NBA Mock Draft: Who could the Thunder take?
ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz are two of the best in the industry when it comes to evaluating talent. Last week they released their latest mock draft, which lays the groundwork for how the 2021 NBA Draft could unfold.
While it's still unclear where Oklahoma City's first round picks will fall, it's still interesting to see where these prospects sit in each tier of the draft. While the guys in the top-five seemed to be locked into that range, there could be quite a bit of variability the remainder of the draft.
With the 2021 NBA Draft Lottery taking place on June 22, the Thunder could end up with two top-five picks, zero top-five picks, or anywhere in-between. Nonetheless, let's take a look at the lottery (picks 1-13) within ESPN's recent mock draft and who is projected to be taken near the Thunder's potential picks.
| Team | Player | College |
|---|---|---|
1. MIN | Cade Cunningham | Oklahoma State |
2. HOU | Evan Mobley | USC |
3. DET | Jalen Suggs | Gonzaga |
4. ORL | Jalen Green | G League Ignite |
5. CLE | Jonathan Kuminga | G League Ignite |
6. OKC | Keon Johnson | Tennesse |
7. WAS | Davion Mitchell | Baylor |
8. ORL (via CHI) | Jalen Johnson | Duke |
9. SAC | Franz Wagner | Michigan |
10. NYK | Scottie Barnes | Florida State |
11. TOR | Isaiah Jackson | Kentucky |
12. SAS | Corey Kispert | Gonzaga |
13. NOP | Cameron Thomas | LSU |
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Tracking OKC's likely draft picks
Currently on an 11-game losing streak, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 20-38 and have the fifth worst record in the NBA with 14 games remaining. In one of the most talented classes in the past few years, they will have a real chance at selecting at least one player who will be a long-term starter, or perhaps franchise-changing talent.
