The OKC Thunder are hours away from the most important NBA Draft in franchise history. After a lack of NBA Lottery luck, the Thunder still need to find a co-star next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, so who are the undervalued prospects entering tonight’s NBA Draft?
The Thunder have selections at all three levels of the draft, owning the 6th, 16th, 18th, 34th, 36th, and 55th selections. With Sam Presti so comfortable taking swings, the organization could find a steal in the range of all six selections.
Five NBA Draft steals for the OKC Thunder
Isaiah Todd leads off the NBA Draft steals category. It is puzzling to me the lack of draft buzz for the G-League ignite product. While being 6’8 and weighing in at 219 pounds, Todd can space the floor stroking the trey ball at a 36-percent clip. He is an elite athlete who is extremely mobile for his size. Todd can be a talented 3-and-D talent while creating shots for himself. Todd has star potential in the 18-34 range.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is a 20 year old forward that represents the “Villanova special” of this draft class. JRE is going to be the Jalen Brunson-Esq player that we look back on and wonder how he fell to the second round.
While Robinson-Earl does nothing elite, he does everything at a good clip. His hustle, interior scoring, mid-range ability, defensive upside, and ability to become a league-average shooter make him an enticing contributor for contending NBA teams.
James Bouknight is flying up draft boards, and for good reasons. A pure bucket getter that has incredible two-way potential. We have already given you a ton of Bouknight propaganda here at TI, but just know he is my 5th ranked prospect on my big board.
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Cam Thomas is the great value version of James Bouknight, and I mean that in the best way possible. For teams who miss out on Bouknight, Thomas represents a spark of offense in his own right. He can truly help carry and define an offense and be a running mate next to a co-star.
For the LSU product who might be had in the teens, it is possible to see Thomas be a number two scoring option on a championship-caliber team.
BJ Boston is a 6’5 playmaking guru that struggled to thrive in a bad Kentucky system. Boston could represent the next chapter of a novel of poorly utilized Kentucky guards that splash onto the scene in the NBA.
As one of the top-rated high school players, a bad freshman season has plummeted him down draft boards. A player who is 19 years old, can create his own shot, with shooting ability and a knack for creating for others, there is no reason to let Boston slip past pick 34 for the OKC Thunder.