OKC Thunder NBA draft profile: Scottie Barnes – point forward potential

The top quintet of the 2021 NBA Draft has been cemented on mock drafts and big boards the majority of the season. Yet, in the weeks leading up to draft night, two players are shaking up the order with Scottie Barnes the dark horse threatening to move into the top five. If no shifts occur Barnes will offer OKC Thunder VP Sam Presti a viable option to select with the sixth pick.

As Intentions noted in our prior profiles on Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Kuminga some of the teams who landed the top picks were open to veering away from the established mock draft quintet based on prospects who impressed them. The Raptors will select fourth was vocal about how much Barnes impressed them but mum on any commentary about Suggs.

With their strong development staff, they may already see the fixes needed to tweak his shooting mechanics, and perhaps that’s why they were so vocal.

Other top teams also cited their interest in the youngster and as the ESPN panel noted Barnes is the prospect gaining buzz especially after a strong combine showing:

"I do think scouts and executives are nitpicking Kuminga more than they should given his talent at a position every team needs. But if he were to indeed fall out of the top five, who could leapfrog Kuminga? As Jonathan Givony wrote after the combine, Scottie Barnes is the favorite. His shooting and scoring shortcomings won’t be for everyone, but his engaging personality, defensive versatility and playmaking at 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan give him an incredibly high floor."

OKC Thunder draft prospect preview for Scottie Barnes:

Specifics:

• Height: 6’9″
• Weight: 225 pounds
• Wingspan: 7’3
• Position: Combo Forward
• Birthdate/Age:  July 31, 2001 – 19 years
• College: Florida State, freshman
• Stat line: 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals
• Home Town: West Palm Beach, Florida

Box Score Statistics:

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 7/11/2021.

Current Ranking:

Barnes was ranked 11th in the prior Ringer mock draft but leaps up to sixth in Kevin O’Connor’s recent update.

• • The Ringer: 6th
  • NBA DraftNet: 6th
  • ESPN: 6th
  • CBS Sports: 7th
  • NBA: 8th
  • Bleacher Report: 6th
  • FanSided The Step Back: 7th

  With that let’s dive a little deeper into Barnes to determine his strengths and weaknesses.

  

  Scottie Barnes strengths and weaknesses

  Strengths:

  In years past Scottie Barnes would be the prototypical player Sam Presti would have at the top of his list.  An elite defender with a 7’3″ wingspan, a standing reach of 9′, and large hands that are drawing comparisons to Kawhi Leonard.

  His ascent with Florida State was quick this season as he was coming off the bench but became so intrinsic to the Seminoles success he moved into the starting rotation.

  His defense was the main factor but his ability to run the offense was another key factor In the modern era of basketball point forwards are always appealing and Barnes is well on his way to checking that box.

  Although he’s only 19 his body is already NBA ready (6’9″, 225 pounds). His strength, speed, and quick decision-making mean he’s capable of guarding one through five.

  Adding to the allure is his work ethic and motor coupled with an engaging personality.

  Weaknesses:

  Barnes has all the skills to develop into a premier point forward but is limited to mid-court shots and drives for the moment.

  Those limitations are almost solely based on his shot as he struggles from the perimeter. A harbinger for how a young player’s perimeter shot will develop is often linked to free throw efficiency. In Scottie’s case, his 62.1 free throw percentage doesn’t offer optimism for a quick fix.

  That said, he put on an impressive show at the Combine, and when buzz begins to build around a player like Barnes who has specific weaknesses the belief is teams feel the pros outweigh the cons. Moreover, they likely see what needs to be tweaked in his mechanics.

  

  Pro Comparison:

  Analysts clearly envision a defensive specialist with the potential to affect the game given the nods to Draymond Green, Pascal Siakam as comparisons.

  Other players analysts noted as doppelgangers were a taller and bulkier Michael Carter-Williams and Jabari Parker. MCW is a point guard not a forward but I can understand the pick. However, I’m seriously at a loss for how Parker was tapped especially given his defensive shortcomings when Barnes is an elite defender.

  OKC Thunder fit:

  Truthfully the prospect of having Barnes and Dort on the floor together would have opposing offenses quaking in their kicks. Unfortunately in any scheme other than run and gun would find opposing defenses licking their lips.

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  Look – Dort wasn’t considered a 3-point shooter nor was Lonzo Ball who like Barnes had mechanical issues with his shot.

  Guaranteed the youngster will put in the work so it’s not inconceivable he could adapt and improve quickly. Just the fact that Toronto was more excited about Barnes should offer optimism for whatever club selects him as their development group must believe his shot can be easily tweaked.

  Frankly, I’m in the camp who believes Presti will trade up to nab one of the top three players but if he stands pat landing Scottie Barnes with the sixth pick wouldn’t be a bad choice. Especially if Barnes is projected to turn into a player with the ability to run the point and lead the team’s defense. The question is how Presti would envision playing Barnes when he already is investing in Aleksej Pokusevski – who is yet another forward who could run the offense.