THE FLATS – Josh Okogie could be primed for breakout season in Phoenix … Marcus Georges-Hunt signs with team in Kuwait following G League season … Could Derrick Favors be fighting for a roster spot in OKC? … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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OKOGIE FEATURED AMONG 2022-23 BREAKOUT HOPEFULS
The Phoenix Suns core of Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton is back for yet another season even though there was some skepticism surrounding the futures of Bridges, Crowder and Ayton in trade talks for Kevin Durant. Nonetheless, this team is almost exactly the same and will once again be a title contender in the Western Conference.
The changes Phoenix made though were to their bench, as the team added Damion Lee, Jock Landale and former first-round pick Josh Okogie. While he may not necessarily have a breakout, career-year like others featured on this list, Okogie will be utilized by the Suns as a strong wing defender.
Possessing a 7-foot wingspan as a 6-4 wing, Josh Okogie is the perfect type of player for the Suns to utilize in their second-unit for defensive purposes. Monty Williams is a smart, defensive-minded coach, Mikal Bridges is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and there are plenty of other smart, veteran defenders on this roster, which is why Okgoie will be able to settle in early on and learn more about how to be a high-impact defensive player over the course of the year. Getting offensive production from him, specifically from the three-point line, would be an added bonus for Phoenix.
Josh Okogie could see a nice year in Phoenix 💪https://t.co/6Hfvmzg69v
— InsideTheSuns.com (@InsideTheSunsSI) August 1, 2022
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GEORGES-HUNT SIGNS WITH TEAM IN KUWAIT
HoopsHype.com reports that Marcus Georges-Hunt, who played last season with the College Park Skyhawks in the G League, has signed to play with Kuwait SC for the 2022-23 season.
Check out the best of Marcus Georges-Hunt 🦍
– – – – –#TrueToTheSouthside pic.twitter.com/su7p2JT5nj— College Park Skyhawks (@CPSkyhawks) May 11, 2022
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COULD FAVORS BE FIGHTING FOR A ROSTER SPOT?
At 31 years old, Derrick Favors is unlike the other current Thunder players that could be elsewhere next season. He’s a key veteran in the locker room and one of only two players over the age of 30.
Alongside rookie Chet Holmgren, Favors could actually be impactful next season in a mentorship role and also as a frontcourt partner on the floor. The veteran big didn’t play a ton last season, but was extremely efficient when he was on the court. He produced 11.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per 36 minutes during the 2021-22 campaign.
While he was a solid contributor on the court in limited action, he’s not a player many teams will be willing to give up an asset for. However, he’s on a roughly $10.2 million expiring contract that could be useful for Oklahoma City.
Favors flurry 🪣🪣@dfavors14 | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/wqVnHN31uC
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) November 11, 2021
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