OKC Thunder: 3 starting point guard replacement options

OKC Thunder replacement target No. 2) Jalen Suggs

Yes, there is obviously the chance that the OKC Thunder will win the draft lottery — at this point, we’ve said it about a million times since the coin flip commenced last week.

That said, the more likely scenario for the franchise is that they’ll find themselves picking from two to five, as they have a 52.5 percent chance of landing a selection within the top five.

As we stated in the previous slide, this upcoming draft is flush with quality talents and, though the top name is Cade Cunningham, should the Thunder miss out on him, there are still a few other quality point guards they could theoretically pursue with their first pick on the night.

One of those players in Jalen Suggs is actually someone Oklahoma City has often been linked to in mock drafts over the last several weeks.

Another one-and-done guard, Suggs suited up in 30 games throughout the 2020-21 regular season for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and, in the process, posted solid averages of 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.9 steals on 50 percent shooting from the floor and 34 percent shooting from deep.

Known as arguably the best playmaker in this upcoming draft class, the 19-year-old has proven capable of both leading the way as his team’s main ball-handler as well as excelling in off-ball situations, which could prove to be quite beneficial for the Thunder when searching for a backcourt mate to run alongside current star guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

A great two-way prospect, Suggs looks to be a star in the making and would be a great addition to this rebuilding OKC squad.