OKC Blue: Paul Watson Jr. Stuck in G League Cycle, Competition on the Horizon

Following months of sitting on the hot seat, Paul Watson Jr. has reached the boiling point.

After ranking second-lowest league-wide from distance (33.9%) last season – the Oklahoma City Thunder were in much need of perimeter play. Thunder GM Sam Presti looked to expand upon the perimeter, resigning Mike Muscala while drafting sharpshooters in Tre Mann and Aaron Wiggins who shot 40% and 36% at the collegiate level, respectively.

With this segment of perimeter-centric moves leading into the summer, the expectation for Presti’s blueprint consisted of running things back with a young-infused roster. He opted to make one more move, waiving a then 20-year-old Josh Hall for a then 26-year-old Watson Jr.

On the surface, the idea of scrapping a lengthy point forward for a solidified veteran seemed perplexing leading into the year. However, with Watson Jr.’s career 40.9% three-point clip, coupled with a 46.9% output last season – the move looked to be a step in the right direction for spacing.

Fifty games into the year, Watson Jr.’s plan had not stuck to the script. He’s on the cusp of a month since his last performance – and the talent pool is heating up.

Watson Jr.’s Thunder campaign has been bleak, as in the 27-year-old’s nine games (three starts) this season, he’s posted averages of 3.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists across 17.4 minutes. As for efficiency, he’s also struggled to find his touch shooting 34.3% from the floor and 23.1% from deep on 2.9 tries per game.

To make the case even more intriguing, the forward’s last NBA appearance came 29 days ago in a 30-point thrashing by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played the game’s final four minutes.

At the G League level, a similar cloud has hung over the guard in nine regular season games. In the sample, Watson Jr. has placed a tally of 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 25.8 minutes. In addition, the forward has clocked in 2.3 turnovers while shooting 30.2% from three.

Watson Jr. averaged 13.0 points across 12.0 field goal attempts in eight Winter Showcase qualifying games. He shot 29.8% from distance in his octet of showings.

The 6-foot-6 forward has been thrusted into late-game rotations. However, he’s been relegated to a second-unit role, playing behind Melvin Frazier Jr. and Lindy Waters III, who have both settled as starters.

Now, a member of Oklahoma City’s current infantry is gunning for his spot – Mamadi Diakite.