Pick 12 has Recent History of Producing Top Talents
Oklahoma City didn’t move up or down in the NBA lottery on Tuesday instead staying put and earning the No. 12 pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
While the No. 12 pick isn’t the flashiest pick on paper, it has produced good talent over the course of the league, and in particular recently. It will be the second consecutive year the Thunder have selected at the 12th slot with OKC drafting Jalen Williams in 2022.
Williams had an immediate impact for the Thunder, finishing his rookie season as the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award. Williams, a Santa Clara product, averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting over 50% from the field.
Williams is not the only successful Thunder piece to be drafted No. 12 overall in the organization's history. The team selected Steven Adams in 2013 and the Supersonics drafted Mr. Thunder Nick Collison back in 2003, both panned out well for the team.
Adams is a career starter, now with the Grizzlies, and was a massive help to the Thunder’s run in the early part of the team’s history. He averaged 9.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for his career, and had his most successful run with the Thunder. Collison still has a massive impact on the organization and had a long successful career.
Other No. 12 picks, who are still around the league may sound familiar to Thunder fans as well as current OKC member Dario Saric was drafted by Orlando at No. 12 in 2014. He has developed into a strong 3-point shooter who helped OKC at times last season after being acquired at the trade deadline. Former Thunder guard Jeremy Lamb was drafted at the 12th position in 2012 by Houston.
Short-term Thunder acquisitions Alec Burke and Kelly Oubre Jr. were also selected 12th in their respective drafts.
With Williams being the most recent example, the recent run of No. 12 picks have carved out impressive roles in the NBA, quickly. PJ Washington, 2019, is a strong forward for the Hornets who has continued to improve and build a solid resume in the league. He finished with a career high in points per game this season with more than 15. Tyrese Haliburton, 2020, was traded last season from Sacramento to Indiana, but that didn’t slow him down. He was tabbed as an All-Star this season and continues to be one of the young rising stars of the league.
Since 2010, the No. 12 pick has produced significant stars as well as impressive role players who have made their presence felt in the league. Though OKC didn’t land a top-10 pick and won’t be the home of prized prospect Victor Wembanyama there is still a good chance of OKC finding a helpful piece to the rotation.
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