Although generally bleak, the tanking seasons for the OKC Thunder allowed the team to obtain an ocean of promising prospects.
So many, in fact, to the point where positive contributors found themselves stuck on the end of Oklahoma City's bench, despite possessing obvious talent.
The rotation became harder to crack as the Thunder grew into true contenders. However, if given a proper role, many of these young, overlooked ballers could have wound up making a substantial difference on the hardwood.
There are three guys, in particular, who may have had limited roles during their time in OKC, but are prime examples of this aforementioned sentiment, as they are shining in their new homes.
1. Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers
Fortunately, former Thunder guard Ty Jerome is flourishing in his new environment. Last seen with OKC in the 2021-22 season, Jerome has bounced around the league for a few years before finding his true home out in Cleveland.
The 27-year-old is amid a breakout year with the Cavs, hitting career highs in points (11.4), assists (3.4), and steals (1.3) per game.
The deep ball that was seen during his debut Thunder season has taken a leap to an elite level at 49.3 percent from deep, the fourth-highest mark in the league this season.
This tremendous output has been noticed around the league to the point where he now owns the fourth-best odds for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Jerome actually played more minutes per game with Oklahoma City than he is now with Cleveland. However, the minutes he's logging for the NBA's top seed are the most meaningful of his young career.
The combo guard has been elite and efficient both as the lead backup guard and a spot starter.
2. Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets
The Florida product was drafted 18th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Thunder. Tre Mann quickly drew fans' attention with his flashy style of play.
Unfortunately for him, as the team became more ready to compete, he saw himself eventually fall out of the rotation, averaging only 9.2 minutes per game in 13 appearances during the first half of the 2023-24 season.
Mann was then packaged in a trade to the Charlotte Hornets at the 2024 trade deadline.
Making the most of his new-found opportunity, he's officially thrust himself into the national media spotlight.
Since arriving in Charlotte, the youngster has grabbed the attention of new and previous generations of basketball fans alike. His street-ball style of play on the court to his baggy clothing attire off of it has led to many comparisons to past legends like Allen Iverson.
The flashes that were seen during his time with OKC have helped turn him into a consistent rotation player with Charlotte. Logging career highs in minutes (24.5) and points (14.1), Mann is proving that his bag runs extensively deep.
3. Lindy Waters III, Golden State Warriors
The hometown hero officially left Oklahoma for the first time in his basketball career this season.
Debuting with the OKC Blue in October of 2021, Lindy Waters III bounced between the G-League and main roster throughout the next three seasons.
By the end of his tenure, Thunder fans recognized him as a premiere sharpshooter on the squad. He rattled home 37.7 percent of his shots from deep during his time in the Sooner State.
Unfortunately, despite his outward promise, it seemed as if he could never carve out a consistent spot in the rotation.
Some nights he'd log 20 minutes, others would be a DNP.
So, in the 2024 offseason, Waters III was traded to the Golden State Warriors, a team widely known for their shooting.
In 17 games this season, he's already found himself slotting into the title contender's starting lineup on eight separate occasions, while ranking top-10 on the team in minutes per game at 17.3.
Waters' ability to relocate at the arc and run around screens has helped him fit in seamlessly with the Dubs, and is why the ex-Thunder prospect is now a consistent cog within Steve Kerr's rotation.