This summer on July 18th, the Oklahoma City Thunder signed guard Alex Abrines to a three-year contract worth $18 million. The Thunder drafted him 32nd overall in the NBA Draft back in 2013.
Abrines played for FC Barcelona the last three seasons. Last year he won the Euroleague Rising Star award, when he beat out the Philadelphia 76ers lottery pick Dario Saric for the achievement. Abrines, who is only 22 years old, is certainly a player for Thunder fans to be excited about.
FC Barcelona signed Abrines to a long-term deal last year through 2019. He will have to pay a $2.2 million buyout to be released from his contract. The Thunder can contribute $650,000 toward the buyout.
It was certainly not expected for Abrines to join the Thunder this season. However, with the departure of Kevin Durant and Dion Waiters, Oklahoma City was in need of some guard play. He shot an outstanding 42% from beyond the arc last season for Barcelona. This could be a huge help for the perimeter offense this season.