Here are our player scouting reports and 2015-16 projections for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Projected starters
Russell Westbrook
Position: Guard
Experience: 7 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Uber-athletic point guard didn't lose a step after multiple knee surgeries; overwhelms opponents
+ Unprecedented, dominating offense in Kevin Durant's absence
+ Underrated pick-and-roll distributor, tremendous perimeter rebounder, increased defensive effort
Analysis
After Westbrook underwent three surgeries on his right knee during 2013, there was concern about whether he would return as the same athlete. It's safe to say he put that to rest last season. The silver lining of Kevin Durant's absence was that it unleashed Westbrook like never before. The results were historic. Westbrook used 38.6 percent of Oklahoma City's plays, the second-highest mark since individual turnovers have been tracked. Westbrook's mark is behind only Kobe Bryant in 2005-06:
Remarkably, Westbrook managed to carry such a heavy load without any drop-off in his individual efficiency. He actually posted a slightly better true shooting percentage in games Durant missed (.538) than when he played (.533). Westbrook broke out his full arsenal of skills to make it happen, posting up more frequently and using post catches as a method of creating isolations closer to the basket. But he was most effective in the pick-and-roll, splitting double-teams when opponents tried to trap him and developing instant chemistry with Enes Kanter after his midseason addition.
Given the energy he expended on offense, it's impressive Westbrook had any left for defense. (Scott Brooks limiting Westbrooks' minutes to 35 per night, even with Durant injured, helped.) But Westbrook's effort was slightly more consistent at that end, a shortcoming since he has developed into a star. And Westbrook was phenomenal on the glass, posting an above-average rebound rate for a small forward, let alone a point guard, en route to a league-high 11 triple-doubles -- the most in a single season since Jason Kidd had 13 in 2007-08, per Basketball-Reference.com.
Andre Roberson
Position: Forward
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Took on defensive specialist role with mixed results
+ Outside shot is still a work in progress; little respect paid to him beyond the arc
+ Already one of the league's best defensive stoppers; combines physical tools with high effort level
Analysis
Two years after playing power forward in college at Colorado, Roberson became Oklahoma City's starting shooting guard when Thabo Sefolosha left for the Atlanta Hawks. Roberson started 65 of the 67 games he played, though he averaged just 19.2 minutes per game because of his offensive limitations.
Roberson still shoots like a power forward. He finished with 21 3-pointers in 85 attempts with 24.7 percent accuracy. He was a tad better from the corners, going 15-of-47 (31.9 percent), according to NBA.com/Stats, but a disastrous 6-of-36 (16.7 percent) from the longer 3-point line. (His other two misses were from the backcourt.) Roberson also showed unusual home/road splits, making 3-for-40 3s (7.5 percent) at home and 18-for-45 (40 percent) on the road. However, Roberson shot just 48 percent from the free-throw line. Whether it was because he wanted to avoid fouls or because Westbrook's offensive takeover forced him to the perimeter, Roberson became more of a 3-point specialist in the second half, taking more 3s than 2s and attempting just four free throws in 359 minutes after the All-Star break.
The transition to the perimeter has gone much more smoothly at the defensive end. Roberson is too small to play inside regularly against NBA opponents, but at 6-foot-7 with a wingspan measured at 6-foot-11 at the NBA Pre-Draft Combine, he has ample size to defend either wing spot. After grasping some of the nuances of playing through off-ball screens, Roberson emerged as Sefolosha's equal as a one-on-one defender, and ESPN's real plus-minus rated him third among all shooting guards in defensive impact.
Kevin Durant
Position: Forward
Experience: 8 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Reigning MVP was limited to 27 games in 2014-15 due primarily to a Jones fracture in his right foot
+ Elite one-on-one scorer; size makes shot difficult to contest and lives at the free-throw line
+ Added versatility as part of his development -- good ball handler, underrated defender and excellent rebounder from wing
Analysis
Less than six months after being named the NBA's Most Valuable Player, Durant was sidelined when a Jones fracture was discovered in his right foot. Durant was able to return by the start of December and quickly picked up where he left off in 2013-14, but injuries continued to plague him. Durant missed six games in December with a sprained ankle, then experienced soreness in his right foot that doctors traced to the screw used to help his fractured bone heal. Durant underwent a procedure to relieve that pain, but when it continued, further evaluation indicated a setback in the original fracture that was repaired via season-ending bone graft in late March. Durant returned to the court for some drills during USA Basketball's mini-camp in August and is expected to be ready for training camp.
The best news about Durant's injury is that when he was on the court, he was basically the same player he has always been. In fact, Durant's 2-point percentage (56.5 percent) actually was the best of his career, and he shot 40.3 percent from beyond the arc. It's difficult for defenders to force Durant into a bad shot. As a 6-foot-9 small forward, he nearly always has a height advantage on his defender, and his long arms allow him to get off an uncontested look even with an opponent close nearby. One small decline in Durant's game was in his free-throw rate, down to 6.7 attempts per 36 minutes from 9.3 the season before. Odds are that was a fluke. Durant excels at drawing fouls, and while the NBA has ruled his patented rip-through move should not be considered a shooting foul, that never affected Durant's free-throw rate before.
As obviously problematic as Durant's loss was on offense, the Thunder also might have missed him on defense. Durant has developed into an above-average defender, part of his transformation from a one-dimensional scorer early in his career into a versatile MVP. Oklahoma City surely missed Durant's contributions on the glass. Though a complete non-factor on the offensive boards, Durant is a terrific defensive rebounder, which helps allow the Thunder to play small with him at power forward.
Serge Ibaka
Position: Forward
Experience: 6 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ The NBA's premier 3-and-D big man, a category he has almost all to himself
+ A high-percentage finisher early in his career, moved dramatically to perimeter with good results from 3
+ Among the league's best shot blockers but block rate declined last season
Analysis
The last of Oklahoma City's key injuries was to power forward Ibaka, who had missed just three games total since entering the starting lineup at the 2011 trade deadline. A sore right knee required arthroscopic surgery in mid-March that ended Ibaka's season. Without him, the Thunder went 10-8 to finish a game out of the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
Before the injury, 2014-15 saw Ibaka take a dramatic step in shifting his game toward the perimeter. After flirting with the 3-pointer in 2012-13 and 2013-14, when he attempted 0.7 3s per game, Ibaka went all-in last season. He attempted 3.2 3-pointers per game, more than a quarter of his shot attempts, while shooting 37.6 percent beyond the arc. The additional 3s were part of the reason Ibaka saw his shooting percentage drop from 53.6 percent to a career-low 47.6 percent. He was also less effective inside the arc, both as a finisher -- his forte early in his career -- and on long 2-point tries. While Ibaka also sacrificed second chances (his offensive rebound rate dropped from 10.0 percent to 7.0 percent), the net effect of his move to the perimeter appears positive, especially with Oklahoma City getting few 3s from starting shooting guard Andre Roberson.
It's a bit trickier to explain the decline in Ibaka's block rate (5.8 percent of opponent 2-point attempts), which was his lowest since his rookie season. Still, Ibaka remains an elite rim protector. The 40.8 percent opponents shot inside five feet with Ibaka as a primary defender was the league's second-lowest mark among players who faced at least five such shots per game, according to SportVU tracking data on NBA.com/Stats. While Ibaka's absence wasn't the only factor, it's no surprise the Thunder's defense collapsed down the stretch without him in the lineup.
Steven Adams
Position: Center
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Promising young center who is more of an offensive threat than his Thunder predecessors
+ Poor foul shooter. Was subject to intentional fouls at times. Dogged offensive rebounder
+ Annoying, physical defensive presence. Average shot blocker
Analysis
At the age of 21, Adams displaced Kendrick Perkins in the starting lineup to offer change Oklahoma City fans could believe in. The New Zealand native by way of Pitt has proven a quick NBA study, fitting into a complementary role in the Thunder offense while showing he could develop into a more important piece of the lineup.
Mostly a bystander on offense as a rookie, Adams got a bit more involved in Year 2, increasing his usage rate from 11.7 percent of Oklahoma City's plays to 14.3 percent. Unlike Perkins, Adams is something of a pick-and-roll threat. He catches the ball on the move and can finish in traffic. A good percentage of Adams' offense still comes off putbacks. While his offensive rebound rate declined in longer minutes, Adams was solidly above average on the offensive glass. As he grows into his offense, Adams must improve as a foul shooter. He made just 50.2 percent of his free throws, down from 58.1 percent as a rookie, making him vulnerable to the Hack-a-Shaq.
On defense, Adams surely benefited from playing with Ibaka. He's an average shot blocker for a center and actually below average on the defensive glass. But Adams' superior mobility as compared to Perkins was a plus for the Thunder. He's much more effective containing pick-and-rolls at the point of attack and retreating back to the paint.
Reserves
Enes Kanter
Position: Center
Experience: 4 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Polarizing big man who is a skilled pick-and-roll player but a defensive liability
+ Good combination of strength and finesse on offense; showcased finishing ability after joining Thunder
+ Among the league's weakest defenders -- neither quick enough to defend on perimeter nor stout enough to patrol paint
Analysis
After three-and-a-half frustrating seasons with the Utah Jazz, who drafted him third overall in 2011, Kanter was dealt to Oklahoma City just before the trade deadline. The two teams went opposite directions after the deal, particularly on defense. While the Jazz led the league in defensive rating in the second half, the Thunder dropped to 27th, the primary reason Oklahoma City missed the playoffs. Both changes cast Kanter in a poor light. Still, the Portland Trail Blazers signed the restricted free agent to a four-year deal worth the maximum $70 million, and despite the deal pushing the team into the luxury tax, the Thunder decided to match.
The 2014-15 season did see Kanter make good on his offensive potential. He averaged a career-high 19.6 points per 36 minutes, a mark that increased to 21.6 per 36 in Oklahoma City. Among centers, only DeMarcus Cousins surpassed the latter figure. Kanter's improvement was strictly a matter of efficiency. His usage rate actually declined slightly, but Kanter shot 56.6 percent from the field after the trade. He quickly developed pick-and-roll chemistry with Russell Westbrook and dominated the offensive glass as a power forward, securing 17.5 percent of all available rebounds, a mark only Andre Drummond beat over the full season. Kanter also has the ability to score one-on-one in the post. As important to his improved efficiency with the Thunder was Kanter cutting down on long 2-pointers, which he didn't shoot accurately enough to try on a regular basis.
As good as Kanter was on offense, he was that bad on defense. Oklahoma City allowed 110.4 points per 100 possessions with Kanter on the floor, a rate that would have been the league's worst defensive rating if Kanter was a starter. Opponents made 56.9 percent of their shots within five feet with Kanter as a primary defender, the highest against any player who defended at least five such shots per game, according to SportVU player tracking on NBA.com/Stats. That makes it hard for Kanter to succeed defensively as a center.
Losing some weight helped him defend on the perimeter last season, though he still gives up quickness to most power forwards and has poor footwork against the pick-and-roll. Ideally, the Thunder would pair Kanter with Ibaka as much as possible to minimize Kanter's limitations. But Oklahoma City may also prefer Kanter playing against backup centers, which allows him to take a larger role on offense with either Westbrook or Durant or both stars on the bench. How Billy Donovan utilizes Kanter will be one of his most important decisions in 2015-16.
Dion Waiters
Position: Guard
Experience: 3 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Uber-confident score-first shooting guard who has to figure out how to fit into a smaller role
+ Mediocre outside shooter with poor shot selection; dreadful finisher, which minimizes value of his drives
+ Has tools to be an effective defender but focus tends to wander
Analysis
When he first re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James expressed enthusiasm about playing with Waiters, who began the year as Cleveland's starting shooting guard. That lasted three games. Playing with three All-Stars didn't change Waiters' belief he was the best scorer on the court, and his poor shot selection doomed him first to the bench and later to a January trade to the Thunder. Oklahoma City envisioned Waiters as a two-way wing to complement Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, and Waiters averaged 30 minutes per game after the deal. But Waiters wasn't particularly useful at either end, and Billy Donovan must either get more out of Waiters or find a way to limit his playing time.
The first problem with playing Waiters alongside stars is he doesn't have role-player skills. The Cavaliers were encouraged by Waiters' 36.8 percent 3-point shooting in 2013-14. That proved a fluke, as Waiters made less than 30 percent of his 3s last season, dropping his career mark to 32.6 percent. He's actually decent on open catch-and-shoot looks but hurts his percentage by taking too many contested shots. Waiters would rather have the ball in his hands breaking down defenses.
Alas, when he does get to the rim, Waiters struggles to finish over bigger defenders. According to SportVU player tracking on NBA.com/Stats, Waiters shot 41.0 percent on drives, the second-lowest mark among players with at least 300 drives last season. As a result, Waiters' true shooting percentage dropped far below the Josh Smith Line to .460, the second-worst among players who played at least 2,000 minutes with an above-average usage rate.
Physically, Waiters has all the tools needed to be a good defender against shooting guards. He compensates for being just 6-foot-4 with good strength. Indeed, Waiters showed defensive potential in spurts in Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, he's done in by his tendency to lose focus even when guarding elite scorers. As a result, Waiters is an average defender at best.
Kyle Singler
Position: Forward
Experience: 3 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Willing role player who has increasingly become a 3-point specialist
+ Rarely ventures inside the paint or creates his own shot but can make plays for others
+ Average defender who struggles with elite athleticism but is big enough to occasionally play as small-ball 4
Analysis
A natural role player who is best around talented teammates, Singler fit in quickly after a midseason trade to the Thunder, starting 18 games in place of the injured Kevin Durant. Oklahoma City re-signed the restricted free agent to a five-year deal worth nearly $25 million, and Singler will figure into a deep wing rotation.
In some respects, Singler is almost too deferential on offense, and he used just 11.0 percent of the Thunder's plays after the trade. Singler spent most of his time spotting up. More than half of his shots were 3-pointers last season, up from 31.2 percent as a rookie in 2012-13. That's just fine because Singler made them at nearly a 40 percent clip. Surprisingly, he still didn't score with even average efficiency overall because he almost never gets to the free-throw line (52 attempts in 80 games) and saw his accuracy inside the arc plummet from 49.2 percent to 37.1 percent. If Singler can shoot like he did on 3s last season and 2s like in 2013-14, his value would increase in a hurry.
At 6-foot-8, Singler has pretty good size for a wing. He relies on that and his basketball IQ defensively, where he can be vulnerable against elite scorers. That might make it difficult for the Thunder to finish games with Singler alongside Kevin Durant. One possible alternative is a smaller lineup with Durant and Singler together at forward since both players have enough size to defend some power forwards. But Singler is a poor defensive rebounder for a wing, let alone a frontcourt player.
Anthony Morrow
Position: Guard
Experience: 7 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ One of the NBA's premier 3-point shooters who thrived playing with Oklahoma City's stars
+ Below-average ballhandler, not especially comfortable creating his own shot or as passer
+ Adequate defender; more easily hidden defensively in reserve role
Analysis
Ace sharpshooter Morrow seemed like a perfect fit when the Thunder signed him to a three-year, $10 million deal last summer, and that proved to be the case. Morrow shot 43.4 percent from beyond the arc, the best accuracy ever for an Oklahoma City player with at least 200 3-point attempts. Morrow finished in the NBA's top 10 in 3-point percentage for the fifth time in his seven NBA seasons, and he enters 2015-16 ninth in career 3-point percentage (42.9 percent).
There's not much mystery to Morrow's game. He attempted better than half his shots from downtown last season, remarkably the first time he has done so, and per Basketball-Reference.com, 97.2 percent of them (137 of 141) were assisted. Morrow has never handed out more than two assists per game, and he had the league's lowest turnover rate last season (5.5 percent of his plays). He's not paid to dribble or pass, just to get open and shoot the ball.
Defensive concerns have limited Morrow's minutes and are the primary reason he has started just 10 games the past three seasons. Though he has decent size for a shooting guard at 6-foot-5, Morrow is neither particularly strong nor quick. He can hold his own against backups but would be hard-pressed to match up with starters, especially on a team that wants to keep Durant from facing tough defensive assignments.
D.J. Augustin
Position: Guard
Experience: 7 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Veteran point guard who has historically been more effective as a starter
+ Capable outside shooter, average playmaker but rarely penetrates
+ Below-average defender, undersized for the position and not exceptionally quick
Analysis
Brandon Jennings' season-ending Achilles injury temporarily meant opportunity for Augustin. In 10 games as the Detroit Pistons' starter after Jennings went down, Augustin averaged 20.3 points and 8.2 assists in 34.4 minutes per game. Since leaving Charlotte, where he was a full-time starter his past two seasons, Augustin has been far more effective in a starting role. He has averaged 17.0 points and 6.9 assists per 36 minutes on a .602 true shooting percentage in 28 starts as compared to 13.9 points and 5.6 assists per 36 with a .530 TS percentage off the bench.
Alas, the Thunder will have to hope Augustin can succeed in a reserve role after acquiring him in the deadline deal that sent Reggie Jackson to the Pistons. In Oklahoma City, Augustin was almost strictly a spot-up shooter, taking more than half his shots from beyond the arc. He made them at just a 35.4 percent clip, though he's capable of more as a career 37.1 percent 3-point shooter. A non-creative playmaker, Augustin spent a lot of time off the ball while Dion Waiters ran the offense, an arrangement that may continue this season.
The biggest reason Augustin hasn't gotten a chance to start despite his performance in that role is that, well, he's small. At 6-foot, Augustin is undersized defensively, and while he battles in the post, he's a poor rebounder and generates few steals. ESPN's real plus-minus ranked him 81st out of 83 qualifying point guards defensively last season.
Nick Collison
Position: Forward
Experience: 11 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Heady veteran reserve who's slowing down as he enters his mid-30s
+ Attempting to make transition into stretch 4 but has yet to consistently make NBA 3s
+ Still effective as a position defender but neither a shot blocker nor a particularly good rebounder
Analysis
Seven years after the Thunder arrived in Oklahoma City, three players are left from the inaugural season: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Nick Collison, who enters his 13th year with the organization dating to its days in Seattle. Collison, who will turn 35 in October, has seen his playing time decline in recent seasons. Still, a two-year extension for $7.5 million ensured he'll remain with the Thunder through next season.
Having shot 21 3-pointers (and made one) in his first nine NBA campaigns, Collison took 17 in 2013-14 and 60 last year, accounting for nearly a quarter of his shot attempts. However, Collison still isn't making 3s at a high enough rate (26.7 percent in 2014-15) to force defenses to respect him. Whether related or not, last season was also the worst Collison shot on long 2-pointers (26.0 percent on attempts beyond 16 feet, per Basketball-Reference.com) since his rookie year. Though he's somewhat undersized and short on athleticism at this point, Collison remains a good finisher when he is around the basket.
Collison's main value has been at the defensive end. And without blocking shots (25 in 66 games) or grabbing many defensive rebounds, he's still a quality defender. Collison compensates with excellent positioning and a willingness to take charges (his 12 drawn ranked tied for 13th in the league, per NBAminer.com). That figures to continue to earn Collison playing time even with more competition in the frontcourt.
Mitch McGary
Position: Forward
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Hyper-energetic big man who was productive when given opportunity to play
+ Powerful finisher inside and presence on offensive glass. Can use either hand around basket
+ Center in a power forward's body. Below-average shot blocker. Good defensive rebounder
Analysis
While dealing with a broken bone in his foot and shin splints, McGary spent the first half of his rookie season as an exuberant cheerleader on the sidelines. When he got his chance to play, however, McGary took full advantage with a double-double (19 points, 10 boards) on ABC against the Clippers in his first extended minutes. He remained a productive reserve the rest of the season, though the arrival of the similar Kanter might squeeze McGary out of the 2015-16 rotation.
McGary plays like a bull in a china shop in the best possible sense. He's a frenzy of activity on the court, as if he just finished downing an energy drink, and his strength allows him to clear space. Having spent a lot of time in the high post at Michigan, McGary played closer to the basket in the NBA. Naturally left-handed, McGary also has a good right hand and used upfakes to create openings to shoot. He ended up making a strong 68.5 percent of his shots inside three feet, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
The defensive end will be key to McGary's development into a regular. He proved solid in terms of being in the right place at the right time. Alas, at 6-foot-10 and earthbound, McGary is unlikely to pose much threat as a rim protector. He proved much more effective defensively as a power forward despite giving up quickness to smaller 4s. McGary is a good defensive rebounder at either frontcourt position.
Cameron Payne
Position: Guard
Experience: Rookie
2015 draft profile
Scouting report
+ Long-limbed, pick-and-roll point guard who dominated mid-major competition
+ Capable outside shooter. Creative passer who finds teammates. Must improve at getting to basket and finishing
+ Slender frame. Excellent wingspan for a point guard allows him to come up with steals
Analysis
When Murray State lost Isaiah Canaan to the NBA, it was hard to imagine the Racers coming up with an upgrade at point guard. But that's what they found in Payne, a three-star recruit who blossomed into a lottery pick. Payne led the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring as a sophomore and was second in assists per game before declaring for the draft and going 14th overall to Oklahoma City. Expect him to mostly sit and watch this season before replacing D.J. Augustin as a backup point guard in 2015-16.
Murray State had the NCAA's 16th-best adjusted offensive efficiency last season, per KenPom.com, and Payne's ability to run the pick-and-roll was key. He has got a tight handle with the ability to change directions on the move, and he finds teammates. Payne has terrific court vision and the creativity to make use of it by finding teammates with flip passes. He's also a good enough outside shooter, even off the dribble, so defenders have to play close. But Payne rarely got all the way to the rim on his drives and generates few free throws, so he may not be an efficient NBA scorer unless he develops into a great 3-point shooter.
Concerns about Payne's size were one reason he was a mid-major recruit. He'll have to add strength to deal with NBA point guards. Still, his good wingspan (measured at 6-foot-7 and a quarter at the NBA draft combine) gives Payne defensive potential. His ability to reach in without getting too close helped Payne post a strong steal rate in college.
Steve Novak
Position: Forward
Experience: 9 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ One-dimensional 3-point shooter who has struggled to get on the court since leaving Knicks
+ Top catch-and-shoot player, particularly given his size. Rarely bothers taking 2s
+ Weak defender who lacks foot speed to match up with wings. Poor rebounder
Analysis
Taking on Novak's contract was part of the price of adding Kanter at the trade deadline for the Thunder. With Oklahoma City paying the luxury tax, another Novak trade to clear his salary from the books is likely to occur before this year's deadline. Two years removed from being a key part of the rotation on a Knicks team that won 54 games, Novak played just 197 minutes total last season between the Thunder and the Utah Jazz.
Novak's shooting skills haven't deteriorated. He shot 39.6 percent from 3-point range in limited minutes and is a career 43.1 percent shooter. But Novak's most recent three teams -- including the Toronto Raptors, who acquired him from New York before the 2013-14 season -- haven't seen that ability as justifying the trade-off defensively. Novak gets pounded inside by bigger opponents when he plays power forward, which is probably his best position, and he isn't quick enough to contain opposing small forwards off the dribble when he plays on the wing. So Novak hasn't played at all, and now that he's 32, his NBA days are probably numbered.
Josh Huestis
Position: Forward
Experience: Rookie
2014 draft profile
Scouting report
+ Aspiring 3-and-D specialist who struggled offensively during season spent in D-League
+ Not yet a consistent 3-point shooter. Should not be expected to create off the dribble
+ Has flashed potential as a wing defender. Good size, length and will block shots
Analysis
Because he agreed to spend his first season out of college in the D-League, Huestis has gotten more attention than the typical 29th overall pick. The plan played out as both Huestis and Oklahoma City anticipated, and he signed his NBA rookie contract this summer after playing all of 2014-15 with the Oklahoma City Blue in the D-League. His performance at that level offered little indication Huestis will be ready to help the Thunder any time soon.
Huestis' path to an NBA rotation is developing into a 3-and-D specialist. He hasn't yet posed a threat beyond the 3-point line. Huestis was a career 31.9 percent shooter from the college line, and he shot 31.6 percent at the D-League level, taking nearly 60 percent of his shots from downtown. Other than transition, Huestis doesn't have a consistent way of scoring without making 3s since he's not a good ballhandler for a wing. He does show more promise defensively, where his size (6-foot-7), long arms and athleticism are all pluses. Huestis is a good shot blocker from the perimeter (1.7 per 36 minutes in the D-League) and could well develop into a stopper. For now, he's far behind Roberson on the defensive specialist depth chart.