Thunderous Intentions
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NBA Draft prospect Zhaire Smith projects to be an offensive Andre Roberson

By Rylan Stiles

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders attempts to dunk the ball against Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders attempts to dunk the ball against Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft, Zhaire Smith
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Texas Tech assistant coach Al Pinkins and Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith (2) walk off the floor after an Elite Eight matchup between the Villanova Wildcats and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 25, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats defeated the Red Raiders 71-59. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Awards and Honors:

  • 2017-18 USBWA All-District 7 First Team
  • 2018 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (Coaches/AP)
  • 2018 All-Big 12 Newcomer Team
  • 2017-18 All-Big 12 Defensive Team

Pro Comparisons:

Zhaire Smith is getting compared to a shooting Andre Roberson, Danny Green, and Norman Powell in the eyes of many. The most on-the-money-comparison to me, is an offensive Andre Roberson.

As previously mentioned, it does not look like Smith will be a very good three point shooter, but with backdoor cuts, mid-range jumpers, and just using his pure athleticism Smith will still be a productive player offensively.

In the right system, with the right coaching, he can also become an outstanding defender, like Andre Roberson of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

More from Thunderous Intentions

NBA Draft Ranking:

Would Zhaire Smith fit in Oklahoma City?

The Oklahoma City Thunder do not have a first round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. However, if Zhaire Smith falls to the end of the first round, there is a chance Thunder GM Sam Presti could package a pair of second round picks and cash consideration for a late-first-rounder.

Would it make sense to go after Zhaire Smith? No.

Zhaire Smith, in all likelihood will be a very good player in this league, he just does not fit in Oklahoma City.

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The OKC Thunder desperately need spacing, and without an ability to shoot, Smith would have to work from the mid-range and down, packing the paint even more. The Thunder have too many guys like Zhaire Smith, very good defenders who can not shoot. Look at Andre Roberson, and Jerami Grant for starters.

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