NBA Draft: Tristan Vukcevic Would Add Size, Shooting to OKC Thunder Frontcourt

It’s not uncommon for NBA front offices to find hidden gems in the second-round: undervalued players on draft night that slip through the cracks and wind up cracking a team’s rotation, or even a starting lineup, at some point. Famous examples include Draymond Green, Marc Gasol, and Manu Ginobili.

But over the years, the Thunder have struggled to discover such gems.

Yes, Aaron Wiggins and Jaylin Williams, who were both selected in the back half of the draft over the past couple of years, have played some promising basketball to this point, but their futures with the franchise have yet to be determined. Outside of those two, Thunder general manager Sam Presti has struggled to identify and keep talent in the second round during his tenure.

However, in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder will have the rights to the 35th and 50th pick, giving them two chances in the second round to find a player worth keeping around.

One prospect that may be worth targeting is international big man, Tristan Vukcevic.

Tristan Vukcevic, a projected second round pick, has declared for the 2023 NBA draft, a source told ESPN. Vukcevic, a 7-footer with tremendous scoring instincts, is shooting 38% for 3 this season in the Euroleague and Adriatic League with Partizan Belgrade. pic.twitter.com/fgSIbJqgut
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 21, 2023

Vukcevic, a Serbian forward, tossed his name in the draft after averaging 19.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per 40 minutes while shooting 55.9% from the field, 37.9% from beyond the arc, and 80% from the free throw line across 38 games in the Liga ABA — the same league that has produced Nikola Jokic and Dario Saric.

At 6-foot-10 with long arms, Vukcevic’s mix of size, shooting, and ancillary skills at just 20 years old has impressed scouts over the past couple of years and is something Presti has coveted over recent years. This is evidenced by Mike Muscala’s recent stint in Oklahoma City as well as the Thunder’s selections of Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams in last year’s draft.

In March, Draft Digest profiled Vukcevic saying, “he’s proven he can make an impact on day one at the NBA level” on the offensive side of the floor and has “the confidence to be a volume 3-point shooting big.” The digest went on to say, “in the modern NBA, [Vukcevic] has the skillset that fits perfectly.”

But Vukcevic offers more than just shooting. Though he’s not the most refined ball-handler, he is capable of putting the ball on the floor and making the right pass, evidenced by his 13% assist rate. His 21.8% defensive rebounding rate, 2.1% steal rate, and 3.4% block rates are also strong marks as well, indicative of his ability to secure defensive stops and make plays on the ball.

Should Oklahoma City elect to grab Vukcevic in the draft, the overall intersection of youth, upside, size, fluidity, and skill — especially his smooth stroke from behind the 3-point line — would be an intriguing addition to the Thunder’s frontcourt. The prospect, in time, may also pair well with Holmgren, whose 7-foot-6 wingspan can help cover for any defensive deficiencies Vukcevic may have.

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