The NBA is driven by superstars, but even the best teams need production from role players. Every season, the best rosters across the league feature players that compliment these stars and ultimately impact the game at a high level on both ends.
The Oklahoma City Thunder seemingly have their first star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren having the upside to form dominant trio down the road.
As the Thunder continue to build the roster moving forward through the draft and free agency, they will only improve and at some point emerge as a contender. Additionally, there’s players already on the team that will continue to develop and solidify significant roles.
In his third NBA season, Aleksej Pokusevski has emerged as the perfect complimentary piece for when Oklahoma City is ready to push for the playoffs.
A 7-footer, he’s currently the tallest player on the entire roster and is also one of the most skilled. The Serbian can be plugged into any lineup, as he’s got the versatility to play all five positions on both ends.
Again, every team that wants to go the distance needs a high level 3-and-D player. The Thunder have a 7-footer that fits that mold in Pokusevski.
It’s taken time for him to finally emerge as an impactful NBA player, but the 20-year-old is having a breakout season. The Thunder’s development team has been working closely with Pokusevski since the day he got to Oklahoma City, and it’s paying off. Between getting valuable minutes in the G League and learning slowly at the NBA level, he’s arrived.
Pokusevski has earned a spot in the Thunder’s starting lineup due to his spectacular play and has been one of their best players all season.
On the offensive end, he has the ball skills to play point guard, but the height and length to operate as a center. Pokusevski is shooting 42.3% from deep on 3.5 attempts per contest and 55.9% on shots inside the arc.
Additionally, he’s a great positional passer and has already notched six games this season with at least three assists. As a rebounder, he’s second on the entire team with 4.9 boards per contest.
Defensively, Pokusevski has been one of the best in the entire NBA to this point. He’s fifth in the league with 1.9 blocks per contest and has also generated 11 steals on the year.
It seems like nearly every time the third year prospect blocks a shot, he ends up scoring on the other end.
When he was drafted No. 17 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, it was evident Pokusevski would be a project. As of now, he seems to be well worth the investment of time and draft capital. The sky truly is the limit for the 7-footer, but at minimum he’s already emerged as an impactful two-way player that can play any position.
When the Thunder make the jump to being a playoff team in the near future, he’ll be a huge part of their success. In the meantime, he has the chance to only improve further.
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