Mock Draft: OKC Thunder Select Former 5-star Recruit with Lottery Pick
Just past the halfway point in the 2023-24 NBA season, the Oklahoma City Thunder sit atop the Western Conference.
Tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves at 34-15, OKC has greatly exceeded expectations this year after narrowly making the Play-In Tournament as a 10 seed in 2022-23.
Fueling the Thunder's rapid ascension is a talented roster cultivated by Sam Presti and company through trades, the draft and even a few waiver wire signings. In addition to the team's deep, talented roster, Oklahoma City also has a whopping three first-round draft picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.
In a recent mock draft published by Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, the popular writer slotted two wings and a forward to the Thunder, starting with former 5-star Ron Holland at No. 12.
Hailing from Duncanville (TX), Holland was the No. 1 player in the 2023 high school recruiting class, according to 247Sports. After originally committing to Texas, Holland backed off of his pledge and agreed to play for the G League Ignite after his high school career ended.
Listed at 6-foot-8 and 206 pounds, Holland is averaging 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.3 steals per game this season with the Ignite. The biggest question surrounding the stellar athlete's game, however, is his shooting ability.
While Holland's 45.5% field goal percentage is reasonable, especially for a prospect who has yet to turn 19, his 23.7% 3-point percentage is worrisome to scouts.
O'Connor argues that Holland's effort, defensive acumen and athleticism would make him a good fit in OKC and that shooting coach Chip Engelland could potentially help improve the Dallas-area product's numbers from the perimeter.
With the No. 13 pick, O'Connor slotted Virginia forward Ryan Dunn to the Thunder.
A 21-year-old sophomore from Freeport, NY, Dunn is listed at 6-foot-8 and 216 pounds. In 22 games this season, the Cavaliers standout is averaging 9.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 57.6% from the field.
Like Holland, Dunn's biggest concern is his 3-point shooting, with the star forward shooting just 24% from beyond the arc this season.
With a 7-foot-1 wingspan, O'Connor compared Dunn to Pelicans wing Herb Jones and former Thunder defensive standout Andre Roberson.
With Oklahoma City's third and final first-round selection, O'Connor slotted Swedish forward Bobi Klintman to OKC with the No. 24 overall pick.
Originally from Malmo, Sweden, Klintman came to the United States in high school to attend Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas. After his prep career was over, Klintman spent one season at Wake Forest.
Listed at 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds, Klintman is now playing for Cairns Taipans in the NBL, averaging 9.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Still just 20-years-old with a 7-foot wingspan and good mobility for his size, Klintman could be another upside swing for the Thunder.
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