OKC Thunder: Why is no one talking about Devon Dotson?
By Rylan Stiles
As the OKC Thunder and NBA world turn their attention to the NBA Draft, why is no one talking about Devon Dotson?
The NBA World is lost, with no one knowing when or if we will continue the 2019-20 season. One thing we do know is that the NCAA season is over, and the OKC Thunder will still be big players in the 2020 NBA Draft…whenever that might be.
As the world, in general, feels like its coming to an end, and we are cooped up in our houses, what better time than now to dive into some of these NBA Draft storylines? We started with Cole Anthony and his puzzling draft stock, and now it is time to look at Devon Dotson. Like Cole Anthony, Devon Dotson presents one of the biggest storylines of this year’s NBA Draft…In the complete opposite way.
For Cole Anthony, many consider him a lock for the lottery despite his disappointing showing at UNC. For Devon Dotson, he has produced two good seasons at the college level. Most notably this season where Dotson was in the running for Big 12 player of the year and even national player of the year for the top-ranked Jayhawks.
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
Dotson was the catalyst for a ton of the Jayhawks’ success each of the last two years, including being the lone bright spot on last year’s disappointing KU squad. However, despite the college success why is Devon Dotson not being put into the late lottery, or even just outside the lottery? Even in my first mock draft, I pegged Dotson for the 22nd overall pick.
This season, Dotson averaged 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists per game. That is all on 46 percent shooting from the floor, 30 percent from deep. Per 100 possessions, Dotson’s numbers extend to 30 points, three steals, six assists, and seven rebounds.
So why a 20-year-old guard with this much college production slipping in NBA Mock Drafts? Some Mock Drafts do not even have Dotson at all!
Well, we will dive into the x’s and o’s of Dotson’s game in full during his NBA Draft Profile. However, one thing that is a clear red mark on his resume is shooting just 30 percent from deep. In 2020, the league puts a ton of value on a guard that is able to shoot. While Dotson is a slithery finisher around the rim that can finish through contact and go get a bucket, he is also just 6’2.
Those are two big strikes against him, and then you have the Kansas factor. A ton of teams are scared to draft Kansas players because for whatever reason they rarely pan out.
With two picks in the NBA Draft, and the possibility of trading Chris Paul and/or Dennis Schroder this offseason, Dotson is a guy worth taking a deeper look at if you are Sam Presti.
Next. The Strange NBA Draft case of Cole Anthony. dark
Who are some of the NBA Draft prospects you are most interested in?