Backup point guard Raymond Felton is slated to start against the Houston Rockets in the Oklahoma City Thunder's preseason opener, according to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman. Reigning MVP and starting point guard Russell Westbrook did more work with the first team today, according to head coach Billy Donovan, still recovering from a PRP injection he had last week.
Westbrook, along with offseason signing Patrick Patterson and marksman Alex Abrines will all sit out for Tuesday's preseason game.
The Thunder will likely keep Westbrook on the shelf until he is able to ramp up activity, giving head coach Billy Donovan a few more minutes to test out his new roster and see how the moving parts assemble together on the court.
Felton is a veteran floor general who has done the work as a starter early in his career and as a backup in the last few seasons, providing a good mix of scoring, playmaking, and defending — often making him a versatile choice off the bench.
The North Carolina standout has been an excellent off-the-ball cutter, which could allow him to play the off-guard position when needed. He started 11 of his 80 games with the L.A. Clippers last season, averaging 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
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