OKC Thunder: One free agent target from every Western Conference team

Memphis Grizzlies

2021 Free Agents:

• Tim Frazier
• Killian Tillie

2021 Draft Picks:

• Forward, Ziaire Williams (10th)
• Forward,  Santi Aldama (30th)

While some fans were shocked by the Raptors Scottie Barnes and Thunder Josh Giddey selections at fourth and sixth I wasn’t in that group. Barnes was long reported to be a Raptors favorite (and he’s such a prototypical Nurse player). In my mock, I had Giddey going just one pick after OKC to the Dubs and even suggested he was another prospect Masai Ujiri might target.

Instead, it was the selection of Williams at 10th that had me slack-jawed because he wasn’t even in my top 30. Memphis has been excellent at drafting talent so maybe this is just one I whiffed on — still it was surprising.

As for the Grizzlies free agents, it’s slim pickings with only two candidates.  Memphis elected to pass on the team option for Justise Winslow making him an unrestricted free agent. His series of injuries have hampered what seemed destined to be a long career. He may be the type of young vet a team could take the Presti resurrection path with.

That said Tillie is the option here, as an intriguing young center, although it’s unlikely the Grizzlies don’t retain him given the exit of Jonas Valanciunas.

Minnesota Timberwolves

2021 Free Agents:

• Ed Davis
• Jordan McLaughlin (restricted)
• Jarred Vanderbilt (restricted)

The Wolves will once again be invested in moving the team toward the win column or risk having Karl-Anthony Towns become the next star who demands a trade.

With only three Wolves free agents all of which hold no appeal for the OKC Thunder it’s not even worth pontificating about. Rather, it’s a reminder of how easily things can go south for perpetual lottery teams!

San Antonio Spurs

2021 Free Agents:

• Keita Bates-Diop (restricted)
• DeMar DeRozan
• Rudy Gay
• DaQuan Jeffries (team)
• Trey Lyles
• Patty Mills
• Quinndary Weatherspoon (restricted)

2021 Draft Picks:

• Guard,  Joshua Primo (12th)
• Forward, Joe Wieskamp (41st)

Another shocking draft pick was the Spurs picking Primo (and I’m Canadian) especially with so many talents still on the board.

In a similar fashion to the Exum pick, I’ll tap Patty Mills as a mentor for Giddey.

Utah Jazz

2021 Free Agents:

• Jarrell Brantley
• Mike Conley
• Trent Forrest
• Ersan Ilyasova
• Juwan Morgan
• Georges Niang

2021 Draft Picks:

• Guard, Jared Butler (40th)

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

Utah got an absolute steal landing Butler with the 30th pick. There may be injury concerns were not privy to but let me remind you of Michael Porter Jr. and what he turned into. At this point in the draft, to get Butler is worth the risk especially if the injury is uncertain. It was Butler, not Jalen Suggs won the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. In addition, the Jazz added two future second-round picks

The fact that Utah was able to add two future second-round picks made the deal even sweeter.

Again, like many Western Conference teams, the Jazz free agency list simply doesn’t offer anyone I can even pretend Sam Presti should feign interest in.

Let’s just say the Derrick Favors trade makes this selection a wash.

Now get comfy, grab a drink make sure your cell phone notifications are turned on, and await the Woj Bombs!