Huestis’ future not any clearer
When Josh Huestis sat down for his exit interview last season, there was promise following his first year in a Thunder uniform, his second as a professional.
But when the 25-year-old faced the media at the end of another season, he’d logged more minutes planning his upcoming wedding this sum-
mer than alongside Russell Westbrook, Steven Adams and Co.
“I have so little opinion on so many things other than as long as I leave there married and everybody has a good time,” Huestis joked at his exit interview April 26 about planning his wedding. “There’s so much to it that I had no idea.
“I did pick the DJ, though. I think I did a good job. Fingers crossed on that one.”
Huestis might want to keep his fingers crossed for expanded NBA playing time next season. What’s his future with the Thunder? Cloudy yet again after another season of limited opportunities.
When the Thunder picked up Huestis’ option Oct. 29 for an additional year, guaranteeing his salary through 2017-18, it was a positive for his future with the franchise. Three days later, however, the writing was essentially on the wall for Huestis — at least this season — when the Thunder acquired Jerami Grant via trade Nov. 1.
At 6-foot-8, Grant is a hybrid small forward/ power forward with shot blocking ability, 3-point range and serious athleticism. Sound familiar? “Josh, to his credit — from the D-League situation to coming to practice every day, going back and forth — his attitude, his work ethic, has been really good, and I think he’s improved and gotten better,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said.
Those were Donovan’s words after Huestis’s first Thunder minutes of the season, Feb. 2 against Chicago. The 6-7, 235-pounder had seven points, four rebounds, an assist and a block in seven minutes of a Thunder blowout loss.
For the second season in a row, Donovan cited Huestis’ continual transition from playing power forward in college to small forward in the NBA as one reason for his lack of playing time, particularly the adjustment to defending the pick-and-roll. A player with Huestis' athleticism has to be able to defend and switch onto multiple positions — see Grant and Taj Gibson against the Rockets in the playoffs — as NBA offenses continue to expand to the perimeter.
“The way that we play defense, especially with the way the league is trending, you switch 1 (point guard) through 4 (power forward) pickand-rolls a lot,” Huestis said. “So being somebody that not only can guard a 4 but also be able to switch onto a point guard and be able to hold my own and get stops is really important.”
Offensively, Huestis showed marked improvement in the D-League, upping his field goal percentage from 39.7 to 44.5 and his 3-point percentage from 31.3 to 38.5. He was particularly effective in the postseason for the Oklahoma City Blue, hitting 16-of-36 3-pointers and 48.5 percent from the field (40-of-83) overall.
But D-League success doesn’t ensure an NBA rotation spot. Seven of the 15 players on the AllNBA D-League teams earned call-ups this season, but none played in more than 20 games. Huestis was not an AllNBA D-League selection.
Despite multiple callups, Huestis wrapped up the season with fewer minutes (31) and games played (two) for the Thunder than the previous season when Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka were rightfully dominating the minutes at the forward positions. What does it say that Huestis couldn’t crack the Thunder rotation at either spot against the likes of rookie Domantas Sabonis, newcomers Doug McDermott and Grant, or seldomused Kyle Singler?
Huestis said he doesn’t worry about his future, even as he enters his final guaranteed year of salary ($1.4 million). The Thunder has a team option in 2018-19.
“I know that I have the ability and the skill to play in this league, and if I continue to put the work in, then it'll all work out,” Huestis said. “I'm human, so I have my days, but more often than not, I'm really comfortable with my future.”
A bright spot for Huestis: The Thunder has promoted from within. Semaj Christon spent his first two seasons in the organization in the D-League and Europe, respectively, but won a job in camp and played 64 games.
Huestis said he draws encouragement from Christon. With limited NBA minutes to his name, it’s a good place to start.
“It just shows that when you do put that work in and get that opportunity, you'll be ready, you'll be able to make an impact and you can stick in this league,” Huestis said. “He's helped make a name for himself and show that he can be here.
"I hope to do the same thing.”