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Thunder sign Josh Huestis

Thunder sign Josh Huestis
NBAE/Getty

NBAE/Getty

After a year of waiting, Josh Huestis is finally an NBA player.

The Thunder announced they have signed Huestis, a first-round draft pick in 2014, to a four-year, rookie-scale contract.

“We are excited to add Josh to our roster as he allows us to continue to increase our depth through his athleticism and versatility,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. “Josh knows our culture and our organization as a result of his time with the Blue, and we look forward to his continued development with the Thunder.”

Huestis was selected 29th overall in 2014 but became the first “domestic draft-and-stash” after working out a predraft arrangement with the Thunder to not sign his guaranteed rookie-scale deal, which would have paid him $918,000 last season. (If you’re unfamiliar with the unique situation, read here.) Instead, Huestis spent the season with the Thunder’s D-League affiliate, making roughly $25,000.

With Huestis signing now, he will be under the 2015 rookie scale and make $950,200 this season.

The arrangement was certainly strange, but mutually beneficial. Huestis wouldn’t have been a first round pick last season, and now is making first round money, but just a year later (and a little more, to boot). And he’s betting on a year of development helping him have a chance to get a second contract later on.

Will he have any kind of an impact this season? Very unlikely. In fact, he may just end up being right back where he was last season in the D-League, although much more well paid. Huestis didn’t exactly make any significant developmental jumps last season. He was solid defensively and a very active intangible guy, but his offense and shooting left quite a bit to be desired.

With Huestis, the Thunder now have 15 guaranteed contracts on their roster.