Tre Mann’s Disappointing Season Could Lead to Thunder Taking Guard in 2023 NBA Draft

There’s no doubt that Oklahoma City’s No. 18 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Tre Mann, is brimming with potential.

At 6-foot-4, with a deadly change of pace, the former Florida Gator is a threat to score at any time but just hasn’t quite found consistency as a shooter, or finisher, in his first two years in the NBA.

Towards the end of the 2021-22 season, the Thunder handed the reigns to Mann and gave him plenty of time to showcase his talent as a lead guard, but he averaged just 14.9 points on 39 percent shooting from the floor, posted just a 14.4 free throw rate, and recorded only a slightly positive assist-to-turnover ratio in about 30 minutes over the team’s last 26 games.

Last season, Mann continued to show more of the same. 

The sophomore guard played in a more limited role largely due to the emergence of free agent signee Isaiah Joe and rookie phenom Jalen Williams but still posted disappointing numbers. Through 67 games, Mann averaged only 7.7 points on 39.3/31.5/76.4 shooting splits — not great numbers for a guy who was drafted to put the ball in the basket.

But though his scoring numbers and other analytics don’t paint a pretty picture right now for the 22-year-old, the former first-round pick has had his bright spots. Across his first two years, Mann has impressed with a couple of 30-point outings versus Boston and New York as well as several 25-point outings against teams like Miami, San Antonio, and Dallas.