Aleksej Pokusevski: Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 12% of leagues

ANALYSIS: The 17-39 Oklahoma City Thunder have had to lean on creativity and optimism for the future in managing their 2021-22 roster. Without the playoffs being in the cards for OKC, many of their budding talents have spent significant time honing their game at the G League-level; but with Mike Muscala, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all sidelined (at least) until after the All-Star break, it came time for a little more trial by fire, a challenge that Aleksej Pokusevski quickly rose to. The 20-year-old Serbian measures 7'0 tall, 7'3 in wingspan, and 190-lb., and depending on what platform you use, you might find him eligible anywhere from SG/SF to PF/C, which fits with Pokusevski's wide-ranging skillset.

The 17th overall draft pick from 2020 has totaled 34 games played (25.1 MP) for the G League OKC Blue over the last two years, netting 7.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.9 blocks per game with 32 of 139 shooting from three (23%) and improvements in his field goal, free throw, effective field goal, and true shooting percentages during this campaign. Pokusevski's 2022 NBA stint started with shooting struggles and positional uncertainty towards the ultra-raw, unusually gifted prospect, resulting in his G League assignment from 1/9 to 2/5. Upon return, he has looked totally revitalized, putting up 52 points (13.0), 23 boards (5.8), five assists (1.3), four steals (1.0), and six blocks (1.5) through his first four games back in NBA action. He's been sharp from the field too, hitting both of his attempted FTs, 21 of 34 field goals (61.8%), and eight of 16 from deep (50%), adding to his improved true shooting and effective field goal rates of 46.4%/45.8% respectively.

He's playing 25.5 minutes per contest so far in February with two games of 30+ MP, wherein which he produced 16.5 points, 5.0 boards, a 127 ORtg off some lights-out shooting, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks in each. His competition for front court/hybrid PT isn't super stiff, but if he has truly turned a corner in his development, sharing the floor with OKC's current cast won't be a hinderance: he's among team leaders in efficiency across every major statistical category with the ball-handling ability to tackle any position. Even at 20-25 MP, Aleksej Pokusevski now offers above-average passing and three-point shooting for his size/position, enough rebounding to get your weekly forward fill, and quick-handed defense from all locations, so with a "Unicorn" repertoire like that, he could be a colossal difference maker for folks in deeper formats.

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