The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Perry Jones a couple of weeks ago for a few reasons. The first reason was to save money, while the second was to open up a roster spot for 2014 first round pick Josh Huestis. Huestis and the Thunder had been discussing a deal for a little while this offseason, but now they have finally come to a deal, according to Royce Young of ESPN.com.
The reported deal is for four years with not all of it being guaranteed. Huestis will make $950,200 this upcoming season, which is 100 percent of the rookie scale, according to Nick Borges of ESPN.com. Most first round picks typically get 120 percent of the rookie scale, but the Thunder negotiated Huestis' deal down to help them gain some salary cap relief on their 2016 tax bill. As things stand right now, with this reported Huestis signing, the Thunder have 15 players under contract and will be making a tax payment of more than $21 million.
Huestis was a four-year player at Stanford and was eventually drafted 29th overall by the Thunder in 2014. In his senior season, Huestis, a 6-foot-7 small forward, averaged 11.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 34 percent from three. Huestis spent all of last season in the D-League, and he had a bit of a disappointing season, averaging 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks with low shooting percentages of 37 percent from the field and 32 percent from three.
Despite his down year in the D-League, the Thunder have high hopes for the 23-year-old. Huestis is definitely loaded with potential on both offense and defense. He is extremely athletic, capable of guarding multiple positions and has an improving jump shot. At the very least Huestis can become a lock-down defender in the NBA, but it is likely that if his jumpshot continues to improve he will become a "3 & D" guy.
Huestis is going to have trouble finding playing time this season in Oklahoma City, as the Thunder think they are title contenders. Kevin Durant is the entrenched starter at small forward, while Kyle Singler, Anthony Morrow, Andre Roberson and Dion Waiters all figure to see rotational minutes at the wing spots. Huestis just making the team out of camp would be a nice step for him, and if there are injuries or someone is underperforming he is likely ready to fill in.
