The OKC Thunder, after a surprising pick with the sixth pick, and trading away the 16th pick, were back on the clock with the 18th selection.
With many Thunder fans and media alike had Sam Presti pegged for selecting a big man on this center-less roster, the Oklahoma City General Manager zigged while everyone else zagged.
OKC Thunder select Tre Mann with 18th overall pick
The Oklahoma City Thunder have spent the day pulling rabbits out of a hat and leaving fans with their jaws dropped to the floor. Tre Mann is no different as a surprise pick.
OKC adds a 6’5 guard that is already 20 years old, turning 21 mid-way through his eventual rookie campaign.
Mann played a couple of seasons at the University of Florida, he represents the highest selected Gator in the NBA Draft since Bradley Beal in the 2012 NBA Draft.
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Tre Mann averaged 16 points per game in his sophomore campaign at the University of Florida, hauling in over five rebounds a contest and dishing out three assists in 32 minutes per tilt.
The most impressive part of Mann’s game is his three-point shooting, stroking the trey ball at a 40-percent clip. The Gainsville, Florida native has limitless range, being able to pull up as soon as he crosses the timeline.
The guard represents a shooter the OKC Thunder have rarely had, and if this draft shows up anything it is to get the traditional idea of what OKC values in prospects out of your head. There is are new philosophies and new values within Oklahoma City’s decision-makers.
Tre Mann adds to a roster full of guards. While it is likely the Thunder ship off Kemba Walker prior to the start of the year they have no shortage of ball handlers.
From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Theo Maledon, Ty Jerome, and Josh Giddey to even Aleksej Pokusevski, Lu Dort, Svi Mykhailiuk who need the ball in their hands some and the latter two playing guard for the bulk of their minutes.
Oklahoma City has an interesting decision to make this weekend when it comes to extending a 2-million dollar qualifying offer to Svi Mykhailiuk. After electing to not extend a QO to Tony Bradley earlier in the week, I still expect the organization to make Mykhailiuk a Restricted Free Agent.