Though the OKC Thunder are playing through their final weeks of the regular season and are pegged as favorites to take home the Larry O'Brien Trophy as they head toward their second consecutive playoff run, General Manager Sam Presti is almost certainly already mapping out ways in which he can make this team even better come 2025-26.
From potential summer trades to looming contract extensions, the storied executive will have a ton on his plate this coming summer.
Of course, the first objective on Presti's offseason agenda is figuring out what to do during June's NBA Draft, an event where Oklahoma City could find themselves in possession of several, highly valuable selections.
While there are some who believe the organization could ultimately opt to offload their picks in favor of keeping their current collection of ballers intact, with how stacked this 2025 class is considered, there's a strong possibility that, at the very least, the Thunder will look to hold onto at least one of their draft rights during the festivities.
If this turns out to be true, fortunately for them, one of the most suitable potential targets for the franchise just recently announced his intention to enter the 2025 NBA Draft.
UConn wing Liam McNeeley a perfect NBA Draft target for Thunder
UConn wing Liam McNeeley officially declared for the NBA Draft on April 1, as first reported by ESPN.
The 19-year-old spent his one-and-done season at the collegiate level posting impressive per-game averages of 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists through 27 contests while finishing with high-praise honors such as Third-Team All-Big East and Big East Freshman of the Year.
Despite his final conversion rates of 38.1 percent shooting from the floor and 31.7 percent from distance, scouts and analysts alike still believe that his stroke is well equipped to translate to the next level as a spot-up, off-screen shooter while his ability to run and get out on the break should flow well into the transition scoring department.
Liam getting us started 📞 pic.twitter.com/mn3XMwO7SR
— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) March 23, 2025
In other words, everything the Thunder covet and could use more of within their seventh-ranked catch-and-shoot scheme and fourth-ranked per-possession transition offense.
While he may not possess star player potential, considering the enviable state of Oklahoma City, they don't necessarily need another talent like that within their arsenal.
Frankly, if they are interested in pursuing someone in the middle stages of this year's draft via the LA Clippers' pick (which will be eligible to be swapped with OKC's own), with how their roster is currently constructed, they should strongly consider looking into adding a tweener forward to compliment fellow forward Jalen Williams (especially if they transition back to him playing the four) who can further help space the floor as an off-ball asset on offense.
With his particular skill set coupled with his 6-foot-7, 210-pound frame, the mid-round projected Liam McNeeley seems to be the ideal fit.