OKC Thunder have worked out a plethora of NBA Draft prospects

The NBA Draft is right around the corner so it is an information gathering time for teams, prospects, and fans. One of the biggest questions asked by fans is always “has x player worked out for the OKC Thunder?” trying to find any crumb of information regarding their favorite team or prospects.

It is important to note that the OKC Thunder smartly elect to keep this information in-house. Unlike the Indiana Pacers, the Thunder don’t release a list of names to the media nor make prospects available to the media following workouts. This allows OKC to have a competitive advantage and allows Sam Presti to have a bit more secrecy ahead of the draft. It is a strategy I would also use if I somehow became an NBA GM.

As a result, this list is made up entirely of prospects that I have personally found out about their workouts through sources, social media, and at the NBA Draft Combine.

It is also important to realize that an NBA workout or interview with a team does not mean as much as we think it does. Take it for what it is, “a touchpoint.” Once July 29 rolls around these teams will lose access to these prospects for at least three or four years. Interviewing and working them out now will help make roster decisions down the line. When evaluating which players you would or would not like to trade for or sign in the future, there is a bonus in having some sort of relationship already.

Who has worked out with the OKC Thunder?

Jalen Johnson, SF, Duke: After leaving IMG Academy early and departing from the Duke Blue Devils after just a handful of games in the 2020-21 College Basketball season, it raised some red flags around the NBA for a once highly rated prospect. Johnson told the media at the combine it was a move he made to get ready for the league. With his draft range still up in the air, all 30 teams should take a meeting with Johnson to figure out how legitimate the red flags are.

Keon Johnson, G, Tennessee: Keon Johnson can leap out of the gym, setting records at the combine for his jumping ability this raw athlete was connected to OKC early. One of his first interviews during his pre-draft experience happened with the Thunder. Johnson, who is a polarizing prospect on the floor, made it known he hopes to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy with the organization that selects him. Johnson tells me that he received great feedback from OKC.

Isaiah Todd, F, G-League Ignite: Todd is one of my favorite prospects in this draft, after consistently putting him in the top 30 of my big boards, it is great to see his climb recently. He is a perfect fit with the Thunder.

Sandro Mamukelashvili, PF, Seton Hall: There is not a second-round prospect I covet more in this NBA Draft for the OKC Thunder than Sandro Mamukelashvili. No, It is not just because he talked glowingly about the organization. His potential and NBA traits make for unmatched value in the second round.

Austin Reaves, G/F, Oklahoma: Austin Reaves would mark the first Oklahoma Sooner to ever play for the Oklahoma City Thunder if he is selected and survives training camp with the OKC Thunder.

Sharife Cooper, G, Auburn: One of the best playmakers in this class that will go in the 16-20 range in all likelihood.

Trey Murphy III, G, Virginia: A brilliant sharpshooter that fits the mold of what Mark Daigneault has looked for over the last year.

Matthew Hurt, F, Duke: An Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) target that would make some sense as an addition post-draft with the NBA Summer League returning in early August.

Josh Primo, G, Alabama: A fun guard to watch that likely will fall below OKC’s range.

Corey Kispert, F, Gonzaga: One of the older draft prospects, but he does possess an elite NBA skill from day one with his shooting from beyond the arc.

Aamir Sims, F, Clemson: Another UDFA target for the OKC Thunder to consider. I could see him possibly going at 55, though that would be a stretch.

Ayo Dosunmo, F, Illinois: The Oklahoma City Thunder have conducted two workouts with Ayo Dosunmo, including a recent trip to Oklahoma City. This could be a sign of great interest in the Illinois product.

Vrenz Bleijenbergh, F, Belgian: Vrenz is operating without an agent for now, and has made all his workouts public via his social media accounts. A 6’11 guard by his own definition. The Thunder are actually the team to inform Bleijenbergh that he is in fact 6’11 after he previously thought he stood 6’10. Vrenz is the rare second-round projected prospect that already has a cult-like following in Oklahoma City thanks to his awesome social media accounts. As a basketball player, he would rank right behind Sandro Mamukelashvili s the player I most want to see in OKC past the first round.

Chris Duarte, G, Oregon: Another older prospect as Duarte was almost collecting social security at Oregon. The 24-year-old sharpshooter makes a ton of sense for playoff-bound teams in 2021-22, not so much for Oklahoma City.

EJ Onu, F/C, Shawnee State: EJ Onu is a player I have high hopes for in the second round. Onu is a fluid 6’11 big man that dominated the NAIA and has received a ton of draft interest.

Tre Mann, G, Florida: A spunky guard that can shoot the lights out of the gym and create for himself. I have questions about his long-term fit in a starting group, but he can be a long-term priority bench piece.

Brandon Rachal, G, Tulsa: Rachal plays stellar defense and can be a Summer League fan favorite, but he falls closer to the UDFA range for me than a second-round pick.

Carlik Jones, G, Louisville: I should probably just copy and paste what I said for Rachal to Jones. I have the same outlook on each player, an interesting summer league could garner some G-League looks. If they blow a team away, maybe they snag a two-way deal.

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Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee: Springer is another player flying up draft boards, for good reason, much like Keon Johnson he is better than his college tape shows. Not only was Springer dealing with an ankle injury, but an awful system at the University of Tennessee with no true point guard to help either combo guard.

Justin Champagine, F, Pittsburgh: Another older one-dimensional player, at 20 years old with only one NBA trait (shooting), I do not see Champagine being a fit with OKC.

Scottie Barnes, G/F, Florida State: Scottie Barnes is a player OKC fans fell in love with a month ago after the NBA Draft Lottery saw the Thunder fall to six. Since then? Barnes is climbing up boards with whispers he could go as high as four, and major interest from the Magic at five. The Thunder might not be able to grab the big FSU playmaker.

Bones Hyland, G, VCU: Bones Hyland had an impressive combine that helped leapfrog him into the first round. Hyland is an offensive weapon that can be helpful to teams picking at the back half of the top 30. A good blend of NBA-Ready traits and upside.

Feron Hunt, F, SMU: A UDFA prospect that is working out for teams mainly for a Summer League invite.

Neemias Queta, C, Utah State: Neemias Quetta could be an interesting player at pick 55. If Queta is selected on July 29th, he would represent the first Portuguese-born player to be selected. If he makes a regular-season appearance this year, he will be the first Portuguese-born player to take part in such a contest.

Jonathan Kuminga, F, G-League Ignite: Jonathan Kuminga is one of my favorite prospects, despite taking his first fall in my big board to six. Kuminga has Kawhi-like upside with a frightening floor that could see him go the way of the dodo bird without the right NBA setting. Luckily, it feels as though OKC is the perfect spot for the G-League Ignite product.

Kai Jones, C, Texas: Kai Jones is another player the OKC Thunder should target with pick 16. A rim-running center with highlight potential at any moment. There is also optimism around the league that Jones can stretch the floor at some point in his career.

Moses Moody, G, Arkansas: Moses Moody is a fan favorite in OKC, for good reason, a top ten prospect on my board. However, he is in what I would call the “awkward zone.” While the Thunder have a trio of picks in the upcoming NBA Draft, his range falls right between the Thunder’s sixth selection, and 16th pick. If OKC turned in a draft card that had Moses Moody’s name on it at six, it could be considered a reach, however, at 16 the Arkansas product would be a steal.

Isaiah Jackson, Big, Kentucky: After pulling out of the NBA Combine there were whispers that Jackson had a promise from an NBA team. Today we learned he has since had multiple workouts with NBA teams including the OKC Thunder. Jackson mentions he had a “good workout” in OKC and “really enjoyed the facilities.”

Yves Pons, Forward, Tennessee: With a seven-foot wingspan, Pons was a very good defensive player in college. That is his lone NBA trait for now, with his athleticism and raw ability despite being 22-years-old there is some hope of offensive upside. Pons will be a target at pick 55, and certainly a player to snag for the Summer League if he goes undrafted.

Aaron Wiggins, Guard, Maryland: Another defensive-focused player who did just enough in college to believe he could progress as a 3-and-D option in the NBA. A back half of the second round or priority UDFA signee is in Wiggins’s future this week.

Cam Thomas, Guard, LSU: Cameron Thomas is a pure bucket getter, a confidence-dripping tantalizing talent. One of the players I consistently mock to OKC and makes a ton of sense for the Thunder.

Mark Vital, Wing, Baylor: Vital is a 6’5 250 wing that is already 24 years old. After winning a title on a Baylor team that was littered with guys old enough to rent a car, Vital is an undrafted free agent target that could be a fun summer league player similar to Deonte Burton. Vital was named to Seth Davis’ 2020 All-Glue team.

Davion Mitchell, Guard, Baylor: The undersized defensive star that had a shooting outburst last season is projected to go in the lottery. Some tabbing him for as high as seven. I would be stunned if he lands in Oklahoma City unless he suffers a draft-day stumble on Thursday.

James Bouknight, Guard, UCONN: The presumed number six overall pick confirmed to me during an NBA Pre-draft interview that he has met with the OKC Thunder, including a workout and dinner with Sam Presti. Bouknight calls a possible pairing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander “deadly” and thinks they would build something “special” together in OKC.

Matt Coleman, Guard, Texas: a spunky guard from the University of Texas who was once thought to be a first-round talent, now has a chance to slip completely out of the draft.

Anthony Tarke, Wing, Coppin State: A 6’6 swiss army knife who presents a great summer league try-out option.

Jordan Hall, Guard, Saint Joseph’s: One of the top playmakers in the country who dazzled his freshman season, but has since pulled his name out of the 2021 NBA draft.

Herb Jones, Forward, Alabama: The 22-year-old is a fun late second-round project. Jones had a stellar season at Alabama which included seeing a leap in his three-point percentage stroking the deep ball at a 35-percent clip. He earned the 2020-21 SEC Player of the Year award, was named the 2020-21 SEC Defensive player of the year, was twice named to the All-Defensive Team for the SEC, and earned all-conference honors this season.

This list will be updated as more names emerge that have worked out with the OKC Thunder.

Next. Ringer's latest mock gives OKC Thunder a good haul. dark

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