Oklahoma City Thunder: Is Moses Brown another great find?

Is Moses Brown the next great find for the Oklahoma City Thunder?

On June 24, 2020, the Oklahoma City Thunder converted defensive starlet Lu Dort’s two-way contract into a standard multi-year NBA contract. This deal has since become one of the best values in the entire NBA.

Sunday afternoon word came down that the Thunder waived Austin Rivers – as expected – who was acquired during last Thursday’s trade deadline. Soon thereafter, the Thunder used the open roster spot to convert center Moses Brown’s two-way contract into a multi-year deal, similarly as they did with the fellow undrafted Dort, last season.

This was an excellent decision by Sam Presti and the entire OKC Thunder front office because it is a low-risk high-reward situation. If Brown’s current success proves to be an anomaly, he will be making a minimum salary, with likely a team option. This is all an assumption as contract details have yet to be disclosed.

Rebounding Brown

Sophomore sensation Moses Brown has been on a rebounding tear as of late, posting double-doubles in four of his last six games played, including a rather jarring 20-20 game versus the Boston Celtics on March 27 and 21, respectively.

Impressively, Brown has corralled 126 rebounds this season, 27th most among second-year NBA players. Here is what makes the stat so eye-catching, Brown has appeared in considerably fewer games than any other sophomore to pull down 120 or more rebounds.

Brown has played 280 minutes this season, the next closest sophomore with at least 120 rebounds, has played 590 minutes.

Where to go from here?

The Thunder will have the rest of the season to evaluate Brown, due to shutting down veteran big man, Al Horford. Brown will have ample opportunities to prove he belongs in the NBA, rather than in the G-League or with an overseas club, and the opportunity has already begun and thus far, Brown has taken full advantage of it.

What Thunder fans and NBA media alike should look for from Brown for the duration of the season is consistency, defensive fundamentals, and how his footwork evolves. If he continues on his current trajectory, and given the other prospects the OKC Thunder already possesses this rebuild could be much shorter than anticipated.