Terrance Ferguson Agrees to Four-Year Rookie Contract

According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, Thunder rookie Terrance Ferguson has agreed to his four-year rookie scale contract with Oklahoma City. After missing summer league play, he will be clear to attend training camp in September.

While it has long been expected Ferguson would sign his deal ahead of training camp, the agreement marks the end of a waiting period that lasted 35 days — longer than any other first round selection. After playing internationally last season for the Adelaide 36ers, the 19-year-old shooting guard struggled to gain clearance from FIBA. That clearance finally came on July 14 — making way for this agreement nearly two weeks later.

Although Ferguson will be with the team when training camp opens, he did miss valuable experience at Orlando Pro Summer League. As he’s extremely young and undeveloped, any opportunity to get familiar with NBA-level talent is important in his development. It’s unclear if he will now join his teammates in Los Angeles for involuntary workouts, but there is ground to make up on his part. Luckily for Ferguson, he should have plenty of time to learn the ropes.

It’s expected Ferguson will spend time with the Thunder’s G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, as he adjusts to the rising level of competition. On a team that’s not in immediate need of assistance on the wing, GM Sam Presti will likely give him all the time he needs to build his frame and work on the 3-and-D components that will be required of his game in the future. In terms of what he will bring to the table this season, there is little to suggest he will receive much run with the active roster.

Ferguson averaged just 4.6 points on 31 percent three-point shooting in Australia last season, but perfectly fits the length/shooting/defense mold that Presti covets. Getting his name on the contract was part of the battle, but there is much work remaining from here.

Highlights from last season: