The Thunder selected Huestis in the first round of the 2014 National Basketball Association Draft, but the 23-year-old opted not to take his guaranteed rookie-scale deal and played for the club’s D-League affiliate. I think it was the best decision that I could make in terms of my own career.
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It’s been over a year in the making, but Great Falls native and former CMR star Josh Huestis is officially an National Basketball Association player, as the Oklahoma City Thunder have signed the forward to a contract. I think having an opportunity to play in the D-League for a year has really taught me a lot and has prepared me to move forward in my career.
Josh Huestis’ draft gamble has finally paid off.
Agent Toby Bailey said Huestis’ contract, announced Thursday, includes two guaranteed seasons at $1 million each and two option years. He instead earned a typical D-League salary, about $25,000. He became the first “domestic draft-and-stash” after working out a pre-draft arrangement with the Thunder.
“We are excited to add Josh to our roster as he allows us to continue to increase our depth through his athleticism and versatility”, Sam Presti, Thunder general manager, said. His defense has always been one of his strong suits, but his keys to a few playing time for the Thunder will be further developing his shot and finding his place in an National Basketball Association lineup. He averaged 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 assists in 33.1 minutes per game for the Blue, shooting just 37.2 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from 3-point land despite taking more than six attempts per game.
Huestis has sat out most of the team’s summer activities, including summer league, because of a torn pectoral muscle suffered in the weight room in May.
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With the signing of Huestis, the Thunder’s roster now stands at the maximum of 15 players.
