3 players Thunder likely regret not taking in NBA Draft after Summer League finale

Yves Missi

After last year's second-round demise, it was evident that the Thunder needed to improve upon the size on the depth chart, as their two most prominent frontcourt players in 2023-24 were Jalen Williams (playing power forward at 6-foot-5) and Chet Holmgren (7-foot-1 but weighs 207 pounds).

This necessity was more so prevalent before and during June's draft, as they managed to snatch up gritty big Isaiah Hartenstein early on in July's free agency period, but, even still, it couldn't hurt to have one more traditionally sized big within their arsenal.

Yves Missi could have realistically been a prospect who would have filled this need, and his play during Summer League is only reinforcing the notion that he could have been a great fit on this Oklahoma City squad.

While he may be an underwhelming commodity on the offensive side of the ball, as he posted a mere 10.7 points per game during his one-and-done season at Baylor and averaged just 8.0 points in four outings this summer, this incredibly deep Thunder team that rosters four players who scored in double-digits per game last season doesn't necessarily need another bucket-getter.

What they could use is a shot-swatter and board gobbler to help them improve upon their 27-ranked rebounding efforts from last year's campaign, and, by all measures, Missi is exactly that.

In 21.7 minutes a night with the Pelicans SL club, Missi pulled down 4.8 rebounds (2.3 on the offensive end) and rejected 1.8 blocks per game.

Coming into the association, it was the belief of many that the 20-year-old projected as a solid low-post enforcer thanks to his impressive IQ and astounding 7-foor build accompanied by a 7-foot-2 wingspan.

This Summer League proved these expectations are certainly warranted.