Thunderous Intentions
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NBA Draft: Anfernee Simons – the wild card

By Tamberlyn Richardson

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 14: IMG Academy Ascenders guard Anfernee Simons (3) shoots the ball during the first half of the Spalding Hoophall Classic high school basketball game between the Vermont Academy Wildcats and the IMG Academy Post Grad Ascenders on January 14, 2018, at the Blake Arena in Springfield, MA .(Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 14: IMG Academy Ascenders guard Anfernee Simons (3) shoots the ball during the first half of the Spalding Hoophall Classic high school basketball game between the Vermont Academy Wildcats and the IMG Academy Post Grad Ascenders on January 14, 2018, at the Blake Arena in Springfield, MA .(Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft - Anfernee Simons
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Anfernee Simons poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Pro comparison:

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor tosses out three quality pros as his comparison. Two of these are more offensive oriented (Lou Williams, D’Angelo Russell) while the third (Darren Collison) is a scrappy two-way contributor.

Hoop Diamonds suggests the youngster’s doppelganger is Markelle Fultz. Depending on how you perceive that association it could be a very good or very bad thing.

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This wide ranging spectrum of pro comparisons speaks to how little is known of the youngster. Moreover, it’s hard to project a ceiling for a teenager without a full body of work to pull from. A scan of players who aren’t the primary scorers on their teams but possess top 3-and-D games tend to be on the taller side. For example Trevor Ariza (6’8″) Robert Covington (6’9″) and Danny Green (6’6″) are all two to six inches taller than Simons.

As far as guards who play 3-and-D perhaps channeling Wes Matthews (6’5″) or Patrick Beverley (6’1″) would be a good choice for the youngster.

Current ranking:

ESPN: 38th

The Ringer: 35th

Draft Net: 15th

CBS Sports:25th

Sports Illustrated: 24th

Bleacher Report: 19th

Basketball Insider: 37th

Sporting News: 27th

Fit with OKC Thunder:

As an NBA draft prospect Anfernee Simons is what you might deem a “flyer”. In other words it’s his potential and untapped ceiling teams are investing in.

The risk is he never comes close to harnessing his potential and the reward is the payout if all the initial eye tests are substantiated via results. Clearly, Simons will need to spend at least one full season in the G-League (maybe more) developing.

OKC already have a young projected 3 and D player (Terrance Ferguson) in development, so adding a similar player seems redundant. Furthermore, the Thunder need front court help and ideally more grizzled prospects who could contribute immediately.

Next: Gary Trent Jr. could be perimeter sniper OKC Thunder need

GM Sam Presti may be able to pair his picks to move up for the right prospect, Yet, for as much as Simons may pay out long term OKC probably can’t afford to wait two or three years for that to occur.

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