Thunder NBA Draft prospect series: T.J. Leaf

UCLA freshman T.J. Leaf fits the prototype for the modern NBA big; it’s exactly why the OKC Thunder should consider drafting him.

T.J. Leaf is one of the most exciting projected late first round picks in this draft. The freshman showcased a little bit of everything in his lone season at UCLA. Although the Thunder already have a great deal of big men, Leaf could be the pick at 21.

Specifics

Height: 6’10

Weight: 220 Ibs

Wingspan: 6’11

Position: Power Forward

Age: 20

College: UCLA

Statline: 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, .6 steals, 1.1 blocks

Current rankings:

(note – rankings are taken on day of article posting and therefore may be listed at a similar rank as previously posted prospect reviews)

DraftExpress: 26th overall prospect

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: 47th overall prospect

CBS Sports: 24th overall prospect

Skills

Leaf has a good amount of skills that should translate to the NBA. He’s a very good athlete that knows how to control his body in the air, hence the 64% rate on two-point field goals last season. Even though he is slightly underweight, Leaf again used his controlled athleticism to grab over 8 a game.

The 20-year old shot over 46% from three in his freshman year but that came on only 1.7 attempts a game. If the jump shot is a new addition, something he didn’t show much in high school, that range will open up Leaf’s offensive game like never before.

On defense Leaf gets hurt because of his size but makes up for it with his jumping ability. He plays with high effort at all times, a sign that he can develop into an average defender in the league.

Weaknesses

Although Leaf is an above-average athlete for his size, he isn’t quick enough or big enough to assign him a position in the NBA. At power forward he’ll get strung out on the perimeter, but playing against a center will end up in him getting bullied down low.

There are concerns about his jumper since he only showed it for one season, and he’s only a career 67% free throw shooter. If Leaf can’t develop a three-point shot it will be tough for him to score, and without a solid defensive foundation that makes him virtually impossible to play.

Honors and awards

All PAC-12 First Team (2017)

All PAC-12 Freshman Team (2017)

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Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Top 5 Finalst (2017)

The fit

Leaf fits everything you want to see in a potential big man for the Thunder. He can run out in transition with Russell Westbrook, finish above the rim in a pick and roll and potentially space the floor. But he also has a lot of minor skills to work on if he wants to stick in the league, and Oklahoma City already has enough young big men they need to develop.

Ultimately I think Leaf can succeed as a bench small ball center. The NBA is transitioning towards big men possessing real basketball skill over simply being big and strong. Leaf is very skilled for being 6’10, and his leaping ability should prove valuable as a roll man.

If the Thunder needed a big, Leaf would be my pick at 21. But if something extreme happens, like Steven Adams and Enes Kanter being traded (who knows what Sam Presti will do at this point), picking T.J. Leaf would not be a bad pick for Oklahoma City.