Now that the 2022–23 season has come to an end, it’s time to move into draft talk and start looking at some potential players the OKC Thunder can draft. The team has some holes on both sides of the court, and even though Chet Holmgren fills most of them, there are still a few prospects that will help out next year.
So here are some players that I like and think the OKC Thunder could potentially draft with their pick.
Who are some of the perfect fits for the OKC Thunder in the 2023 NBA Draft?
Jarace Walker – Houston
Position: Forward
Stats:
- 11 Points Per Game
- 6.8 Rebounds Per Game
- 1.8 Assists Per Game
- 1.3 Block Per Game
- 1 Steal Per Game
- 46 Field Goal Percent, 35 Three Point Percentage, 66 Free Throw Percentage
Jarace Walker most likely won’t be on the board when it’s time for OKC to pick and they would most likely have to trade up to get him, but I still believe he’s worth talking about. Walker is a very versatile player who is a wrecking ball on defense and a skilled playmaker as well.
His versatility, inside scoring, feel for the game, athleticism, and size are what make him such a great and interesting prospect. Standing at 6’8″ and with a football player’s size, Walker is a force inside the paint and at getting stops.
Due to his versatility and shot blocking, Walker can run small-ball lineups, which the Thunder ran a lot of this season. Even if he’s off-ball, he would still make an impact through passing lanes, etc. Jarace also fills another hole for OKC; rebounding. He is a monster when it comes to rebounding and can move anyone out of the way.
When he gets a rebound, he’s still a threat to make a play on an outlet pass/opportunity. When a player gets open for a shot, Walker can swing the ball across the court and always keeps the ball moving, never letting a possession go to waste. The freshman is also very talented in the interior. Because of his size, he’s able to run through defenders. And with his good footwork, he’s able to get to the rim on his own and finish against contact, acrobatically, etc.
However, Jarace Walker still has things he could work on. His three-point shot is lackluster and isn’t that great at the free-throw line either. Both of these could raise a concern about his shooting ability in the NBA. His handle also isn’t that good and is a bit lose at times. Being careless with the ball, going into traffic, trying to force a pass that isn’t there.