Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault announced before the team’s game against the LA Clippers that Darius Bazley will be coming off the bench.
Daigneault mentioned that the move is not a permanent decision and it is a fluid situation but says that the decision was not a reactionary one. Daigneault cites that this move could help bring the best out of Bazley — who has been inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball as he has averaged 8.5 on 43.1 effective field goal percentage and 6.3 rebounds in 27 starts this season.
Bazley was informed of the decision this morning by Daigneault and took it surprisingly well as the coach praised his professionalism.
This is a little bit surprising as Bazley has started in 84 consecutive regular-season games before tonight. The third-year player has entered a critical season where his future with the franchise is going to be decided this regular season. The Thunder are wise to leave no stone unturned with Bazley before making a decision this summer on whether or not they will hand him a second contract. It is worth seeing if Bazley’s shooting and scoring ability improve playing against second units more often than starters.
The Thunder will start rookie Aaron Wiggins in his place tonight — who has averaged three points in 10 games this season, which includes two starts.
