In July, the Oklahoma City Thunder added a veteran player to their roster by signing forward Patrick Patterson. Unfortunately, there is a possibility that Patterson would be unable to join the team in the upcoming training camp. He underwent a medical procedure last month to address a knee injury and is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.
However, Patterson is optimistic that he is going to be ready for the Thunder by the time the 2017-18 NBA season opens. The 28-year-old shared this in a report by The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City's new campaign begins on October 19 with a home game versus the New York Knicks.
Before Patterson headed to Oklahoma City, he played for the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, and the Toronto Raptors. In the previous season, suiting up for the Raptors, he averaged 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, in 24.6 minutes per contest.
Bigger role
For the majority of Patterson's seven-season career in the NBA, he took on the backup job. That is likely to change now that he is in Oklahoma City. A report by ESPN mentioned that once he is cleared to see action, he is projected to be the Thunder's starting power forward. It will be a challenge for him since it is a new role, though it is also an opportunity to prove his worth to the franchise.
The players who could join Patterson at the position are Jerami Grant, Kyle Singler, and Josh Huestis.
Nick Collison, the longest-tenured player on the roster, can also take some of the minutes at No. 4. Thunder head coach Billy Donovan may also use Enes Kanter as a power forward at times, even if he is naturally a center.
Alex Abrines update
Another Thunder player who might be out in training camp aside from Patterson is Alex Abrines.
The 24-year-old hurt his right knee playing for Spain in the 2017 EuroBasket. In a separate report by The Oklahoman, Abrines stated that there is no longer pain in the knee. Despite this, the team still limits his activities because an MRI revealed a bruised bone.
Abrines had 66 appearances (six starts) for Oklahoma City last season, his rookie year.
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard averaged 6.0 points and 1.3 rebounds a game. In the new season, he will remain a part of the second unit for the Thunder. He is going to be the backup to defensive specialist Andre Roberson. The third man on the depth chart at their position is Terrance Ferguson, who the franchise selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
