Player Preview: Money is on the line for Josh Okogie
Josh Okogie is a great defender, but it’ll be important for him to take steps offensively if he wants to earn a payday this offseason.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a lot of players who are in line for contract extensions or in the final year of their deal. Since a deal didn’t get done before the Oct. 18 deadline, Okogie will have to play well if he wants to earn a big payday. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
After playing two seasons at Georgia Tech, he was drafted with the 20th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. At the time, Tom Thibodeau was in charge and saw Okogie as a player who can play hard-nosed defense.
After playing three years in the league, we know what he is defensively, but his offense still needs work.
He’s one of the best defenders on this roster and there’s a reason they call him non-stop.
This is easily the best defensive play of his career. Okogie has a lot of value on this roster because he can be the point of the attack defender or play power forward.
For Okogie to take that next step in his career, he will have to knock down open 3s or became a reliable offensive weapon.
Last season he averaged 5.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, with shooting splits of .402/.269/.769. His free throw percentage is average, but that’s about the only thing you can say. If Okogie can eliminate 3s from the top of the key or the left wing, his percentage will be much improved.
A quote from Okogie that stood out during the Timberwolves media day was regarding his desire to shoot the open shot:
“Bottom line is just making shots. That’s literally what I’ve been working my whole Summer on. Training to do is being able to make the open shots and be able to make a shot when the ball is in my hand.”
We’ll see if his work over the offseason translates to success this season. Defenses in the past have left Okogie wide open and double-teamed the Wolves’ best player.
Okogie’s made it clear he wants to be in Minnesota, but he’ll leave the contract situation up to his agent:
“I would love to be here. Minnesota’s who drafted me, and I’m still here, and I kind of fell in love with the city.”
This tweet had a lot of engagement, and there wasn’t one person that would offer Okogie this kind of money. If he becomes a reliable 3-and-D player, then maybe a deal around this framework works. Until then, the most he’d ever get is $10 million.
It’s important to note that John Hollinger of The Athletic explains that the model to determine a player’s value is higher on those who play better defense.
This will be the most important season for Okogie, and if he can improve offensively, the Wolves front office won’t hesitate to offer him a contract.
