OKC Thunder 2021 NBA Mock Draft – the new era reformulation begins

Since we’ve reached this stage of the draft with no additional OKC Thunder first-round picks, the following are the prospects that Intentions projects to be selected19 through 30.

Despite making it to the postseason the Knicks are still a work in progress. It’s rumored the Knicks are trying to improve their draft position. They possess the 19th, 21st, 32nd, and 58th picks.

It’s a wise idea for Leon Rose to package his picks since coach Thibodeau doesn’t exactly have a penchant for playing rookies. While the club could use depth at several positions their greatest need is to add offense since they ranked 22nd in the regular season and 15th in the postseason.

For years Travis Schlenk used the draft to shape his core. Last season he went for broke bolstering the roster by signing free agents that came with big contracts. The resulting effect was the Hawks possessed one of the deepest clubs in the association, but now Schlenk has reached a crucial crossroad where he either pays to maintain constancy or replaces the depth with youth and economical contracts.

Danilo Gallinari, Clint Capela, and Bogdan Bogdanovic will earn a cumultive $57.5 million next year.  John Collins is the first of the young core up for contract renewal. The Hawks can match any offer but it’s going to cost them.

Collins, Capela, Solomon Hill, and Onyeka Okongwu provided depth upfront but the latter had surgery in late July to fix a torn labrum and will be out six months.

Lou Williams, Tony Snell, and Hill are also entering free agency (all unrestricted) while Kris Dunn has a player option. And this is just the start as Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, and Bruno Fernando will be on tap next summer with Cam Reddish and DeAndre Hunter on the horizon.

Their financial choices may dictate their draft choices but at a minimum, if Collins and Williams both leave they’ll need to add depth at the point and upfront. Todd addresses the latter.