Oklahoma City Thunder: A year later, Thunder draft prospect Josh Huestis has no regrets about becoming the NBA's first ever domestic draft and stash

Soon after breaking ground by becoming the first “domestic draft-and-stash” player, Huestis fell off the radar for much of the past year, quietly going about his business averaging 10.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocked shots and 1.1 assists in 44 games for the Oklahoma City Blue last season. But a year has gone by and Huestis, per the pre-arranged deal to which he and his representatives agreed with the Thunder, is now supposed to be guaranteed a spot on the Thunder roster. Only Huestis has yet to be signed and the Thunder currently doesn’t have an open roster spot, which leaves Huestis hanging in the balance for the time being, uncertain whether he will be with the Thunder next season, back with the Blue or overseas seeking to recoup some of the coin he sacrificed when he agreed to not sign his rookie contract.

He was the 29th overall pick by the Thunder last year. The first ever first-round selection to forego signing his NBA rookie contract to spend his entire first season in the NBA Development League.

Further complicating matters is Huestis has a torn right pectoral muscle as the result of a weight room accident back in Oklahoma City eight weeks ago. It has kept him out of this week’s action at the Orlando Pro Summer League, sidelined him indefinitely and delayed an already deferred arrival into the NBA.

And still, as he looks back on his decision a year later, Huestis wouldn’t change a thing.

“I think it was a great decision,” Huestis told The Oklahoman on Wednesday. “I think it was the best decision that I could make in terms of my own career. I think having an opportunity to play in the D-League for a year has really taught me a lot and has prepared me to move forward in my career. And I think if I had to make the decision again I would make the exact same one.”

To recap the negotiated pre-draft arrangement between Huestis and the Thunder, the plan was for Oklahoma City to pluck Huestis with the 29th pick, which was higher than he was projected to be selected, if he agreed to not sign his rookie scale contract and spend all year in the D-League. It was an innovative maneuver that would lock Huestis into a guaranteed contract and a rare commitment from a franchise, while giving the Thunder some salary cap relief and an additional free roster spot.