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How Could Payton Sandfort Earn A Standard Contract With The Thunder?
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- How Could Payton Sandfort Earn A Standard Contract With The Thunder?
(Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images)
Payton Sandfort 's biggest challenge with the Oklahoma City Thunder isn't going to be figuring out how to become a star, it's going to be figuring out how to stand out on a roster full of young players who are all trying to prove they belong.
For Sandfort, that means turning his shooting into something the Thunder can rely on while showing he can bring enough to the table in other areas to keep himself on the floor. His path to a full roster spot isn't going to come from doing everything. It's going to come from becoming really good at the things Oklahoma City needs from him.
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The easiest place to start is with his shot.
Sandfort can shoot the basketball, and that's the skill that gives him a chance. At 6-foot-7, having a reliable three point shot makes him an interesting option as a bigger wing. But it's one thing to be a good shooter and another thing to be someone defenses can't afford to leave alone.
That's where Sandfort has to take another step. He needs to become comfortable shooting from anywhere on the floor, especially when the ball finds him in the corners or on the perimeter. He also needs to get better at shooting on the move. If he can run off a screen, relocate after making a pass or quickly get into his shot, he'll be much harder to take away.
Shooting alone probably won't be enough though.
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The biggest question for Sandfort is going to be whether he can defend well enough to stay on the floor. He doesn't have to turn into an All-Defensive player. He just can't be the guy opponents immediately look for when they want an easy matchup attacking over and over while he's on the floor.
For the Thunder, that means doing the little things right over and over. Stay in front of your man. Make the rotation. Talk on defense. Contest without fouling. Don't fall asleep off the ball. None of that is particularly flashy, but those are the things that get young players noticed and trusted.
Getting stronger could help him in a lot of those areas. More strength would allow him to handle physical wings, fight through contact and hold his own defensively. It could also make him a better rebounder, which is another way he can contribute when his shot isn't falling.
Offensively, Sandfort doesn't need to force himself into being a shot creator. That's probably one of the most important things for him to understand.
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The Thunder already have plenty of players who can create offense. Sandfort's job would be to make their lives easier.
If he's open, shoot it. If the defender closes hard, attack the closeout. If another defender rotates over, make the extra pass. If there's an open lane, cut. It's really that simple. The more comfortable Sandfort becomes making those quick decisions, the more valuable he becomes.
He also has to take advantage of his opportunities with the Oklahoma City Blue. Those games are where he can show that he's more than just a shooter. Rebound, defend, and make plays. Be aggressive without forcing things. Show that when his number is called, he's ready.
And then there are the things that don't show up in the box score.
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Sprint back on defense. Dive for loose balls. Box out. Make the extra rotation. Be in the right spot. Encourage teammates. Stay engaged when you're not playing.
Those things matter, especially on a Thunder team that has plenty of young players competing for opportunities. Sandfort doesn't need to convince Oklahoma City that he's a future star. He just needs to convince them that he's worth keeping around.
If he can become a reliable shooter who holds his own defensively, rebounds his position and consistently makes the right play, he'll give the Thunder a reason to believe he can eventually earn that full roster spot.
At this point, it's less about proving he can do everything and more about proving that the things he does well can actually help the Thunder win.
