Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

Oklahoma City Thunder’s summer additions will lead them back to playoffs

By Charlie Spungin

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Dallas Mavericks during the third quarter at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 08, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Dallas Mavericks during the third quarter at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 08, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma City Thunder
TyTy Washington Jr. (Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports) /

TyTy Washington

As just mentioned, Washington was acquired for practically nothing. While Garuba spent his entire season with the Rockets appearing in 75 total games (just 13 minutes per game), Washington spent some of his season in the G-League, only playing 35 games with Houston. He genuinely shined in the G-League and has lots of promise coming to OKC.

In 23 G-League games, Washington averaged 24.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals on 59.1 TS% (44.0/32.4/82.6 shooting splits). He looked really good down there. The part of his scoring ability where he is most comfortable is in the mid-range, usually getting to his patented floater. Despite being only 21 years old, he has what is arguably a top 20 or 25 floater in the league already.

Outside of that midrange comfort, Washington needs to improve his scoring. Combining his numbers in the NBA and G-League, he shot 30.0% from three last season. His numbers really do need to improve in this area, and it is part of what holds him back on this end. Additionally, he isn’t a huge downhill presence at the rim, where he only shot 54% at the rim last season. This inability to shoot and score at the rim currently caps his overall scoring efficiency, ability, and upside.

Improving in one of these areas is key for him, and getting there from beyond the arc is what feels more realistic, considering (1) his good FT% and (2) his lack of athletic burst and pop at the rim. As for his playmaking, he is solid: not bad but not great.

Defensively, Washington isn’t incredible. He’s solid on the ball, and being 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan gives him some promise on this end, but it’s wishful to think he’s going to be anything great on this end. Washington definitely has work to become a consistent rotation player for OKC, but his success in the G-League at a young age appears to be a good sign for his development. He’s a super high feel and IQ player, contributing to why I believe he can find success in the NBA one day.

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