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OKC Thunder: Nico Mannion could be best fit for modern NBA

By Rylan Stiles

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 29: Nico Mannion #1 of the Arizona Wildcats goes up for a dunk in the game against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion on February 29, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 29: Nico Mannion #1 of the Arizona Wildcats goes up for a dunk in the game against the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion on February 29, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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The OKC Thunder and the NBA World have nothing else to focus on right now than the NBA Draft. Is Nico Mannion the most Modern Day fit?

The NBA world has come to a stop during this global pandemic and with the college season also coming to a close, all we have right now to truly breakdown is the NBA Draft. Conveniently, the OKC Thunder will be big movers and shakers in the 2020 NBA Draft, whenever it is that this event will take place.

With a ton of future Draft assets, and possibly two picks in the first round of this one, Sam Presti has his work cut out for him. Let’s break down possibly the most modern-day prospect in the 2020 class, Nico Mannion.

So far when compiling the biggest storylines in this year’s NBA Draft process, we have talked about the interesting draft stock of Cole Anthony, the underrated guard Devon Dotson, and the player hurt the most from a lack of a pre-draft process. Now, let’s look at who could be the most modern-day player in the class.

As the NBA World and scouts search high and low for a ball-dominate playmaker that also is a sharpshooter from downtown, Nico Mannion could be just who they are looking for.

The sharpshooting guard came into the season ranked sixth on my big board and many had high expectations of him.

Nico Mannion played in 32 games for the Arizona Wildcats, averaging 14 points per game five assists per game, and a pair of rebounds. The Italy native was the leading force for the Wildcats.

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His usage rate this season was 24 percent. Mannion put up five 3 pointers a game and drained them at a 32 percent clip. That number does not jump off the page at you but given the limited spacing in the college game, and the fact that he was the priority for many defenses, it is very respectable.

When you watch Nico Mannion’s game the 6’3 guard can do everything you want out of a modern-day player.  He has crafty ball-handling, and a great shooters touch, along with a startling ability to drive into the trees Mannion has a ton of upside and potential.

At just 19 years old, he has not even scratched the surface of his NBA potential. I think Mannion’s film will be one of the most fun to breakdown as we eventually shift from storylines to film breakdown on Thunderous Intentions.

While Nico Mannion continues to be projecting as an NBA Lottery Pick and the OKC Thunder owning possible selections in the mid-to-late 20’s, the hope of Mannion in Bricktown still is not lost.

As mentioned, if Sam Presti falls in love with Mannion, he can move up and get him with ease. Not only can he package one or maybe two picks this year (depending on how the protections fall), but Presti has almost endless future draft assets at his disposal.

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With his over 400 points produced as a freshman, it is safe to say Nico Mannion will have a huge impact on the offensive side of the floor right out of the gates.

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