Draft Outlook
Thunder GM Sam Presti’s wheeling and dealing gives OKC six picks in this Draft, including three in the top 20 to start off the rebuild to respectability the GM has long promised. Over the next seven years, the Thunder own a total of 36 Draft picks. So there’s a variety of ways for Presti to build around franchise guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort to make OKC contenders again. Despite having the sixth pick, Presti said OKC will look to move up in the Draft, and his war chest of picks gives the club plenty of ammo to do so.
A Stat That Matters
60% — The Thunder got 60% of their minutes, the league’s highest rate by a wide margin, from rookies (20%, fifth highest rate) or second-year players (40%, highest rate).
The Way To Go
Armed with picks to spare, Presti could package some to move into the top five to take one of the premier talents such as Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green and Evan Mobley. Mobley makes the most sense to play alongside OKC guards Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort. But if OKC stays at No. 6, Florida State combo forward Scottie Barnes should be the pick because of his incredible wingspan (7-foot-3), athleticism and versatility.
Under Contract
G: Charlie Brown Jr.
G: Luguentz Dort
G: Theo Maledon
G: Kemba Walker
G/F: Darius Bazley
G/F: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
G/F: Ty Jerome
G/F: Kenrich Williams
F: Gabriel Deck
F: Isaiah Roby
C: Aleksej Pokusevski
Free Agents
G/F: Svi Mykhailiuk (restricted)
F: Josh Hall (restricted)
F: Jaylen Hoard (restricted)
F/C: Tony Bradley (restricted)
F/C: Mike Muscala (unrestricted)
> 2021 Free Agent Tracker
Last Year’s Draft
2020: Aleksej Pokusevski (17)*, Theo Maledon (34)*, Vit Krejci (37)*
* = acquired via trade
— Michael C. Wright