I remember a few Thunder fans calling for Presti to bring in Shaun Livingston and that’s exactly what happened. From NewsOK:
Livingston, the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft, chipped in six points and three assists in just over 18 minutes of playing time as the Tulsa 66ers dropped their eighth straight decision with a 99-96 loss to Rio Grande Valley in an NBA Development League game.
The Thunder has an open roster spot due to waiving Joe Smith, but who knows if Presti will try to bring Livingston up to the Thunder before the end of the year. He did suffer a horrific knee injury just two years ago that forced him to basically re-learn how to walk. But he was a top five talent and a potential solid contributor at point guard and if he’s healthy, there’s no way he’d hurt the Thunder at back-up point guard (I’m not saying anything about anyone specific… but I think you catch my drift). I know I wouldn’t mind seeing him on the roster by the end of the year.
He is definitely long.
That's where I saw someone calling for Livingston. I couldn't remember where. Hey, Joe and I talked in a podcast about Thabo back in early December and how we liked him. Maybe we're all actually running this team and we don't know it...
Something to be made clear about this: Livingston was not signed by the Thunder and placed on the 66ers. He was brought in by the 66ers and can be picked up by any team. OKC obviously has the upper hand here because we're scouting him and will have "first dibs" so to speak, but he's not a Thunder player yet.
Has Presti been reading my column?
Watson in his second year was equal to Livingston's best to date. Not that they are similar in style but just using as a example that whatever the expectation of talent a young healthy Livingston was in the same range as almost as young Watson.
Livingston was a top 4 pick but that was a lot of a guess about potential.
His 3rd and best season he shot a bit worse overall than Watson did as a rookie, though was a far better passer and a bit better rebounder. He has never shown a 3 pt game in the NBA. He was about league mean on PER.
That was his best to date healthy but still 21.
He might fit with Westbrook, Livingston playing PG on offense and SG on defense.
Take a look if you want. If you see enough of a chance maybe you get him signed cheap for 2-3 years with a team option in there to allow a release cheaper if it doesn't work out. the body type and PG instincts are attractive. Depends what he is really at and where he can really get back to.
I was just looking through the old Thunderguru archives and we saw him in December. Then I wrote that he looked good for Miami and seemed completely healed. I am surprised he's not on a big league roster right now from what I saw then.
I don't think anybody has his rights or anything; so what the hey? Come on up to OKC.