Can Tre Mann Get Back in the OKC Thunder's Rotation?

Tre Mann lost his spot in the rotation last season, but he has a chance to earn it back in 2023-24.

After a turbulent 2022-23 season, Tre Mann is on the outside of the Thunder rotation, but it’s not too late for him to change that.

The Oklahoma City Thunder guard is heading into his third season and likely needs to make some improvements to stick around long-term. Mann’s defense has always been an area of concern with his 6-foot-3, 184-pound frame, but even a slight improvement there could be massive.

Because of the personnel around him, Mann’s focus defensively should be to fit within the Thunder’s scheme effectively. Ultimately, Mann does not need to transform into an above-average defensive player, though that would be ideal. For next season, he just needs to avoid being a liability.

Assuming he can give solid defensive possessions, Mann must work on his efficiency. Like many other young players with his playstyle, Mann is a streaky scorer who turns to isolation a little too often.

Nearly 60% of Mann’s field goals last season were unassisted, with only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finishing with a higher percentage on the Thunder. That rate can be partially excused since he is a primary ball handler when he’s on the floor. Still, that number needs to drop.

Along with cutting down on iso ball, Mann’s shot selection needs adjustments. After shooting 36% from 3-point range in his rookie season, he may have fallen in love with the deep shot too much.

Last season, Mann took over half of his shots from beyond the arc but made only 31.5% of his looks from there. While most of those makes came from assists, his percentage tanked because he often settled for deep shots instead of getting closer looks.

Since Mann opted for jumpers rather than driving the ball, he got to the free-throw line at a lower rate than he did as a rookie. However, drawing fouls is something a player as crafty as Mann should have no trouble with.

If he can take some notes from Gilgeous-Alexander, Mann could easily boost his efficiency by getting to the free-throw line. Not only would that help him, but it would also help the Thunder’s offense, which can become stagnant when the starters get some rest.

It would be unrealistic to expect Mann to fix all of his faults going into next season. But if he can tailor his game toward what Oklahoma City needs, he has a solid chance to play quality minutes.

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