NBA 2020 Mock Draft 1.0 – Options abound for OKC Thunder
By Rylan Stiles
Forward | Louisville. Oklahoma City Thunder. Jordan Nwora. 20. player. 149.
Jordan Nwora would have OKC Thunder fans over the moon, in my opinion. The three-year college player would be ready for NBA minutes right away. His 6’7 225-pound frame with a well above average 3-point shot mix together for a drool-worthy prospect. Everything is turning up OKC Thunder with this season, huh?
You have to trade PG and Russ but get back a historic haul for PG, draft assets and a rejuvenized CP3 for Russ. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is turning into a shining star, the NBA Draft assets have not even come to be but they are waiting in the wings to be likely used on wings (shout out Sam Presti), you are going to make the playoffs despite most picking you to miss out on the postseason, and some screaming to sell off everything and tank.
Now, you grab one of my favorite prospects in this year’s entire NBA Draft class. Jordan Nwora would fit the OKC Thunder in every single way possible. The OKC Thunder and Sam Presti love long lengthy, only this wing, unlike most that Presti falls in love with, can shoot!
Nwora has won the most improved ACC player award in 2018-19 and was All-ACC that same year. He seemed in line at one time for the ACC player of the year award this year and still might get it.
The forward has averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, and an assist per game. Nwora has also stroked the 3-ball at a 42-percent clip. I love his ability to drive to the rim and create his own shot, something the OKC Thunder would love from their wing spot. Something they just currently are not getting from the likes of Terrance Ferguson, Deonte Burton, and Hamidou Diallo.
Nwora can drive, but he is also an elite catch-and-shoot wing in this year’s NBA Draft class. with the OKC Thunder offense being controlled by CP3 for now, and eventually Gilgeous-Alexander, a guy who can play off-ball at a high-level would be perfect for the OKC Thunder.
So what is the negative about this guy? Why has he dropped so far if he is so good? Well, he struggles defensively to say the least. Struggles that might be able to be disguised in the OKC Thunder system. However, even with helpful players around him he still needs a huge improvement personally on the defensive end.