Why former Thunder guard Tre Mann attended OKC's playoff win vs New Orleans
Tre Mann has watched plenty of OKC Thunder home games from the sideline throughout his three-year NBA career.
But as OKC earned a 94-92 playoff win over New Orleans at Paycom Center on Sunday, Mann sat in a different seat. He was in Section 105, a few rows behind the court and surrounded by a sea of frenzied Thunder fans.
Mann made the trip to watch OKC, which traded him to Charlotte on Feb. 8. And while the soft-spoken sharpshooter didn't participate in any of the crowd celebrations, he silently supported his former teammates as they earned a nail-biting victory in Game 1 of the first-round series.
"It's been cool," Mann said. "Great atmosphere. It's definitely something I want to experience. Hopefully, I can get to a playoff soon, but it's been good seeing everybody and seeing what Oklahoma City playoff basketball is like."
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Mann was a raw prospect when OKC selected him with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-3 guard showed plenty of scoring ability during his two seasons at Florida. He averaged 16 points as a sophomore, although he had a thin frame and a tendency to turn the ball over.
Still, Mann became a fan favorite and a rare bright spot as a rookie on an OKC team that went 24-58. He averaged 10.4 points in 22.8 minutes, and he erupted for at least 20 points in three of the team's last five games.
Mann looked to be part of the young Thunder's future core. But as OKC got deeper over the years with the additions of guards such as Josh Giddey and Cason Wallace, his role got reduced.
Mann only averaged 3.8 points in 9.2 minutes this season before he got traded by OKC, which needed more veterans as it prepared for a playoff push. The Thunder sent Mann, Davis Bertans, Vasilije Micic and two future second-round picks to the Hornets in exchange for Gordon Hayward as a result.
"Tre was kind of here for the beginning of the rebuild," Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said after Sunday's game. "He's like a brother to all of us. We obviously all appreciate his support. It's super cool and fun having him (at the game)."
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Mann now finds himself in the midst of another rebuild with Charlotte, which finished 13th in the East this season with a 21-61 record.
But he also finds himself in a larger role.
Mann started all 28 games with the Hornets due in part to the absence of LaMelo Ball, who was sidelined with a season-ending knee injury, and Mann made the most of it. He averaged 11.9 points and 5.2 assists in 31 minutes.
"It's been fun just going out there and playing basketball," Mann said. "I'm showing what I've gotten better at. ... I'm grateful that I got the opportunity to go out and do that."
Mann delivered what's arguably his best performance with Charlotte against none other than OKC on April 7.
The Hornets suffered a 121-118 home loss, but Mann recorded 18 points on 7-for-7 shooting from the floor (3 for 3 from deep). He also stuffed the stat sheet with six assists, five rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Mann took a group photo with his former Thunder teammates on the court after the game. He then pulled off what's surely the largest jersey swap in NBA history.
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Giddey. Lu Dort. Chet Holmgren. Isaiah Joe. Lindy Waters III. Aaron Wiggins. Jalen Williams. Jaylin Williams. Each of them signed their jersey and gave it to Mann.
"I've got them in my closet right now," Mann said of the jerseys. "I'm going to frame them soon, but I've got to get a house first."
Mann always has a home in OKC.
The former Thunder guard's gravitational pull isn't limited to the court. One fan came up to him during the interview and thanked him for his time with OKC. A Thunder staff member also stopped by to dap him up.
Mann made time for everyone he came across throughout the night. And even though he no longer reps OKC on his chest, his ties to the city are thicker than threads.
"It's all love," Mann said. "They showed a lot of love and support while I was here, so I'm grateful for that. I built really good relationships with fans. ... It's always love."
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Former OKC Thunder guard Tre Mann attends NBA playoff win vs Pelicans
