JT Thor strengths and weaknesses
Strengths:
JT Thor has shown a ton of potential as a floor spacer, shooting nearly 30-percent at his size is something that will catch the eye of NBA teams, especially when you factor in his free throw percentage (74-percent) which teams use as an indicator of how a player’s three-point range will progress. However, he is a streaky shooter. Best used as a catch-and-shoot option, giving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander room to drive to the rim, while also giving SGA a kick-out option.
While he can stretch the floor, JT Thor is also extremely athletic with an ability to leap out of the gym. A unique finishing ability that gives him a multitude of ways to score the basketball.
The defense is off the charts with his 1.4 blocks per game. He also has the trait NBA teams are searching for most in 2021, switchability. Do not let his size and frame fool you, Thor is shifty enough to keep up with guards on the defensive end allowing him to guard 1-5.
Synergy grades out JT Thor as an excellent ISO defender. They also give him a very good rating in half-court settings but excellent at collecting offensive rebounds (and put-backs).
With a glaring hole at the center position, if the OKC Thunder want to make JT Thor a center thanks to his 7’3 wingspan, as a pick and roll man he turns in a 55-percent eFG%. Using him as a “slip” man he leaps to an 86-percent eFG%. SGA being paired with a versatile big can allow him to continue to grow as a playmaker.
Weaknesses:
JT Thor’s inconsistency from beyond the arc is worrisome, especially when you factor in that he never caught fire on mobile triples. Thor’s lack of an ability to shoot off the dribble could compound the problem, but ultimately just being a passable catch-and-shoot player at his size would do wonders.
While Thor did struggle with turnovers at Auburn, his usage and ball-handling opportunities will be limited in the NBA. With his role completely changing the NBA game having much better spacing and playing in a better offensive system, the turnovers should naturally trend down.