Thunder linked as possible landing spot for polarizing young center this offseason
By Mark Nilon
While this year's OKC Thunder team still has great odds of heading into their first playoff excursion in four years as a top-three seed, to many, they are still a ways away from being considered a legitimate threat to take home the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
From their lack of experience to their underwhelming size and physicality, Mark Daigneault's squad seems to be missing several key components that have been attributed to championship teams throughout the years.
Fortunately for them, however, should they not achieve ultimate glory this year, during June's NBA Draft they may have an opportunity to secure a low-cost, high-upside commodity that, at the very least, could help address their troubles in the dimensions department.
As things currently stand, the Thunder hold the rights to three first round picks in this year's festivities, one of which is slated to be stationed within the lottery.
While there are a number of ways Sam Presti and company could opt to utilize such luxuries, Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman recently made the argument that OKC may be one of the best fits for incoming rookie, Zach Edey.
Thunder tabbed as one of 'best fits' for Purdue big Zach Edey
Though not viewed as a future star in the association, with guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams already in the fold perhaps all this team needs is a player who can bang down low, gobble up rebounds and second-chance opportunities, and, simply, play their role within the rotation to a tee.
To Wasserman, this is exactly what Edey projects as at the next level.
"Edey will continue playing to his strengths as a low-post scorer, finisher, offensive rebounder and drop defender. He just won't be used as often, and his minutes figure to be more in line with a backup's or lower-level starter's because of defensive limitations.
- Jonathan Wasserman
He'll likely spend more time setting screens, rolling and hanging in the dunker's spot next year, though he should continue to have success with back-to-the-basket hook shots when he has position and the spacing is right."
Coming off his second straight National college player of the year win, Edey went on to post a tremendous stat line of 24.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 62.5 percent from the floor.
At 7-foot-4, 300-pounds there's an argument to be made that the 21-year-old could be an ideal fit alongside the lighter and more floor-space oriented Holmgren down in the frontcourt for this Thunder team.
Be it in the late lottery or perhaps even early on in the first (his projected draft range at the moment is quite polarizing), Oklahoma City should strongly be considering the idea of nabbing Edey in this year's draft.