With six selections entering the night of the 2021 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder needed to ensure they took players that could one day help them win a championship. While Thunder rookie Josh Giddey has gotten recognition all season — and deservedly so — Tre Mann has quietly emerged as one of the most underrated players in this class.
The No. 18 overall pick in the recent draft, Mann came into the league as an offensive-minded combo guard that projected to take time to make an impact at this level. However, he’s quickly adapted to the speed of the NBA game and has already established himself as a dynamic scorer.
“Make ‘em pay for your offense. That’s why you’re out there,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault told Mann early in the season.
Many rookies have the ability to score points if they’re given enough time on the court and the opportunity to take shots. The difference with Mann is his ability to create his own shot. It’s rare for a 21-year-old to possess the creativity to generate quality looks at all three levels.
Whether it’s creating space for a step-back triple, dissecting the defense for a mid-range bucket or blowing by a defender for a crafty finish at the rim, Mann can do it all.
“Tre [Mann] has been proving himself in this league every day,” said teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander last week. “I'm excited for his future."
Following a slow start to the season and a stint in the G League with the OKC Blue, the electric guard has started to hit his stride. More recently, he’s become a legitimate cornerstone of the Thunder offense. In Mann’s last four games, he’s averaged 21.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Over that stretch, he’s been the NBA’s top rookie in scoring production.
Among rookies that attempt at least two 3-pointers per contest, Mann’s 36.3% conversion rate from beyond the arc is top-five among rookies.
What’s been most impressive for Mann of late is his ability to also create for teammates. Playing point guard his entire life, he’s got underrated vision and has shown the willingness to find teammates for open shots. Over his past two games, Mann has notched two consecutive games with at least five assists. As the season goes on, he continues to expand his game and contribute in even more ways.
The defensive end of the floor was one roadblock for Mann earlier this season, but he’s also improved on that end as well recently.
Mann still doesn’t project to be a superstar in this league, but he could prove to be an extremely valuable scorer in a few years when the Thunder are once again looking to contend. Whether that’s in a starting role or as a spark plug off the bench, it’s not out of the question to think Mann couldn’t average 20 points per game at some point in his career.
The shot creation is special, especially since he’s able to torch opposing defenses from all over the court. Earlier this month, Mann notched a career-high 30 points against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden, showing he’s able to perform on the biggest stage.
“I couldn’t ask for a better experience,” said Mann following that performance. “I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.”
Improvement is something every team wants to see out of their rookies. Mann has steadily gotten better as the season goes on, especially in terms of offensive production. He’s notched four 20+ point games this season, all of which have come in the month of February.
As the Thunder continue to navigate their rebuild, Mann is emerging as a cornerstone piece and someone who could be on this roster for a very long time. Scoring isn’t hard to come by in this league, but shot creation certainly is.
