Josh Huestis Signs Rookie Deal With Thunder — National Basketball Association Trade News

The Thunder announced they have signed Huestis, a first-round draft pick in 2014, to a four-year, rookie-scale contract.

That $32,200 initial pay bump came at a cost, though.

Huestis was selected 29th overall in 2014 but became the first “domestic draft-and-stash” after working out a pre-draft arrangement with the Thunder to not sign his guaranteed rookie-scale deal, which would have paid him $918,000 last season. It was a money-saving move for the Thunder that also allowed them to save an extra roster spot that they otherwise would have had to open up for their first-round pick. It kept the Thunder’s jam-packed and expensive roster from veering into luxury-tax territory. With mentorship from one of the best small forwards in the game in Kevin Durant, Huestis will definitely take the advice and carry it forward in his career.

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Despite his down year in the D-League, the Thunder have high hopes for the 23-year-old.

Huestis’ D-League numbers were modest: 10.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game with a 37.2 percent clip from the field.

Huestis made a fraction of what National Basketball Association players do with the Blue, but he was closely monitored by the Thunder. Bring on the redshirt rookie, then! The 6-foot-7 forward sat out summer league this year due to a torn pectoral injury, Real GM reported. For another, he profiles as a defense-first, shoot-from-the-corners-occasionally guard/small forward who doesn’t offer much versatility… and the Thunder already have a more athletic and experienced guy like that, in incumbent starter Andre Roberson. If nothing else, the 23-year-old Thunderer doesn’t seem to have any regrets himself.

“I think it was a great decision”, Huestis told The Oklahoman earlier this month. He said: “I think it was a great decision”.