NBA Draft Predictions: OKC
EDIT POST DRAFT: OOF, This is why they don’t pay me the big bucks. Excited for Cason Wallace though.
The 2023 NBA Draft is Thursday, 6/22 and it has arguably the most hype in the last 10 years. Spurs have the first pick and are rightfully not picking up the phone for any motherfucker. Better to get Wemby and fail than option this pick off for just about anyone. Crazy to even think that but it is ok. Anyway this article isn’t about the Wembanyama being the bell of the ball on Thursday. This is about the Oklahoma City Thunder and the puppet master GM Sam Presti. The Thunder hold the #12 pick in the draft and with all these prospects rising and falling in the past few weeks it makes for interesting place in the draft for them.
The Thunder finished the year going 40-42, plus a close win against the Pelicans in the Play-In round. A lot to be happy with, especially given that Chet Holmgren was out for the entire year. As Presti loosely said though, they lost more than half of their games so still a shit ton of improvement needed. Either way they came away with a steal in J-Dub, a solid role player will J-Will, Shai & Giddey being a commanding backcourt, Dort a defensive monster, and a whole lot more promise in their crew. This draft though is quite critical to their brief “rebuild”. The big question I believe is adding muscle to their front court, and where Chet could fall within in it playing as a 4 or 5. Of course there are intriguing options all through this lotto, especially with guards but the main focus should stay on bigs.
Unless the Thunder send off every pick, grovel on their knees, and promise their first borns to the Spurs then there is no shot at getting the premier big man Wembanyama. Which is fair, so rather than wreck the team for decades to come they have to decide on the other big man prospects that are featured in the lottery. The three that make the most sense to me, not Presti, but to me are Jarace Walker, Taylor Hendricks, and Leonard Miller.
Jarace Walker: Houston Cougars, 6’8”, 240lbs PF/SF
Built like a damn fridge. He is the definition of real muscle to beef up your frontcourt. Walker averaged 11.2 pts, 6.8reb, and 1.8ast in his lone year at Houston. Highly physical but soft touch around the rim, not afraid to shoot from outside the paint, defensive powerhouse on the interior, and crazy athletic. He does his best work violating other players in front of their families for position under the basket. What’s not to like about him? You want a big motherfucker, that is imposing on other teams physically and mentally, this is the guy. Right now Walker is projected to go in the 4-7 picks range. If I am Presti, which I am not, but I am in 2k; I’m keeping the phone ready if he slips past 7 which isn’t probable but certainly possible given that its the damn draft.
Taylor Hendricks: UCF Knights, 6’9” 210lbs PF/SF
He is an intriguing prospect with a high ceiling. The freshman averaged 15.1pts, 7reb, and 1.4ast. His shooting feels limitless for a big. Despite a leaner frame for a big, his bounce and 7’1” wingspan make him the gestappo of the paint. His quick feet in the post let him get around defenders to either side of the hoop with easy. His mock has had its ups and downs, I saw him hit as high as 4 at one point but I think reasonably he is going to be in that 6-10 range. I’ll take a swing here and say he definitely just feels like a Thunder player with the way he operates on the court. I don’t know what Presti’s board looks like but I hope he is at the top of it. I think he has an immediate impact on the floor, especially with the heat focused on Shai, Giddey, Dub, and now Chet. His ceiling is high to begin with but I think it rises more with this staffs ability to develop youth, and create a unique chemistry. My 2k GM gut would have me calling around pick 10 for him if he is there, which is why I call the shots from my bed.
Leonard Miller: G-League Ignite, 6’10” 210lbs PF/SF
It is kind of bullshit to say sleeper pick if you’re still projected for the 1st round. So I won’t say sleeper pick, Miller is just more of a quieter prospect that the media doesn’t appreciate as much. Thats fine I will give credit where it is due to Mr. Miller. The G-League prospect averaged 16.9pts, 10.1reb. and 1.7ast. Not too shabby I say. Good body control, and spacing make him a crazy efficient inside scorer. He runs the floor beautifully, has a high motor to push the pace of the game. A 7’2” wingspan helps lock down wings, and offer quick help on the opposite side. I think he is fantastic talent, and another positive outlook on G-League development. His stock in the draft has dropped and he is projected in a pretty broad are of 12-24. So not much of a prediction to tell you where he can go. But he could suit up for the Thunder. I do think he is the least likely too, but I wouldn’t rule it out. The only reason I have my reservations is it feels slightly like Darius Bazely again for the Thunder. I hope I am wrong, I just think Miller’s lack of offensive perimeter support is something the front office has taken note of. However it pays off when you have the best shooting coach in the league in Chip Engelland, maybe thats a risk you take given this dudes strengths everywhere else on the floor. Who knows though, only time shall tell for OKC.
I am definitely not an analyst or scout, or someone who even watches basketball with a high IQ for the game. I am just an optimistic Thunder fan. I like these three guys, and can see all of them suiting up for OKC providing an immediate impact. I also think the options are endless for them when it comes to this draft, and the next, plus the one after, and so on. There are other top tier prospects on the board so a big could be something they look at for free agency, despite being a small market. The only thing I have made peace with as a fan is putting my faith in Presti. I look forward to the draft and the years to come for this god damn beautiful franchise.
