Recapping the 2023 NBA Draft for the Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder completed their 2023 NBA Draft, bringing in two new players. A month ago, the Thunder were slated to pick at picks 12, 37 and 50. During the NBA Finals, the Thunder sent pick No. 37 to the Denver Nuggets and a future first for a 2029 first round pick.
So, the Thunder entered draft night with only pick No. 12 and pick No. 50. High lottery picks were expected to be available, but most teams sat on their hands, except for the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers swapping pick No. 7 for pick No. 8.
However, the Thunder got in on the trade action by moving up two draft slots from pick No. 12 to pick No. 10. They traded with the Dallas Mavericks, but Sam Presti didn't have to give up any future assets. The teams swapped picks, and the Thunder sent a traded player exception (TPE) in exchange for Davis Bertans, which allowed the Mavericks to dump salary cap.
With pick No. 10, after the trade, the Thunder selected Cason Wallace, a 6-foot-4 point guard. He provides elite defense and upgrades the Thunder's backup point guard position. As a shooter and elite defender, Wallace will provide a solid impact in his first year and will be the perfect second unit player for the Thunder.
The Kentucky product, who wore the same jersey number at Kentucky as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will provide another point of attack defender to add to the mix. He'll also be able to add more to his game defensively behind Lu Dort, and can improve his offensive game with help from Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.
To be able to expend to future assets and get Wallace, who will be a seamless fit with the Thunder and is in one of the best positions to thrive, the Thunder brought some incredible first round value.
The draft wasn't over after that, though, as the Thunder still held pick No. 50. After quite some time waiting, they selected Kansas State's Keyontae Johnson. He had recovered from a scary collapse during his time at Florida, and had an incredible fifth-year senior season with the Wildcats.
For the Thunder, Johnson will provide an off-the-bench energizer that will give everything he has. When getting open looks with plenty of time, he can provide shooting and he will use his frame on both sides of the ball to excel. Being able to score with the ball when needed combined with his defense, Johnson has the potential to thrive in the Thunder's system.
Being near the end of the draft, Johnson will likely receive a two-way contract, which the Thunder get three of this season. As the Thunder have progressed through their rebuild, they've given each and every prospect a chance to prove their value and assume a bigger role. The most recent example of this is Isaiah Joe, and before that was Aaron Wiggins.
Overall, the Thunder had a solid draft, given that they likely have a set starting five for next season. They weren't drafting a player expected to start, but rather filling in the roster with players that can work in the system and provide a long-term, positive impact.
Thunder Draft Grade: B+
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