Three sensible selections Thunder might make in the 2024 NBA Draft with the No. 12 pick.
The 2024 NBA Draft seems to be severely deficient in star-potential prospects and overall promise, as has been addressed extensively in the media and in this article alone.
Because of this, not only are lower-level lottery selections like OKC’s 12 overall selection seen less favorably, but even players the Thunder are thinking about potentially making a trade for are predicted to go in the early stages of the festivities.
Given this, Presti and company may find that the idea of making a transaction to move up the board is not particularly worthwhile.
As previously indicated, Oklahoma City is in the fortunate position of being able to wait for a candidate to advance to the next level of skill and then enable them to grow over time. This also implies, though, that they are in a position where they can afford to make no choice at all.
The team has made deals in the past where they have exchanged their rights for multiple later on in the draft, and it is a very real possibility for this year as well.
Given this, Presti and company may find that the idea of making a transaction to move up the board is not particularly worthwhile.
As previously indicated, Oklahoma City is in the fortunate position of being able to wait for a candidate to advance to the next level of skill and then enable them to grow over time. This also implies, though, that they are in a position where they can afford to make no choice at all.
The team has made deals in the past where they have exchanged their rights for multiple later on in the draft, and it is a very real possibility for this year as well.
Step No. 2: Thunder package No. 12 selection plus additional funds for advancement
Out of all the moves the Thunder might make with their 12th overall choice, there have been rumors recently that they are now considering trading up on Wednesday’s draft board.
As previously said, many people believe that the entering rookie class of this year has relatively little skill upside; some even compare the worth of the top five picks to that of a mid-lottery pick from previous years.
In light of this, it should come as no surprise that individuals such as ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo have revealed that OKC has indicated interest in potentially trading up in the draft, especially in order to choose Donovan Clingan, one of this year’s most sought-after talents.
They are one of the few front offices that “might explore trading up for a player in his mold,” according to Givony and Woo.
Although the 20-year-old may currently be the name that has evoked the strongest connection to the team due to their wealth of draft capital and young talent, Presti may be able to move up to the number seven pick—where Giovony and Woo suggest Clingan will not fall—or, quite frankly, to virtually anywhere they choose in an attempt “to strike” on any number of this year’s top-ranked prospects if included in a package with their number twelve pick.
Just a few days remain until the 2024 NBA Draft, and everyone’s eyes are on the OKC Thunder as both fans and analysts await word on the team’s potential plans.
The team that is now ranked first in the Western Conference standings, the Houston Rockets, acquired the 12th overall selection in the 2019 Russell Westbrook blockbuster deal. This gives them the chance to add even more lottery potential to their already impressive roster of players.
Reasonable decisions Thunder might make with the No. 12 pick in the NBA Draft
Of course, considering they find themselves in a quasi-win now mode after claiming their first playoff series win since the Kevin Durant era, how Sam Presti and company plan to utilize said asset is truly anyone’s guess at this moment in time.
The way things currently stand with the organization, there seem to be a few rather realistic courses of action the Thunder could make when it relates to their No. 12 pick.
Move No. 1: Thunder maintain the current pick and draft according to need
One could argue that the Thunder are in a prime position to select a high-upside player with their 12th overall pick rather than going with the “safe” option of choosing based on current needs, given that they already have an abundance of top-rated players and emerging studs in their arsenal and can therefore afford to wait for a prospect to develop over time.
There don’t seem to be many players outside of the top five who project to be star-caliber talents, though, which could make OKC’s decision to take the previously advised safe route all the more reasonable given that this year’s draft is regarded as incredibly weak.
As things currently stand, the Thunder find themselves with a few key glaring weaknesses within their rotation, with the most prominent being their lack of size, rebounders, and long-range snipers.
This last one may be a bit surprising for some to hear considering they’re coming off a 2023-24 campaign where they ranked number one in three-point percentage (38.9), but they did so on a rather pedestrian 34.2 attempts per game (ranked 16 in the league).
Projections currently indicate that a number of players, in particular, could help improve their standing and productivity in these areas. If Oklahoma City sticks with 12, players to watch include Rob Dillingham of Kentucky (floor spacing) and Zach Edey of Purdue (size and rebounding).
