Good news for Thunder fans! The franchise intends to keep the youth movement alive in Oklahoma City. The team has just exercised its third year option on big man Steven Adams and forward Andre Roberson including fourth-year options on forward Perry Jones and guard Jeremy Lamb. The move was announced on Wednesday by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti, per NBA.com's Thunder News Release.
Among the players that the Thunder have exercised their options with, Steven Adams holds the most upside. He has every quality to become something that the Thunder haven't seen in their center position for a long time - a dominant big man who can have a big impact on both ends of the floor. Adams has already become one of the more famous names in the Thunder line-up among fans thanks to his physical, energetic style of play. He is an aggressive rebounder and a solid defender but could become even something more special this coming season if he becomes Russell Westbrook's dance partner in the pick-and-roll game.
Jeremy Lamb, on the other hand, holds the most intrigue. He easily could have been the Thunder's next James Harden coming off the bench after a promising rookie season. Despite his talent and potential though, Lamb hasn't blossomed to the kind of player that many expected him to be. Perhaps this coming season would be the breakout year that he has been looking for in his career? No one knows for sure but he does have a lot to prove in the Thunder's 2014-15 campaign according to Andrew Gilman of Fox Spots:
You have to expect Jeremy Lamb is going to get lots of opportunities this season, but this may be his last real chance to prove himself. Lamb is in the mix for the starting No. 2 guard, but went just 4-of-28 on 3-pointers this exhibition season. Who knows if Lamb is already pressing too much. He's a career 42.4 percent shooter and just a 35 percent shooter on 3-pointers. He'll have to improve on those numbers this year as well as his habit of taking too many bad shots. Even with a healthy Durant, Lamb would have had a lot of eyes on him this season. Now, the third-year player has even more reason to try and impress.
OKC needs Steven Adams and Jeremy Lamb to help Russell Westbrook hold the fort until Durant returns sometime in December. This is also the year for them to shine and show everyone that they are the next line of talent in Oklahoma Basketball.
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