OKC Thunder: How 6 top draft prospects compliment Gilgeous-Alexander

Evan Mobley

For the Thunder to be in a position to draft Evan Mobley they would obviously have to trade up into the top three (Cleveland may be a willing trade partner). Who wouldn’t want to team with a versatile big man that can get up and down the floor, switch and guard on the perimeter, erase mistakes in the paint and put down lobs with force?

That’s just the tip of the iceberg on what Mobley could potentially bring to the NBA. Count the Canadian in that group as a pro who would greatly benefit from Mobley as a devastating pick and roll partner.

Jalen Suggs

I’m extremely high on Jalen Suggs as an NBA prospect, I just view Suggs as a tad more complicated fit alongside Shai. If you view Gilgeous-Alexander as the future facilitator with the ball in his hands, I believe it makes Suggs a little redundant.

Going back to the 2019-20 season, SGA proved he can be effective off the ball playing with Chris Paul.  But that was a one-year scenario and it feels like many in the organization envision Gilgeous-Alexander as the lead guard of the future.

Even though Suggs displayed an ability to be effective off the ball at Gonzaga, it appears his best position in the NBA is at point guard.

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But if the Thunder did elect to draft Suggs, they would obviously have a plan and I have zero doubt SGA and Suggs would make it work and be a dynamic backcourt going forward.

You’d need to trade up to at least the fourth spot to attain Suggs, but if Toronto is as fond of Kuminga and/or Barnes as some reports suggest, there could be business to be had if the Thunder indeed wants to pair Suggs with SGA.

Stay tuned:

You’re going to want to be tuned in over the next couple of days, as in addition to the top prospects just discussed, the Thunder may have their eye on the biggest prize. Tamberlyn Richardson notes that Sam Presti is still invested in traded up for the top pick.

Whether that happens or if the OKC Thunder move up for another pick remains is yet to be determined.  One thing certain is that Presti has the draft capital and salary cap space to be in the conversation for anything he sees fit.

Who will the OKC Thunder settle on with the sixth pick along with 16th and 18th picks later in the first round and the 34th, 36th, and 55th selections overall? How will those pieces fit around the OKC Thunder cornerstone?

Stay tuned to what promises to be just the beginning of a busy and fascinating offseason for OKC.

The NBA Draft airs at 7 pm (CST), Thursday night (July 29) on ESPN, ABC & NBATV.