OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- Kyle Singler has himself a long-term deal with the Thunder. Singler agreed Wednesday afternoon on a five-year, $25 million contract with Oklahoma City.
General Manager Sam Presti of OKC noted re-signing Singler was one of his top priorities for this 2015 offseason. After snatching up the Duke product along with big man Enes Kanter in a three-way trade before the deadline with the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City have solidified their rotation at the 3 slot, now with Singler, Perry Jones III, and Kevin Durant on the roster for at least another year.
The 6'8", 26 year-old Singler played a total of 26 games for the Thunder in 2015, starting 18 and racking up 17.5 minutes per game in Loud City. He finished his 2015 campaign with OKC having recorded 3.7 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, while his shooting stroke was not in its usual form. Hitting one third of your shots in never the sign of a good season or fraction of a season.
Detroit drafted Singler with the 33rd selection in the 2012 NBA Draft, and ever since he has filled the role of a solid reserve player. 2013-2014 was the peak of his three NBA seasons thus far, as he averaged career-highs of 28.5 minutes, 9.6 points, 44.7% field goal shooting, and 82.6% free throw shooting.
Now Sam Presti is left with negotiating a new deal for Enes Kanter, the Turkish big man who was traded to OKC in the same trade as Singler. Kanter is a free agent this summer, and the Thunder have tabbed him the utter-highest priority for their 2015 offseason.
It has been reported that Kanter and Oklahoma City are close to an agreement on terms, but no official deal has been inked between the two sides.
After signing Singler, undrafted FA Michael Qualls, and draft picks Cameron Payne and Dakari Johnson, all that is obviously left for the Thunder is re-signing Kanter. These under-the-radar moves will make a monumental impact, especially for the relatively small portion of the budget that they take up.