The OKC Thunder are clearly targetting James Bouknight depending on how the NBA Draft board shakes out on Thursday. The rumors surrounding Oklahoma City being a landing spot for the offensive scoring threat have been met with mixed reactions by Thunder fans. However, he is certain that combining him and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be “deadly.”
James Bouknight calls fit with OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander “deadly”
During James Bouknight’s pre-draft interview with the NBA Media, I asked him about his contact and fit with the OKC Thunder. After confirming he has worked out with the Thunder and had dinner with the team’s General Manager Sam Presti, Bouknight expanded on his potential fit with the organization.
James Bouknight on his fit with the OKC “I feel like I can play with any players, any coach, any system. Me and Shai in the backcourt I feel like that could be deadly…us being so young that could be real special.” Mentions Dort. Pronounced it “shy” but he will learn quick.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) July 26, 2021
The OKC Thunder are looking for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s co-star. After his incredible leap during the 2020-21 season, the soon-to-be maxed contract point guard needs a running mate in the backcourt. Like many, Bouknight views himself as that.
James Bouknight is a prolific scorer on the offensive end, able to get to his spot, creates his own shot, and score at all three levels of the court.
While his 3-point percentages do not reflect how good his range is, he has fixed that perception within NBA circles thanks to his private workouts, pro days, and NBA combine performance.
He fits the timeline, he fits the offensive profile of a player OKC would want next to SGA if Bouknight hits his ceiling, but there is also an underrated part of his game.
As noted previously, Synergy rates James Bouknight as a good defender last season. He is not the normal one-sided player, he has a desire to be an elite defender. With a starting out of a good rating, a hope to be elite, and Mark Daigneault’s reputation of developing defenders, OKC could have a two-way star on their hands.
The UCONN product also notes he was an elite baseball player, claiming that if he had a month to practice, he could play Major League Baseball this season.
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
With Bouknight’s main interest coming from Oklahoma City, Golden State, and Orlando it will be interesting to see exactly where he lands on Thursday.
The only that that is clear, James Bouknight will be the first NBA Lottery pick from Brooklyn since Stephon Marbury. The two-time All-Star went fourth overall in the 1996 draft. One slot ahead of a UCONN guard. Seattle star, Ray Allen.