OKC Thunder draft prospect profile: Anthony Edwards

Pro Comparison:

Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer lists Victor Oladipo, Eric Gordon, Dion Waiters as the most logical comparisons. Others have suggested his size is similar to James Harden.

Asked who he feels he compares to Edwards suggests he sees similarities to Dwyane Wade and believes he can be better than the Flash.

Given his size and how he can take the ball to the hole either Oladipo or Wade are fair comparisons although they both are premature especially given his poor efficiency from range. At 19 there is more than ample time for the youngster to develop his shot and decision making so we’ll need to revisit these comparisons in a few years.

Personally, I see another player as his doppelganger. Based on those spin moves, drives, and ability to score off the dribble if he works hard and develops his footwork, I think he projects to be closer to DeMar DeRozan.

Current Ranking:

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

Note: All rankings are pulled from Big Board placement as they reflect where the authors value the talent of the prospect. Mock Drafts by the same sites and authors may be drastically different especially this season with the unusual draft process. Couple that reality with the fact this draft class is an unusual group with copious guards and differences of opinions on the talent level.

• The Ringer: 2nd
• NBA DraftNet: 1st
• ESPN: 1st
• CBS Sports: 5th
• NBA: 1st
• Sports Illustrated: 1st
• Bleacher Report: 4th
• Basketball Insiders: 1st
• FanSided The Step Back:1st
• FanSided Hoops Habit: 1st
• FanSided Busting Brackets – First Round Mock Draft: 3rd
• Sporting News: 1st

OKC Thunder fit:

Although Edwards is a safe selection he’s not a guard who I’d be pushing Sam Presti to give up assets or draft picks for in order to move up to grab him. He’s likely to be selected first, second or third and if he is the expectation will be for him to make those Wade, Oladiopo, or DeRozan comparisons come to fruition.

And, even if he reaches that ceiling he’ll still be a secondary or tertiary option on this team. The recent news seems to have everyone shining a light on the Golden State Warriors picking him if the Wolves pass but that feels like the Dubs trying to get cute so Minnesota leaves Wiseman (a better fit for GSW) alone.

Unless Bob Myers is going to trade Andrew Wiggins why would they be keen to add another guard to the mix? Especially with the Splash Brothers back this season. Adding a wing or a big man makes much more sense and if they were going to add a guard selecting someone with better passing skills and defensive prowess would make more sense.

The OKC Thunder don’t pick until 25th nor should they be looking to trade up for Edwards. Presuming, Sam Presti is committed to the rebuild phase and trading Chris Paul and other vets it still wouldn’t warrant giving up assets or picks to trade up for Edwards.

I won’t spoil the party – but I’d rank another guard way ahead of Edwards for Presti to trade up for Stay connected with our prospect previews to discover who that guard is!