3 emerging trends OKC Thunder must heed when selecting NBA Draft picks

 Big men are here to stay

In recent seasons, the switch to small ball and bigs with 3-point capability almost led to the extinction of the prototypical center. While more skilled bigs are definitely overtaking the old school centers there is renewed hope for big men.

Consider the big men who were vital to their team’s postseason victories and the reemergence of the center makes sense. In fact, bigs of different styles are succeeding.

Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic are the do-it-all versions of bigs who are so skilled they can operate as point centers. Rudy Gobert and Clint Capela are the defensive versions with limited range or skill sets. Albeit, the former did get played off the court versus the Clippers’ small ball lineup but only so many teams will have that capability.

However, the best news for centers and ones considered more in the prototypical category have Deandre Ayton to thank. The young center has done what Gobert couldn’t do which was force Ty Lue to abandon his small-ball starting unit and reinsert his big man Ivica Zubac. And, while Joel Embiid does have perimeter range it’s his mastery in the paint where he shines.

Moving forward the lesson for Sam Presti is having a big who specializes in rebounding and paint scoring is a valuable commodity and the Thunder will need at least one player to fit this role.