Tre Mann Playing With a Sense of Urgency in Summer League
Tre Mann started off Summer League with a bang behind an emphatic poster dunk and a 20-point explosion in Salt Lake City. He looked much more comfortable on the court and exemplified much of what made him a promising player as a rookie. It looked like the microwave guard had his swagger back.
Obviously, Summer League outings won’t tell the full story, and decisions won’t be made solely based on Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. But for a player like Mann, these games matter — and he needs to continue making the most of them.
Oklahoma City drafted Cason Wallace with the No. 10 pick in last month’s draft, and signed Vasilije Micić just days after — two instant impact guards that will fight for playing time. Currently, the Thunder have 19 players on the roster and a majority of those players can handle the ball. It’s not an issue, as the team has until October to trim the roster down, but any positive impact a guard like Mann makes could go a long ways in determining cuts and securing a roster spot.
The 6-foot-5 Florida product averaged 10.1 points per game on 36% from 3-point range his first season in the NBA and showcased his scoring ability on multiple occasions, torching teams from all over the court. Mann’s production and opportunities tailed off during his Sophomore season, dipping to 7.7 points per game on 39.3% from the floor and 31.5% from 3-point range. As Oklahoma City’s young team rapidly improved and geared up for a postseason run, Mann’s spot in the rotation dwindled and he struggled to find his footing on the floor.
Monday night, though, Mann showed flashes of what made his game so intriguing in year one. He built on his last game of the regular season, where he poured in 24 points, 12 assists and 12 rebounds while the team’s core rested ahead of the Play-In Tournament. In extended opportunities, Mann is able to play through mistakes and prove his worth.
Even on a team full of guards, a player like Mann should have a spot on the roster. His space creation and smooth jump shot is impossible to teach in the NBA, and once it clicks, there’s no looking back. When he’s playing efficient basketball, he’s the perfect backup guard for a team like the Thunder. Oklahoma City needs scoring off the bench, and Mann can provide just that.
His second season in the NBA wasn’t ideal, especially with all of the improvement around him. But giving up on the talented youngster now could prove to be a big mistake down the line. Hanging on to Mann, at least for another season, seems like the smart thing to do.
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