OKC Thunder NBA Draft prospect series: Dwayne Bacon
By Tony Heim
Because of his pension for scoring, Dwayne Bacon is an interesting prospect for the OKC Thunder to take a look at.
If you watched any Oklahoma City Thunder basketball last season one thing was awfully clear – the Thunder desperately needed perimeter scoring. That’s where Florida State product Dwayne Bacon could potentially step in.
Specifics
Height: 6’5
Weight: 202 Ibs
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 21
College: Florida State
Statline: 17.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1 steal, .1 blocks
Current rankings
Please note that rankings are the most up-to-date at the time of writing this. They are subject to change at any moment and for any reason.
Draft Express: 74th overall prospect
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor: 52nd overall prospect
CBS Sports: 39th overall prospect
Skills
If you like scoring, Bacon is your guy. The sophomore led a loaded Florida State team in scoring this past season, averaging over 17 points on 45.2% from the field. He’s inconsistent shooting from deep, but the mechanics are there to turn into a knockdown shooter in the NBA.
It’s Bacon’s ability to create for himself which makes him special though. The 21-year old doesn’t have one special skill on offense, making him a tough cover because he’ll score in any manner you give him.
He’s got the size, length and athleticism to be a solid defender in the league, but Bacon has to put the work in on his own for that to happen.
Weaknesses
Bacon might be too much of a scorer for team’s liking. For a player that prides himself on being able to put the ball in the bucket, he doesn’t have a go-to move that is guaranteed to work in the NBA. Bacon hasn’t shown a willingness to pass in his two season at Florida State either; he’ll never be a team’s best offensive weapon so that will have to change immediately.
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On defense Bacon has potential as I said, but potential is all he really showed. He falls asleep off-the-ball far too often allowing his opponent to get an easier shot off. When Bacon’s guarding on-the-ball he tends to fall for fakes instead of reading his opponent. Luckily for him, all of his shortcomings on that end can be fixed by the right coaching staff.
Honors and awards
All-ACC Freshman Team (2016)
“Best Freshman season in school history” (2016)
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McDonalds All-American Slam Dunk Champion (2015)
The fit
Of all the projected late-second round guards Bacon has to be the most intriguing for Thunder fans. Oklahoma City desperately missed having Dion Waiters come off the bench this season, a role Bacon could eventually replace.
His ability to score in transition and in isolation would complement Russell Westbrook in the rare times they’d play together, but his defense would hurt a Thunder second unit devoid of defensive talent. Sam Presti would have to take Bacon on the belief that the scorer would turn into a more all-around player, a risk I’m not sure Presti wants to take.
If the Thunder do in fact trade into the end of the second round to draft one of these guards, Bacon won’t be the guy. Oklahoma City is a roster full of specialists, a trend the team needs to move away from. Because of that the pure scorer Dwayne Bacon will not end up in OKC.