoming season.
Dillon Jones
Stats: 2 GP | 14.0 PPG | 6.5 RPG
Jones struggled a bit in Las Vegas after having a great showing in Salt Lake City, but was still a solid contributor. Most notably, his scoring efficiency wasn’t where it needed to be, but he found other ways to contribute.
That versatility is exactly what makes Jones special as he impacts the game in so many ways. He was a solid rebounder and connective piece offensively that helped Oklahoma City even as he struggled to score.
Adam Flagler
Stats: 2 GP | 21.5 PPG | 1.5 RPG | 1.0 APG | 50.0% FG | 55.6% 3PT
Set to play a significant role with the Blue in the G League again this season, Flagler is entering the second year of his two-way contract. He was on fire from beyond the arc in Las Vegas, converting on more than half of his triples.
Flagler’s production was up and down in Salt Lake City, so his ability to find consistency in the Thunder’s second summer league was impressive. He has the ability to one day be a contributor at the NBA level, but will need to add more dimensions to his game.
Keyontae Johnson
Stats: 5 GP | 9.8 PPG | 6.4 RPG | 4.2 APG | 40.4% FG
While Johnson struggled for the first part of the summer circuit, he really found his footing over the final few games in Las Vegas. As the roster continued to shrink, he became more of a primary option.
Once that happened, he became much more aggressive and comfortable being a key piece of the rotation. He never found his groove shooting the ball, but Johnson was crashing the boards and facilitating for others which was impressive to see.
Hunter Maldonado
Stats: 5 GP | 10.2 PPG | 4.4 RPG | 4.2 APG | 1.6 SPG | 37.2% FG
Another player who really emerged during the final few games in Las Vegas was Maldonado. Known for being a pesky defender, it was actually his passing that stuck out down the stretch.
He didn’t score the ball very efficiently, but Maldonado was one of the team’s offensive engines over the final few games. He’s expected to be anther significant G League contributor in the upcoming season.
Other Themes
- Although he was officially signed to a two-way contract last week, Alex Ducas did not suit up at all this summer due to a hip injury. The first action we will see of him will likely be in the preseason.
- Ousmane Dieng did not play in Las Vegas, as he was shut down after the three games in Salt Lake City. He’s entering his third NBA season with quite a bit on the line as he hopes to break out.
- For the majority of the Las Vegas stint, Oklahoma City played G League players. That was especially true after the first two games, when rookies Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell were shut down for the summer. At that point, Hunter Maldonado really became a focal point as he looks to be a key piece for the Blue in the upcoming season.
- In less than three months, the Thunder will begin its preseason slate. That’s the next time Oklahoma City will take the floor, meaning it’s all about development and evaluating more roster moves for the remainder of the summer.