Grading 2020 NBA Draft: OKC Thunder are active and aggressive
The OKC Thunder ushered in a new era with an active, aggressive draft night. Find out where T.I. ranked the clubs based on selections, trades, and fit.
With the 2020 NBA Draft in the books and free agency in full motion, there is finally time to look back at the event and absorb all the picks, trades, and surprises. The OKC Thunder front office started the week aggressively and continued that focus through the draft.
GM Sam Presti has fully embraced this new era and rebuilding phase which is being reflected by his action and decisions. Unlike previous years when draft prospects and free agents were selected to fill supplementary roles, this new OKC Thunder era is about taking risks.
The first move he made on draft night reflected that strategy as the Thunder traded up to grab the big risk and hopefully big reward youngster Aleksej Pokusevski.
Expect more of the same over the next few years as Presti will seek a generational talent (or two, or three) and like Pokusevski swing for the fences to find that prospect who could be the next big superstar if developed and nurtured in the right system.
In fact, the Thunder opened the night with a pre-draft trade with the 76ers and remained active throughout the night. It’s something fans should get used to as Presti has become so adept at collecting draft picks fans are going to see a lot of them over the next six to seven years.
With that, let’s reflect back on the draft grading the teams and discover where the Thunder land within the group. I’ve grouped the clubs based on the overriding effect their draft picks made.
We start with the three clubs who had access to the prospects considered as the best trio in the class.
Timberwolves
- Anthony Edwards (1st), SG, Georgia
- Leandro Bolmaro (23rd), Combo guard, Argentina
- Jaden McDaniels (28th), PF, Washington
The Wolves and Gersson Rosas were in the spotlight with the top overall pick and delivered in most regards although they ignored addressing a vital team weakness (defense).
Anthony Edwards as the top pick was a no brainer given his fit within the Wolves system and the two superstars already on the club. In fact, it was more a matter of the poor fit between James Wiseman – Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell – LaMelo Ball whereas Edwards compliments the duo and Russell specifically.
I’m keen on Bolmaro as a playmaker and a prospect who demonstrated great fundamentals while McDaniels is more of an offensive threat but has issues with fouling and his motor is in question.
Overall, the trio selected are solid prospects but they all came in the first round so they should be, and again, ignoring the defensive issues is a strike against Rosas.
Grade B
Warriors
- James Wiseman (2nd), C, Memphis
- Nico Mannion (48th), PG, Arizona
- Justinian Jessup (51st), SG, Boise
That the Warriors learned quite literally hours prior to the draft that they had lost Klay Thompson for a second consecutive season was devastating news.
Whether that changed the directive of the club or not we haven’t heard. I’d lean toward it didn’t change the draft as much as it changed the tenure and safety of Andrew Wiggins in Golden State. Every conceivable trade involves the Canadian but with Thompson out Wiggins is required and therefore it’s unlikely he’s headed anywhere anytime soon.
Of the trio of top talents in this year’s draft class, Wiseman was absolutely the right pick and best fit in Golden State. Some believe he’ll develop into a true talent along the lines of Chris Bosh or Rasheed Wallace. If he does that would mean he’ll be a great “third” on the Dubs depending on how long the Splash Brothers can feast on the league.
Mannion was a lucky get at 48th given many earmarked him for the first round and Jessup has potential sniper skills. Both will presumably spend most of their time in the G-League and likely won’t be expected to contribute for several seasons.
Grade: B+
Hornets
- LaMelo Ball (3rd), PG, NBL
- Vernon Carey Jr. (32nd), C, Duke
- Nick Richards (42nd), C, Kentucky
- Grant Riller (56th), PG, Charleston
When Michael Jordan brought in Mitch Kupchak in the spring of 2018 the Hornets salary sheet was a mess while the team was mired in mediocrity. They still have work to do but now they have young Something is happening in Charlotte and I’m not sure if it’s just the addition of Mitch Kupchak or if Michael Jordan is more involved. There was talk of the Hornets trading up (I think to nab James Wiseman) but they hung tight and selected LaMelo Ball.
Also, unsure if LaMelo Ball was the player they wanted when there was talk of trading up (I think it was Wiseman) but with the rise of Devonte Graham, having a playmaker like Ball to hook him up as well as PJ Washington and the ever-improving Miles Bridges should equate to wins. I wasn’t a big LaMelo fan especially his fit with the Wolves or Warriors but he fits the Hornets like a glove.
The addition of two centers pulled from top-level programs and a four-year guard with chops made this a clean sweep.