Thunderous Intentions
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NBA Draft: Why OKC Thunder should pick the baby freak Kostas Antetokounmpo

By Alex Mcewen

KINGSTON, RI - FEBRUARY 23: Dayton Flyers forward Kostas Antetokounmpo (13) drives to the basket during a college basketball game between Dayton Flyers and Rhode Island Rams on February 23, 2018, at the Ryan Center in Kingston, RI. Rhode Island defeated Dayton 81-56 and wins the Atlantic 10 regular season title. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KINGSTON, RI - FEBRUARY 23: Dayton Flyers forward Kostas Antetokounmpo (13) drives to the basket during a college basketball game between Dayton Flyers and Rhode Island Rams on February 23, 2018, at the Ryan Center in Kingston, RI. Rhode Island defeated Dayton 81-56 and wins the Atlantic 10 regular season title. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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DAYTON, OH – FEBRUARY 07: Dayton Flyers forward Kostas Antetokounmpo (13) looks on in a game between the Dayton Flyers and the Duquesne Dukes on February 07, 2018 at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH – FEBRUARY 07: Dayton Flyers forward Kostas Antetokounmpo (13) looks on in a game between the Dayton Flyers and the Duquesne Dukes on February 07, 2018 at University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Pro comparison: Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic went from being selected in the second-round to being the Denver Nuggets franchise player. It is unknown and a bit of a reach to say Antetokounmpo will have the same level of success Jokic has enjoyed in the league. Yet, their games are strikingly similar.

They are both big men with guard skills, sub-par defenders, and barring an unforeseen event, both drafted in the second round. Jokic would by far be the best case scenario for Kostas, he could also end up on a career path similar to his brother Thanasis.

Thanasis played in a mere two NBA games during the 2015-16 season and a total of 46 games in the G-League. Thanasis currently plays in the EuroLeague. With luck, hopefully Kostas will have a more successful pro career than his oldest brother.

Current mock NBA Draft ranking:

More from Thunderous Intentions

ESPN/DraftExpress: 57

The Ringer: U/R

Draft Net: U/R

CBS Sports: 47

Sports Illustrated: 60

Bleacher Report: U/R

Basketball Insider: 57

Sporting News: U/R

U/R = Unranked

Fit with OKC Thunder:

Kostas Antetokounmpo would fit well on the OKC Thunder for a multitude of reasons. Foremost, Steven Adams needs a back-up, although Kostas is a power forward he has the athleticism to play in a small-ball lineup.

Secondly, the Thunder need a shot blocker, and Kostas could fill the void.

Last, but not the least Kostas fits the mold of a Thunder big in that he is athletic and excels at rolling to the rim. In conclusion, the Oklahoma City Thunder already passed on one Antetokounmpo brother in the 2013 NBA draft, hopefully, they learned from the past and do not make the same decision in 2018.

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