NBA Draft 2013: Profiling 10 players the OKC Thunder may draft tonight
10. Shabazz Muhammad
Mar 9, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Shabazz Muhammad (15) talks with a teammate following a play against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The rundown
Muhammad played one year at UCLA and averaged 17.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He was once a projected top pick in this draft but college struggles mixed with lying about his age and other off-court drama has Muhammad potentially falling out of the lottery.
How the Thunder can get him?
The Thunder won’t have to trade up to get Muhammad. They can get him at No. 12 if they want to or could even trade back a few spots and would still be able to draft him.
How he will fit in with the Thunder?
Muhammad can be a relentless scorer and attacker of the basket off the bench. He really has a chance to try and imitate what James Harden did for the Thunder. He’s not the shooter Harden is but could definitely find a good fit in the NBA as a scorer and energy guy off the bench.
NBA comparison
Poor man’s James Harden with a little Michael Kidd-Gilchrist