Summer players seek roster spots

LAS VEGAS — Sure there’s a chip on Hamidou Diallo’s shoulder.

Of course landing 45th in last month’s NBA Draft is a motivator for the 6-foot-5 rookie, selected by Brooklyn and traded to Oklahoma City via Charlotte. Naturally he wants to prove he’s better than that.

But when Diallo poured in 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds Friday in his second Summer League game, the

rookie wasn’t thinking about draft night.

“You’ve seen it happen multiple times where the 1 pick doesn’t pan out and the 60th pick does,” Diallo said. “So you just got to go out there and work hard and always know it’s not about your pick. It’s all about fit and it’s all about how bad do you want it.”

Diallo is hoping he’s found a fit with the Thunder, and he’s not the only one who wants it.

With a payroll and tax bill currently projected at $310 million and almost certain to remain well into the NBA’s luxury tax regardless of what happens with Carmelo Anthony’s contract, it’s likely that the Thunder will be seeking to round out a roster with some

inexpensive pieces.

Eleven players currently committed or signed are the best bets to be on the roster when training camp opens: guards Russell Westbrook, Andre Roberson, Raymond Felton, Alex Abrines and Terrance Ferguson, forwards Paul George, Jerami Grant and Patrick Patterson and centers Steven Adams, Dakari Johnson and Nerlens Noel.

Anthony remains under contract, but ESPN reported last week the Thunder will part ways with him via trade or buyout. Kyle Singler also is a candidate to be moved to create tax relief.

That could mean as many as four open roster spots, and though there are a number of ways to fill them — with players acquired in a trade, for example, or free agents signed either via minimum contracts or the Thunder’s $5.3 million mid-level exception — there are players on the Thunder’s Summer Roster who could take up some of the available slots.

A look at the potential candidates:

Hamidou Diallo

Though he wasn’t a first-round pick, Diallo is in much the same spot Ferguson was a year ago when the Thunder took him with the 21st pick.

Diallo is similarly athletic, but perhaps even less polished than Ferguson, who had spent a season playing professionally in Australia. And much like Ferguson, he likely would benefit from the experience of playing and practicing with veterans as a rookie.

The 6-foot-5 guard is an elite athlete who’s shown good effort and activity here, and because he’d likely sign for a rookie minimum — last season it was $815,615 — he has a strong case for a spot.

Devon Hall

Hall and Kevin Hervey — the 53rd and 57th picks, respectively, in last month’s NBA Draft — likely would sign at bargain prices.

At 6-5 and 211 pounds, Hall can play either guard position, and he has a reputation as a sound defender, having played college basketball at Virginia, which has been Lockdown U under coach Tony Bennett.

Hall was a non-factor in OKC’s first Summer League game but made both of his 3-point attempts in the second, and his shooting could be key if he’s to land on the roster.

Kevin Hervey

If Anthony and Singler are out, the Thunder could seek to fill out the frontcourt, and Hervey could be a candidate. He’s 6-9 and 230 pounds and has a solid outside shooting stroke.

After his first Summer League game, Hervey noted that players like Westbrook and George “don’t need much space” to be able to operate. Still, he said, his shooting has value in stretching the defense.

“Hopefully I can give them even more (space) than they need…,” Hervey said.

Daniel Hamilton

In two seasons with the Oklahoma City Blue in the developmental G League, Hamilton has averaged 15.5 points, seven rebounds and 8.5 assists. Last season he played on a two-way contract that allowed him to spend 45 days in the NBA, and he appeared in six games with the Thunder.

Last season, the Thunder signed Dakari Johnson to a two-year contract after he spent two seasons with the Blue. Hamilton is a candidate for a similar career path. He’d probably make a minimum salary; he’d provide the Thunder with a thirdstring point guard in case of emergency; and he’d give the coaching staff a chance to get an extended look on a regular basis to evaluate his NBA potential moving forward.

The wild cards

The Thunder on Saturday signed guard Deonte Burton to a two-way contract.

NBA teams are allowed two two-way players, and though there’s no guarantee Burton will fill one of those spots — the contract is non-guaranteed — he’s an intriguing mix of size (6-5, 250 pounds) and athleticism who would be a natural fit splitting his time between the Blue and the Thunder.

PJ Dozier played last season on a two-way deal and could get a look this season for a roster spot or another go-round in that dual role.