In the news: Championing Antonio Daniels, rumored Thunder draft promise, Prospect series launches

In the news: Championing Antonio Daniels for OKC Thunder head coach, Matisse Thybulle exits Combine amid rumors of OKC draft promise, T.I. launches annual draft prospect series.

While the NBA Conference Finals wage on the upcoming NBA Draft is front and center in the news. With the lottery complete and the Draft Combine in full motion, several prospects exited Chicago following the measurement portion of the event. One of those prospects was Matisse Thybulle and with his quick exit, the initial whispered rumors of an OKC Thunder draft night promise grew in volume.

Also on the draft front,  T.I. launched our annual Draft Prospect series with a suggested target for Sam Presti to consider buying into the second round to nab. And, closer to home writer Alex Mcewen offered her suggestion for a well respected media member and former player to replace Billy Donovan.

Matisse Thybulle exits Chicago:

The initial rumors began with whispers and mostly conjecture. But with Matisse Thybulle ending his participating in the Combine after the measurement portion whispers turned to statements. Thybulle is the Sam Presti prototypical draft prospect – athletic,  defensive and lacking offensive versatility.

T.I.’s article featured the Steve Kyler tweet which seemingly confirmed the partnership between Thybulle and OKC was cemented and OKC Thunder fans reacted. Fan Josh Towne served up the laugh out loud twitter response of the day.

T.I.s launches annual Draft Prospect Series:

Following up on the Matisse Thybulle news, Thunderous Intentions launched our annual Draft Prospects Series with a player who Sam Presti should seriously consider buying into the second round to nab.

Rylan Stiles launches the series highlighting University of Kansas power forward Dedric Lawson. If family ties are inherit with intent, perhaps the fact Lawson’s father and brother liked and retweeted Stiles article might suggest Dedric would be keen to join the Thunder. Check out Stiles article below for why it makes sense for Presti to consider pulling some strings to land Lawson.

The annual T.I. series investigates the top 60 prospects. Despite the OKC Thunder only possessing the 21st pick in round one and no pick in round two that doesn’t mean Sam Presti won’t entertain other options. Thunder Nation is invested in their team and because of that, we know you want to get the skinny on all the prospects regardless of their final landing spot.

For those reasons, our staff provides comprehensive coverage of the top 60 in the class. We’re not suggesting Presti would be able to pry Zion Williamson away from the New Orleans Pelicans, but as my Grandfather used to say “better to have and not need, then need and not have.”

Imagining Antonio Daniels at the coaching helm:

Every time I’m fortunate enough to catch the Thunder Live segments with Antonio Daniels I find myself nodding in agreement with his assessments. Living in Toronto I don’t always have access to the Fox Network and his pre and post game analysis which is unfortunate.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Local T.I. writer Alex Mcewen not only has access to Daniels brilliance each game, but she also is championing him for a role outside the broadcast booth and closer to the hardwood.

To this point, all Thunder fans have to go on is Sam Presti’s end of season press conference. Presti stated both Donovan and he needed to absorb and resonate on the season prior to downloading their perspectives on the campaign and the future. It wasn’t the typical ringing endorsement of past seasons, but Presti still implied  Donovan would return.

That said, Presti’s vernacular left loopholes to tie an exit strategy to if need be. The T.I. team (for the most part) feel it’s time for a new voice and stronger system in place and hasn’t given up on our tangent to replace Donovan.

With this in mind, Mcewen champions Antonio Daniels as a worthy replacement and offers her perspective on why the former player would be the ideal candidate.

That wraps up in the news for Saturday, May 18. Enjoy your weekend and as always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section.