Leading up to the 2023 NBA Draft, we will update our Oklahoma City Thunder Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Oklahoma City Thunder from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Thunder:
The Rookie Wire — Cody Taylor (5/19)
12. Keyonte George, Baylor
George has the ability to take over games on offense and that could be a valuable asset for the Thunder. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals last season, and holds the program record for the most 20-point games (12) and 3s in a season by a freshman (77). He'll need to improve his efficiency at the next level, but has the tools in place to become a consistent scorer with his ability to create for himself and others.
CBS Sports — Gary Parrish (5/17)
12. Taylor Hendricks, UCF
Hendricks is an out-of-nowhere prospect who is the type of tall, athletic and a proven shooter Oklahoma City prioritizes. He made 39.4% of the 4.6 3-pointers he attempted in his one season at UCF while becoming a one-and-done lottery pick despite being ranked outside of the top 80 in the Class of 2022.
Sporting News — Kyle Irving (5/17)
12. Taylor Hendricks, UCF
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey are already looking like the best young backcourt in the NBA. In this scenario, the Thunder have a stretch-four prototype in Hendricks fall right into their lap, filling their biggest need.
Hendricks has become a staple in the lottery of mock drafts because his skill set and measurables translate so well to the NBA level. The 6-foot-9 floor spacer is a two-way threat, knocking down 39.4 percent of his 3s while averaging 2.6 stocks (steals + blocks) per game. There's a good chance Hendricks is off the board before this pick but if he happens to be available, it's hard to believe Oklahoma City would let him pass.
Hendricks has become a staple in the lottery of mock drafts because his skill set and measurables translate so well to the NBA level. The 6-foot-9 floor spacer is a two-way threat, knocking down 39.4 percent of his 3s while averaging 2.6 stocks (steals + blocks) per game. There's a good chance Hendricks is off the board before this pick but if he happens to be available, it's hard to believe Oklahoma City would let him pass.
The Athletic — Sam Vecenie (5/16)
12. Leonard Miller, G League Ignite
The Scout: I'm calling my shot on Miller. This is earlier than just about everyone will have him. But he's a 6-10 forward who is a terrific, fluid athlete with unique body mechanics that allow him to get defenders off balance as he handles the ball as a driver or in transition. He's an elite finisher with incredible touch, having made 67 percent of his shots at the rim. In 14 games from Feb. 8 onward, Miller averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game with one steal and one block. He shot 55.6 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3 and 82 percent from the line. He figured out the G League quickly last season, really his first season of high-level basketball. I think he has real upside long term, and I bet he rises as people see him throughout the process.
The Fit: The Thunder tend to draft guys with terrific positional size, strong basketball IQ and high-level character traits. Miller ticks all of those boxes. And he also fits incredibly well as an elite rebounder and attack-oriented player next to last season's No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren. Holmgren's elite defensive anticipation, shot blocking and floor spacing would pair nicely with Miller's ability to pressure the rim. This would be one of my favorite potential fits in the draft.
The Fit: The Thunder tend to draft guys with terrific positional size, strong basketball IQ and high-level character traits. Miller ticks all of those boxes. And he also fits incredibly well as an elite rebounder and attack-oriented player next to last season's No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren. Holmgren's elite defensive anticipation, shot blocking and floor spacing would pair nicely with Miller's ability to pressure the rim. This would be one of my favorite potential fits in the draft.
Yahoo! Sports — Krysten Peek (5/16)
12. Jordan Hawkins, Connecticut
Hawkins is an intriguing player and could sneak into the lottery with how valuable he is off the ball and how he impacts the offense as a 3-point shooting threat. He's a player who is continuously moving on offense and he improved his shot off the dribble and was more fluid when getting downhill when the defense crowds him. Hawkins was instrumental in UConn's run to a national championship.
Bleacher Report — Jonathan Wasserman (5/16)
12. Cason Wallace, Kentucky
Ignoring needs based on who's available at No. 12, the Thunder could view Wallace's shooting, passing IQ and defensive pressure as an easy-fit combination and lock to strengthen or deepen the rotation. Oklahoma City could also look to move down for a rim protector like Dereck Lively or trade out for a more instant-impact veteran.
SB Nation — Ricky O'Donnell (5/16)
12. Keyonte George, Baylor
George has a case as one of the most skilled offensive guards in the class even if the numbers from his freshman year at Baylor don't necessarily confirm it. The 6'4 guard can play on- or off the ball, flashed scoring ability from all three levels, and has already mastered the art of getting easy points from the free throw line. On the ball, George is an advanced ball handler who often hunts pull-up jumpers, but can also throw some really impressive passes. Off the ball, he has legit movement shooting potential as a knockdown threat running around screens. So why did George only shoot 33.8 percent from three (on 228 attempts) and 42.4 percent on two-pointers? He lacks top-end speed and leaping, and has a tendency to settle for difficult shots he can make but aren't efficient looks. It would have been nice to see George get some easier buckets against college competition, but his offensive versatility and technically sound perimeter defense should still make him a lotto pick.
CBS Sports — Kyle Boone (5/16)
12. Jordan Hawkins, Connecticut
OKC was in the bottom half of the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage last season and Hawkins would be a clear fit in its system next to two playmaking guards in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.
For the Win — Bryan Kalbrosky (5/16)
12. Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
Ohio State's Brice Sensabaugh is a genuinely efficient three-level scorer who was one of the most prolific shot creators on 2-pointers in all of college basketball.
He made 50 shots at the basket, 50 shots from mid-range, and 50 shots beyond the arc. Among the sixteen high-major freshmen to accomplish this before Sensabaugh, twelve were selected in the lottery. Among all freshmen with at least 50 makes in each zone, meanwhile, he joins one of just four (Markelle Fultz, Lauri Markkanen, CJ McCollum) to shoot 40.0 percent from each zone.
Overall, via AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. Sensabaugh averaged 0.47 points per offensive touch. That ranked as the best among all projected first-rounders.
He made 50 shots at the basket, 50 shots from mid-range, and 50 shots beyond the arc. Among the sixteen high-major freshmen to accomplish this before Sensabaugh, twelve were selected in the lottery. Among all freshmen with at least 50 makes in each zone, meanwhile, he joins one of just four (Markelle Fultz, Lauri Markkanen, CJ McCollum) to shoot 40.0 percent from each zone.
Overall, via AI-Powered statistics provided by Stats Perform. Sensabaugh averaged 0.47 points per offensive touch. That ranked as the best among all projected first-rounders.
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