The Oklahoma City Thunder own the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. While many are trying to guess where Sam Presti will go with this pick, even reports tying them to prospects and predicting a trade-up move, perhaps the most interesting news comes with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The OKC Thunder is one of the most secretive organizations in the sport. While other teams parade their prospect workouts on social media and place them in front of their local media for interviews, the Thunder keep their cards close to the vest. The only NBA Draft workouts we can track are from agents, players, and social media posts from prospects. This is the smart way to run an organization. You gain nothing from revealing who enters the facility during the offseason. However, something interesting happened on Instagram this week involving a projected first-round pick and the Thunder superstar.
The Oklahoma City Thunder see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander work out with projected first-round pick Kobe Bufkin ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft.
The Guard Whisperer posted on Instagram that he was working out with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kobe Bufkin, and it appears to be Chet Holmgren hidden in the background, basked on the legs and popular red shoes he is seen sporting often.
We are all Bufkin Boys now whether you like it or not pic.twitter.com/OZm9mzilmO
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) June 6, 2023
Kobe Bufkin is an interesting guard that is a few months away from 20 years old. The Michigan Product posted 14 points, four rebounds, and a steal per game, shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc. Bufkin thrives as an on-ball defender, a pull-up threat to spark an offense, and a high-end playmaker.
A pocket of the OKC Thunder fanbase would love to see Sam Presti nab Kobe Bufkin with the 12th overall selection pairing him with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and company.