How James Nnaji Fits with the OKC Thunder

With the Oklahoma City Thunder entering the offseason, it’s officially time to time to switch gears to prospect evaluation mode.

And this year’s impending draft has plenty of players that can help bolster the OKC core.

No matter how unlikely it is Oklahoma City lands certain prospects, the Thunder Fit series will take a look at how they would fit with the current team’s configuration. And with a war chest of assets, you never know how far the front office could move up to acquire a player.

The next prospect up in the series is international center James Nnaji, who has impressed with his frame and physical game.

Here’s how Nnaji could fit alongside the rest of the Thunder core:

Offense

At 6-foot-10, 225-pounds, Nigeria’s James Nnaji is one of the more productive traditional-style centers in the entire class.

He’s physically ready for the NBA, and should be able to produce at both the forward and center position, despite being a complete non-shooter beyond the line.

Nnaji is going to be a force in the paint, though, making him an intriguing potential selection for Oklahoma City, who has lacked a dominant paint presence for a few seasons now. Chet Holmgren will make his debut in the Thunder lineup in 2023-24, and is likely the play the five. But if OKC wants to create a dominant paint tandem for even more team versatility, Nnaji could be a strong choice.

Defense

Similarly to his offense, Nnaji packs a traditional-style punch defensively, too.

He won’t do much in the ways of perimeter defense, but his paint defense packs a punch due to his natural strength and lateral quickness for his size.

If Oklahoma City isn’t set on Holmgren playing the five role, which won’t be likely due to Holmgren premier shot-blocking ability, they could opt to pair him next to a strongly built five.

Want to join the discussion? Like Inside the Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.