San Antonio Spurs: Josh Huestis invited to Spurs training camp

Former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Josh Huestis received a San Antonio Spurs training camp invitation. What are the chances he makes the team?

Boston Celtics beat writer Fred Katz reported on Twitter that former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Josh Huestis received an invitation to attend training camp with the Silver and Black. He became a free agent this summer as the Thunder declined his fourth-year option worth $2.2 million last season.

Josh Huestis has secured a training camp invite with the Spurs, per a source.

— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) September 5, 2018

The 26-year-old was drafted by the Thunder with the 29th pick in the 2014 NBA draft. He immediately joined the Thunder’s NBA G League team, the Oklahoma City Blue, and struggled to find any offensive consistency during his first year (37% FG, 31% 3P, 10 ppg, 33 mpg.) However, he displayed sound defensive abilities and appeared sporadically for the Thunder through the next season (2.7 defensive box plus/minus or DBPM.)

He saw improvements to his offense during his third year in the G League (44 FG%, 38 3P%, 14.6 ppg, 32 mpg), was rewarded with an NBA call-up, and spent the entire 2017-2018 season with the Thunder.

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Huestis played 69 games last season in 14 minutes per game of work and struggled to find any offensive rhythm throughout the campaign. He was mainly inserted into the lineup for defensive purposes, typically replacing Carmelo Anthony as he offered more stability on that side of the floor.

He started in 10 games and showed promise when given the opportunity in a heavy Westbrook-centric offensive scheme.

Huestis could become a solid player for the Spurs if the team chooses to give him a look. His defensive numbers should drastically improve under Coach Popovich as he has enhanced the defensive abilities of players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Marco Belinelli, and even Richard Jefferson. Josh is way ahead defensively of where those players stood before joining the team.

His chances of making the team are not the best. The Spurs currently stand at 18 players vying to make the 15-man roster, with nine of those players occupying the guard position, and five forwards.

Huestis would provide consistent defense along with a three-point threat as he could turn into the highly coveted three-and-D type of player. If not for the pro squad, Huestis could continue his development with the Austin Spurs before getting his break with the NBA once again, like many before him.