Thunder waive ex-starter Aleksej Pokusevski

Field Level Media|published: Fri 23rd February, 10:47 2024

Dec 11, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) shoot a three-point basket as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski (17) defends during the second half at Paycom Center. credits: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday waived forward Aleksej Pokusevski, a former starter and the No. 17 overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Pokusevski started 25 of his 34 games in an injury-shortened 2022-23 season and averaged 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists. But after forearm and ankle injuries limited his practice time in the summer, the 22-year-old Serbian couldn't crack the lineup this season.

He has played in just 10 games, averaging 6.0 minutes, 1.2 points and a single rebound per game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Pokusevski in the 2020 draft, and they flipped the 7-footer two days later to Oklahoma City as part of a three-team trade.

In 150 career games (65 starts), Pokusevski has averages of 7.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

The Thunder enter play Friday one game behind the first-place Timberwolves in the Western Conference.

—Field Level Media