CBS Sports' 2024 NBA Mock Draft Has Thunder Landing Two Former Five-Star Recruits
The Oklahoma City Thunder has a big opportunity ahead of them. On top of being 41-18 and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Thunder has plenty of first-round draft picks to look forward to.
For a team that seems to be well-rounded at each position, with a good deal of starter-level talents, drafting can be tricky. Drafting players with the potential to fight their way into the rotation seems to be the best option as their development along the way can help extend the team's championship window.
CBS Sports' Kyle Boone released an updated 2024 NBA Mock Draft, which had the Thunder drafting two lottery talents with picks No. 10 and No. 11 -- thanks to the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz.
Pick No. 10 - Ron Holland, G League Ignite
At pick No. 10, which would be the Thunder's selection via the Rockets pick, the team would land former five-star and top recruit in the 2023 recruiting circuit in Ron Holland.
"I've long been a fan of Holland's athleticism and potential and he's shown growth this season with G League Ignite with his handle," Boone wrote. "He has a lot of room to develop as an offensive weapon, though, particularly as a shooter and a facilitator. Lot to like about his potential but some concerns about him being a bit one-dimensional at this stage."
The 6-foot-8, 206-pound forward would fit into the Thunder's positionless scheme. Shooting just 24 percent from beyond the arc leaves plenty to be desired on the offensive side of the floor, but his overall game has plenty of upside.
Holland is currently averaging 20.6 points per game for the G League Ignite while providing 6.6 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per game. Fortunately for Holland, one of the top talents in the draft class, playing for the Thunder and having a refined role within the team would help him when it comes to decision-making with the ball.
Evidently, landing with a team like the Thunder, Holland could maximize his talents and hide some of his flaws as a prospect, while also having an opportunity to develop under a good program.
Pick No. 11 - Isaiah Collier, USC Trojans
While the Thunder traded two point guards in Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic at the trade deadline because of its guard depth, Collier would provide good upside and comfort at the position.
The future of Josh Giddey, at this time, seems shaky with the Thunder, and a player like Collier could alleviate some of the pressure to make sure the team retains Giddey.
"USC's dream season with No. 1 recruit Collier has veered into nightmare territory, but Collier is not solely responsible," Boone wrote. "When healthy he has been highly productive and shown the type of lead guard, downhill driving and playmaking ability we expected from him. A team may get a bargain on a potential top-five talent if he falls this far."
Seeing a lead guard like Collier shift to a team like the Thunder, where his role would be much smaller with the ball and decisions would come quicker would be interesting. Like Holland, though, the suspect jump shot could be cause for concern offensively and might be the very reason a player like Giddey might see his role in the rotation deteriorate come April in the postseason.
Still, landing two former top talents and five-star recruits late in the lottery could be worth the risk for the Thunder, who has room to miss on some draft picks. Their current lineup has five incredible starters, with multiple starter-level players on the bench.
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