OKC Thunder: NBA Draft prospect from each Final 4 team to consider
In a perfect world, the Golden State Warriors suddenly get red hot and finish in the top 10 in the NBA thereby conveying their 2021 first-round draft pick to the OKC Thunder.
I recognize the Dubs got thrashed 130-77 by the Raptors last night and currently reside in the 18th position. That means they’d have to climb over eight clubs (both conferences) and makeup four games. It’s not inconceivable — look at what the Suns did in eight bubble games. However, it’s more likely the Rockets lottery balls fall outside the fourth slot.
The point is the Thunder will have two or three draft picks in the first round this year but fans won’t know until after the season and the lottery occurs precisely how many and in what position.
At a minimum, the Thunder will get the two best picks from their own, the Heat and Rockets with the latter 1 through 4 protected, and again, if miracles happen also get the Golden State pick.
One prospect OKC Thunder should consider drafting from each Final Four team
Suffice to say, this draft class is meriting extra attention based on circumstance as well as the fact it’s chock full of talent. Generational talent to be more specific. The 2021 class was earmarked as a strong class eons ago. Factor in a global pandemic that caused some prospects to hold off for a year and it’s teeming with what could be the strongest class since 2003 (LeBron’s class). Or even a more recent class that produced several cornerstone talents –the class of 2018 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Trae Young, etc).
With that in mind, this weekend is about much more than chocolate bunnies for Thunder Nation faithful and NBA fanatics. The annual NCAA basketball event, March Madness comes to a completion with the spotlight on the Final Four.
Tonight, the tournament’s top two seeds (Gonzaga Bulldogs, Baylor Bears), eighth seed (Houston Cougars), and this year’s Cinderella representative (UCLA Bruins) or the 44th seed will battle to play on Monday to determine the 2021 champion.
At 5:14 pm ET, the South’s No 1 (and No. 2 overall), Baylor plays the Midwest’s No. 2, Houston. At 8:34 pm ET, the tournament’s top seed and West rep, Gonzaga plays the East’s No. 11 UCLA.
To add some excitement to the mix, Intentions isolated key players from each team that Thunder Nation should pay attention to. Although Cade Cunningham made an early exit there are quality prospects playing in these games and ones who could potentially find their way to OKC.
Two of the teams are unlikely to find representatives ascend into the lottery portion of the draft but are players worth paying attention to regardless. If Sam Presti has taught us anything, it’s that quality players don’t always get drafted. Just ask Luguentz Dort and Moses Brown who’ll be pulling for his UCLA Bruins to upset Gonzaga.
With that, let’s dive in…