The Thunder have cut forward Aleksej Pokusevski from their 15-man roster, the team announced today in a press release. Pokusevski will become a free agent on Sunday if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
The No. 17 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Pokusevski flashed some tantalizing upside in his first three-and-a-half NBA seasons. However, his development was hindered by health issues. He was limited to just 34 games (25 starts) in 2022/23 due largely to a leg fracture that sidelined him for about three months, then broke his arm during a workout in the spring of 2023 and sprained his ankle this past September.
Pokusevski got off to a strong start in ’22/23, averaging 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 20.6 minutes per game across his 34 appearances, with career-best shooting rates of 43.4% from the field and 36.5% from the three-point line. But those injuries ended the seven-footer’s season early and he only saw garbage-time action in 10 games this season, logging 60 total minutes.
Given his lack of a role and his expiring contract, Pokusevski was a candidate to be on the move at this month’s deadline, but has now been waived instead after not being in included in a trade. Barring an unexpected waiver claim, the Thunder will remain on the hook for his 2023/24 cap hit of $5,009,633.
Pokusevski is still just 22 years old, so as long as he’s healthy, there will likely be rebuilding teams that explore taking a flier on him. John Hollinger of The Athletic (Twitter link) wonders if the Wizards might kick the tires on the young forward, given that general manager Will Dawkins was in Oklahoma City’s front office when he was drafted. For what it’s worth, Pokusevski remains eligible this season to sign a two-way contract.
As for the Thunder, they open up a spot on their 15-man roster as a result of the move. That opening doesn’t have to be filled immediately — it could be used to explore the buyout market, sign someone to a 10-day contract, or perhaps promote one of their two-way players.
Would love my Bulls to take a chance if he falls to 12 on the waiver order.
Bulls won’t pick him up on waivers or they’ll be over the tax. TBH no one is going to pick him up on waivers when he is an RFA at the end of the season with a decent cap hold (and a $5MM salary this year). Someone will just sign him on a minimum multi-year deal in the next few months.
Hmm yeah good point. Maybe Jerry can go to Springfield and see if he can get the taxpayers to foot the luxury tax bill.
At 22 he can find a team with minutes available. Memphis sounds right. Somebody like that. Change of scenery helps with that talent log jam in OKC. Lots of guys on their rise over there. Hope he gets traction and keeps the dream alive!
Eh, Memphis doesn’t have a roster spot to spare right now.
Poku is a low risk, potential high reward late season pickup for some team. As a skinny stretch 4, he needs to develop a consistent 3 point shot if he wants to be anything more than bench filler.
This guy has talent. Was very raw and thin. Not a mature body yet. Hence his injuries. Definitely believe he can play here. A stretch 4 but needs to add weight and muscle. Someone should pick him up. Play him in G-league for a yr.
Poku beside Wemby has the potential to be absolutely bananas if he could stay even somewhat healthy. Spurs should chase him down.
in pajamas 4 suree
Spurs actually sound like THE place for him to develop. Imagine, if he does, and they have Wemby and Poku on the court together…
Washington is really the only team that has space for him in their rotation.
Lol man the way u guys talk about Poku or Deni compared to a Russ Westbrook or James Harden or any of the greats that y’all constantly hate on this site is such a trip. Please understand that there’s an obvious pattern there. It’s no coincidence that y’all consistently hate on the urban Blacks that have dominated the game for decades & decades & decades
dude, It’s not fair to lump everyone into the same biased pile as you are doing. It is possible to see the potential in a young guy like Poku and not be a biased hater like you are describing. If you have receipts and want to call out specific people here have at it. Instead you are using a broad brush and painting everyone here as a bigot and that, frankly, sucks.
Last year Orlando claimed Goga Bitadze and so far has been an outstanding pick up. I think Poku can be a similar case like Bitadze whoever pick him will not regret it
Wouldn’t mind seeing him sign with the C’s let him learn under KP and AL and could fill Kornet’s shoes next year
Poku to take Kornet’s spot?
Next yr Kornet may play himself out of the C’s budget so having him on a minimum salary would help
Sorry you also have to look at the fact that JB max starts next year well signing JTpto a bigger max plus Jrue and White need extension so paying Kornet 3-4m a yr maybe to much
*JT
You can waste a lottery pick on potential that goes awry when you have 30,000 draft picks over 7 years.
He was a 17th pick which is not a lottery pick.
When he poured water on Shai’s braids I knew it was a wrap for him.
He should at least get a 10-day contract or 2 way deal very soon.
But chance is reasonable that someone gives him a 1+1 year contract with team option I guess.
One of presti’s few misses in recent years. Not that I blame him at all, he was worth a try. Maxey was the big miss but a lot of teams passed on him before Philly got him at 21.
Jazz been waiting for him, he fits their mold.
Hopefully, there won’t be the usual delay in downgrading his 2k rating. Until that happens, I’m sure he’ll be big part of a lot of the trades that get proposed on this site. Of course, that might be the case even after it happens.
W Boogie now retired you might want to give 2k nation a little grace period on the recalibrations. Emotional connections are often the hardest to kick
It has been a tough year all around for them. They’ve even turned on one of their own (Weaver).