OKC Thunder NBA Draft prospect series: Jonathan Isaac

The OKC Thunder should think long and hard about trading up for Florida State freshman Jonathan Isaac. Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonathan Isaac comes into the draft as one of the most intriguing prospects on the board. Should the OKC Thunder consider giving up a piece to move up and draft him?

Of the likely lottery players, Jonathan Isaac is the best fit for the Thunder. Isaac’s versatility to play anywhere from small forward to center would give Billy Donovan an interesting weapon. His shot needs work – something we don’t want to hear for a Thunder prospect – but there is reason to believe he can become an above-average shooter in time.

Specifics

Height: 6’11

Weight: 205 Ibs

Wingspan: 7’1

Position: Small forward/Power Forward

Age: 19

College: Florida State, Freshman

Statline: 12 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.5 bpg

Current rankings:

Please note, the rankings below come from the most up to date versions as the time of writing. That said not all the mock drafts provide second round ranks or updates, often only extend to the end of the first round.

Therefore, if you check a ranking and note the number has changed it’s likely due to updates and a shift in the rankings.

DraftExpress: 9th overall prospect

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: 7th overall prospect

CBS Sports: 5th overall prospect

Basketball Insiders: 9th overall prospect

Skills

Isaac comes in as one of the most difficult players to project. With a body/athletic ability similar to Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetekounmpo he could evolve into a superstar-type player, but as of now the actual basketball skills aren’t there. Unlike those two coming into the draft, however, Isaac is already a very good defender.

In college Isaac could guard all five positions. The former freshman has the lateral quickness to keep up with guards and the length to handle a power forward down-low; he would fit perfectly in the OKC Thunder defensive system. Isaac averaged nearly 3 stocks (blocks + steals) a game, slightly higher than defensive specialist Andre Roberson in his first college season.

Defense is Isaac’s calling card, but he also flashed potential as a floor spacer in the NBA. The 19-year old shot 34.8% from deep on nearly three attempts a game and over 50% from the field. The problem was Isaac played with a myriad of talented offensive players at Florida State so he did not get many opportunities to flash an isolation game.

Weaknesses

Isaac’s major weaknesses come solely on the offensive end of the floor. At Florida State he was surrounded by a few incredibly talented scorers – including potential Thunder target Dwayne Bacon – so Isaac wasn’t asked to be a primary scorer. He didn’t show much of an isolation game from the perimeter or post in his rare opportunities however.

If team want Isaac to play small forward in the NBA to create heavy mismatches, the lanky forward will have to increase his ball-handling and passing ability significantly. He barely averaged an assist a game in college, while most of his scoring opportunities came in spot-up plays and in transition. Pure basketball skills are the reason for his “low” ranking, but those can easily be developed in a 19-year old.

Honors and awards

All-ACC Freshman Team (2017)

All-ACC Honorable Mention (2017)

Kyle Macy Freshman All-American Team (2017)

RELATED STORY: Thunder NBA Draft series: Donovan Mitchell

NCAA National/Naismith Trophy Player of the Week (Jan. 23, 2017)

Jordan Classic (2016)

The fit

My love for Isaac is probably do to the fact that he is similar to Jerami Grant, but with a much higher upside. The thing is, the Thunder could feasibly have both players on the roster because of their position fluidity.

More from Thunderous Intentions

If the Thunder do in fact trade into the lottery, Isaac has to be the guy. He fits everything Oklahoma City needs/wants; a lengthy athletic forward who can shoot, defend multiple positions and potentially develop into a star.

Isaac has the ability to play small forward, but in this modern NBA he will spend most of his time playing “power” forward and sometimes even center. Oklahoma City has a plethora of bigs, but a trade up to draft Isaac would most definitely include one of Steven Adams or Enes Kanter.

Ultimately a big man Jonathan Isaac makes more sense for the Thunder than either Adams or Kanter. Sam Presti has to build around Russell Westbrook, and that means athletic shooters. Adams and Kanter aren’t that, and Isaac isn’t that yet either. But if he puts the work in and injuries don’t get in the way Isaac is destined to be a starter on a championship-caliber team.

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