Tre Mann looks great in NBA Summer League, but where does he fit in OKC Thunder's future?
The Thunder roster has a logjam of guards and wings.
Let’s see. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe. Those five are going to play.
Plus Kenrich Williams and Aaron Wiggins, versatile wings who can (and will) move to bigger positions from time to time.
The Thunder also has newcomers Vasilije Micic (EuroLeague veteran) and Cason Wallace (first-round draft pick).
Even second-round pick Keyontae Johnson likely will get a look, and Jared Butler is a serviceable third-string point guard who will spend time in the G League.
More: Tramel's ScissorTales: Thunder's Vasilije Micic tries to buck NBA's trend of Euro veterans
So even assuming that veterans Victor Oladipo and Patty Mills, acquired in June trades, are either traded or waived, just exactly how does Tre Mann fit in?
Mann has been the rage for the Thunder’s two Summer League games in Salt Lake City, with totals of 48 points on 17-of-29 shooting, including 6-of-14 from 3-point range, plus 11 rebounds. Mann’s assist-to-turnover ratio has not been strong, 4:9, but otherwise, he’s looked like an accomplished NBA player against a bunch of guys who are trying to reach that level.
And that’s good thing for the Thunder. Not because Mann necessarily can unhinge the Thunder depth chart. But because Mann is showcasing himself as possible NBA trade bait.
The Thunder must trim its roster by season’s start. OKC now has 19 regular contracts on its roster, and even if Mills, Oladipo and/or Davis Bertans are sent out, the Thunder still is overstocked.
Ideally, OKC could get something in return for players rather than just straight cutting them.
In the case of Oladipo, Mills and/or Bertans, being part of a mega-trade, helping make salaries align, is at least a possibility.
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Someone like Mann could make those trades more amenable. But if not, Mann’s impressive showing so far in Salt Lake City at least might tempt a team to offer something like a second-round draft pick.
Mann through two NBA seasons has played in 127 games, averaging 9.0 points. But his other metrics are not strong – 39.3 percent shooting, 33.8 3-point shooting, 1.7:1.0 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Mann is rather slight, and at 6-foot-3, his defense is nothing to excite.
In his rookie year, he showed occasional explosiveness. But Mann’s second season was a step back. His career hangs in the balance.
But Mann reminded everyone through two Summer League games that he has all kinds of offensive talent. Perhaps enough for someone to want to make a deal, as the Thunder tries to trim its glut of guards and wings.
Berry Tramel: Berry can be reached at 405-760-8080 or at btramel@oklahoman.com. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including FM-98.1. Support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder could trade Tre Mann with logjam of NBA guards, wings
