Aleksej Pokuševski Waived by Thunder; Was 2020 1st-Round NBA Draft Pick (bleacherreport.com)

submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by rezz@lemmy.world to c/nba@lemmy.world

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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.

top 6 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[-] vodkasolution@feddit.it 1 points 6 months ago

I did not see that: is it a personal or technical cut?

[-] rezz@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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.it 1 points 6 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.ml 1 points 6 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.world 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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 points 6 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.

this post was submitted on 23 Feb 2024

7 points (88.9% liked)

NBA

5073 readers

1 users here now

East - Atlantic
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
New York Knicks
Philadelphia Sixers
Toronto Raptors

East - Central
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers
Milwaukee Bucks

East - Southeast
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Miami Heat
Orlando Magic
Washington Wizards

West - Northwest
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder
Portland Trailblazers
Utah Jazz

West - Pacific
Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings

West - Southwest
Dallas Mavericks
Houston Rockets
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Pelicans
San Antonio Spurs

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

vodkasolution@feddit.it