Four years removed from being a first-round draft pick, Aleksej Pokuševski's tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder has come to an end. The Thunder announced…

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/12313381

NOOOO MY DARLING BOY

Four years removed from being a first-round draft pick, Aleksej Pokuševski’s tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder has come to an end.

The Thunder announced on Friday they have waived the 22-year-old forward.

Pokuševski was originally selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2020 draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who traded his rights to Oklahoma City in a three-team deal that also involved the New York Knicks. He was the youngest player in that draft class The trade has turned out to be very notable for all three teams involved. Minnesota acquired the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels, while the Knicks got the rights to Immanuel Quickley.

    • rezz@lemmy.worldOPM
      1·
      4 months ago

      I believe his injuries over the last couple years most likely affected his dexterity and mobility significantly enough, but that we were good faith keeping him on as long as possible. Even the few times he was on the floor the last year, he seemed less fluid.

      Now that we are stacked beyond doubt, we have an obligation to cut him for team sake and his own to play out his career. I see him getting minutes in Europe.

      • VodkaSolution @feddit.itM
        1·
        4 months ago

        I was asking because even if he’s injury prone, I think they could have sent him to like the Grizzlies and get something back

  • TrippyFocus@lemmy.mlM
    1·
    4 months ago

    Not surprised since OKC is a bit too deep for him to get enough playing time to develop. He’ll probably get picked up by a tanking team since he’s shown enough flashes to be worth a chance I feel like.

    • rezz@lemmy.worldOPM
      2·
      4 months ago

      I think that would’ve happened if he had trade value but it’s possible he goes to Europe or gets picked up on a two year flyer one last time. I believe he secretly had a nagging injury.

  • decadentrebel@lemmy.world
    1·
    4 months ago

    Damn, wasn’t expecting this. That’s not to say he’s any good or had any decent developmental uptick, just that OKC was so invested in him for so long and on a relatively cheap deal that I don’t see the point of waiving him.