H.H. has OKC Thunder taking Scottie Barnes in latest mock draft

Over the past several months, the OKC Thunder have found themselves shuffling all over the projected 2021 NBA Draft board, with hypothetical selections ranging from the low lottery to a top-five pick.

In a rebuilding phase such as the one Oklahoma City is currently in, focusing on draft strategy is important, for the hope is that the right pick will help aid in the team’s success for years to come.

Luckily, the Thunder already have a franchise player currently in place in the All-Star snub, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, so their approach to the illustrious night can seemingly go in a multitude of directions, with many players seemingly fitting into the team’s scheme alongside the stud guard.

Essentially, General Manager Sam Presti has the luxury of going after the best available player, which should come as no problem being that this incoming rookie class is seemingly stuffed with impressive talent at many different positions.

Though we saw the franchise linked to the ninth slot in last week’s mock from Bleacher Report, where they are seen nabbing Arkansas guard Moses Moody, post Monday’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Final, FanSided’s own Hoops Habit came out with a reactionary first-round mock and, in it, writer Corey Rausch has OKC in the seventh slot where they select Florida State forward, Scottie Barnes.

Hoops Habit has OKC Thunder selecting Scottie Barnes in recent mock draft

Citing their bevy of draft picks for the years to come, Rausch believes that the OKC Thunder could wind up seriously benefiting from taking a chance on the talented 19-year-old:

"The Oklahoma City Thunder own an entire round’s worth of picks in the future and therefore can afford to take a swing on the player with the highest potential available. Scottie Barnes was not good for Florida State during the tournament, but he has the raw tools to be an All-Star in the future. The Thunder are showing night in and night out that they can get the most out of players so the fit should be seamless."

As stated, Barnes was a relative disappointment in the NCAA Tournament, but throughout his one-and-done season in the Sunshine State, he proved to be a highly versatile point-forward with tremendous court vision, unbelievable defensive chops, and a player who could seemingly excel right off the bat in the NBA.

Through 24 games played in the regular season, the forward posted per-game averages of 10.3 points, four boards, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and half a block on 50 percent shooting from the floor. Barnes managed to take home accolades such as ACC Freshman of the Year, ACC Sixth-Man of the Year, and Third-Team All-ACC honors.