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ORLANDO, FL - JULY 8: Mitch McGary #33 of the Oklahoma City Thunder grabs a loose ball against the Miami Heat during the Orlando Summer League on July 8, 2016 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JULY 8: Mitch McGary #33 of the Oklahoma City Thunder grabs a loose ball against the Miami Heat during the Orlando Summer League on July 8, 2016 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)Fernando Medina/Getty Images

Mitch McGary Suspended: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Tyler Conway
Jul 8, 2016

Oklahoma City Thunder big man Mitch McGary has been suspended for the first five games of the 2016-17 NBA regular season for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy, the league announced Friday.ย 

Royce Youngย of ESPN.com reported the news. McGary, 24,ย averaged 1.3 points and 0.9 rebounds in 20 games played last season. He struggled to get going afterย suffering a concussionย in the preseason and left the team briefly in April due to aย "personal matter," per Anthony Slater, Erik Horne and Berry Tramel ofย theย Oklahoman.

"You guys mind if I opened with a little segment?" McGary said upon his return, per theย Oklahoman. "I appreciate you guys interviewing me, and I know you're concerned with where I've been the last few weeks. But I'd just like to leave that as a private matter, and that's it. I'd appreciate if you'd respect that."

While it has not been reported what triggered McGary's suspension, aย five-game ban is protocolย for a third positive test for marijuana. McGaryย declaredย for the 2014 NBA draft after learning he was facing a one-year NCAA suspension for positive marijuana tests while at Michigan.

This news marks another setback in what had been a strong week for McGary at the Orlando Summer League. The third-year big man scored in double figures in each of the Thunder's four contests, including a 13-point outing, as they captured third place Friday against the Miami Heat.

Although few players of McGary's experience level and pedigree play in the summer league, it was a promising sign after what was otherwise a lost 2015-16. McGary was a healthy scratch for all 18 of the Thunder's playoff games and was buried in head coach Billy Donovan's rotation a year after looking like he could develop into a high-energy big off the bench.

The Thunder will have an interesting decision to make regarding McGary before the season. They must decide by Oct. 31 whether or not to pick up the fourth-year option in his contract, worth approximately $2.4 million. His performance level would indicate it's unlikely, but the market cost of free agents has become so great they might keep him around in case he develops.

OKC will be banking on player development now more than ever following the departure of Kevin Durant and the trade of Serge Ibaka. Ersan Ilyasova came over via the Ibaka trade, but the OKC frontcourt is suddenly thin. Depending on how Donovan wants to traverse the Steven Adams-Enes Kanter situationโ€”they're the team's two most talented bigs but are natural centersโ€”a nominal starting spot could be open.

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.

Who Is Mark Walter?