Thunderous Intentions
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What should you expect the OKC Thunder to do with the second overall pick?

By Rylan Stiles

Chet Holmgren #34 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs is introduced before a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas during the Good Sam Empire Classic basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 22, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs defeated the Chippewas 107-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Chet Holmgren #34 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs is introduced before a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas during the Good Sam Empire Classic basketball tournament at T-Mobile Arena on November 22, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs defeated the Chippewas 107-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
Jabari Smith #10 of the Auburn Tigers reacts in the second half against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 20, 2022, in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) /

The second most likely outcome for the second overall pick is the OKC Thunder selecting Jabari Smith Jr after the Orlando Magic pull off the smoke screen of all smoke screens to tip off the 2022 NBA Draft

As of two weeks ago, it was a foregone conclusion that Jabari Smith Jr would be the top overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. However, a vegas shift in the betting odds made it appear that the race was closer than many believed. Still, almost every insider expects Jabari Smith Jr to be the first overall pick come Thursday.

Jabari Smith Jr is only working out for two teams, the Orlando Magic and the Oklahoma City Thunder. When the NBA Draft prospects began interviewing with those of us in the media, he gave us the reasoning behind this move. Smith said “I don’t see myself falling below two. Just keeping that mindset going into it. That is why I kept it to those two.” 

That is a bold move from a top prospect to not even build a relationship with Houston, his agencies likely feel confident from the feedback they got in Oklahoma City and Orlando that he will be a top-two pick on Thursday. However, there have been instances of teams selecting a player they did not work out in the past including last year when the Kings selected Davion Mitchell.

Related Story. Jabari Smith Jr works out with OKC Thunder. light

Ultimately though, Smith Jr is the top player on my big board and solidified that spot throughout SEC play. If the Magic pulled the carpet out from under OKC, Smith Jr is a nice consolation prize.

The 6’10 forward was a consensus All-American, All-SEC member, and the rookie of the year in the SEC.

Jabari Smith Jr logged 34-games 17-points, seven rebounds, two-assist, a steal, and a block per game. The Fayetteville, Georgia native hit 42 percent of his three-pointers last year, though he did struggle inside the arc. despite being comfortable shooting over defenders in the mid-range he only made 42 percent of his two-point field goals.

Being able to guide on the perimeter and at the rim makes Smith a perfect modern defender mixed with his incredible three-point shot, and the fit next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey is near seamless in Oklahoma City.

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