Trading down in the draft could land the OKC Thunder a serviceable shooter in Shamorie Ponds, but is that enough to move the needle?
With General Manager, Sam Presti dead set on reducing salary rumors are he’s not only trying to shop the OKC Thunder 21st pick but also is dangling assets as well. Granted, wanting something to happen and making it happen are two different things. For as much as Presti might want to get out of this thin draft class that doesn’t mean he’ll have success in doing so.
What might be more feasible is for Presti to trade the pick in exchange for a second round pick. Even if that becomes the direction the Thunder take, however, the mandate to add shooting remains the priority.
Ponds is an above average perimeter shooter, albeit not in the company I’d tag as “sniper”, but he did show massive improvement in his third season with St. John’s where he recognized a 10 percent improvement (from 25.3 percent in 2018 to 35.3 percent in 2019). That might move the needle for Presti, but to reiterate everything will depend on whether the team can trade down.
Specifics:
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 175
- Wingspan: 6’3.5′
- Position: Guard
- Age: 20.9
- College: St. John’s (in New York)
- Stat line: 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.6 steals and 35.3 percent from deep
- Home Town: Brooklyn, New York
| Season | G | MP | FGA | FG% | 2PA | 2P% | 3PA | 3P% | FTA | FT% | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 33 | 33.6 | 13.2 | .439 | 7.1 | .494 | 6.1 | .375 | 4.3 | .823 | 3.3 | 4.4 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 17.4 |
| 2017-18 | 30 | 37.0 | 17.9 | .420 | 11.7 | .509 | 6.2 | .253 | 5.8 | .857 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 21.6 |
| 2018-19 | 33 | 35.1 | 14.5 | .453 | 8.9 | .515 | 5.6 | .353 | 5.5 | .836 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 5.1 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 19.7 |
| Career | 96 | 35.2 | 15.1 | .436 | 9.1 | .507 | 5.9 | .328 | 5.2 | .840 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 19.5 |
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/19/2019.
Examining the pluses of Ponds games points to his penchant for being a score first guard who loves to mix it up. Given the Thunder already have Russell Westbrook and assuming Dennis Schroder returns I’m not sure I see the proper fit for Ponds on this roster.
More concerning is he’s an absolute albatross on defense and that simply won’t cut it with the Presti defensive first culture in OKC.
Awards and Honors:
All awards per Basketball Reference
- 2016-17 Big East All-Freshman
- 2017-18 All-Big East – 1st Team
- 2018-19 All-Big East – 1st Team
- 2018-19 Wooden Award – Late Season
- 2018-19 Wooden Award – Midseason
- 2018-19 Wooden Award – Preseason
Pro Comparison:
Kevin O’Connor: Austin Rivers, Smaller Cuttino Mobley
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Current Ranking:
- The Ringer: 36th
- NBA DraftNet: n/a
- CBS Sports: 42nd
- ESPN: 44th
- Sports Illustrated: n/a
- Bleacher Report: 43rd
- Busting Brackets: 42nd
How likely are Thunder to consider Ponds:
The simple answer is above while adding a player like Ponds to the OKC Thunder roster would potentially increase offensive choices the reality is there are too many deterrents. First of all, there are existing assets on the Thunder who Billy Donovan can turn to in order to create offense if only the coach would give them consistent playing time.
Moreover, a player who adds nothing defensively and worse would create defensive issues for the Thunder isn’t a prospect Presti will spend time considering as an option.