How Amari Bailey Could Provide Great Second Round Value for Thunder

As the NBA Draft looms, more and more fans and players await the names to be announced on the special night. It’s a big night for teams, too, as they’ll be taking the players that they feel can help them take their product to the next level.

Though the big impact names usually come in the first round, we’ve seen some second round picks pan out and make real impacts on their respective teams.

A big portion of drafting at any level is the fit for the player and the team. Not always in the sense of on-court fit immediately, but in the sense of the player being able to develop and mold their game into the team’s system.

For the Thunder, Amari Bailey is a fun prospect to look at, specifically with pick No. 37 in the draft. Bailey was a clear-cut 5-star prospect heading into his college career. Though his draft stock isn’t where it might’ve been projected heading into college, he still has the upside and potential as a prospect.

In terms of fit, Bailey could be a great second round pick for the Thunder. First things first, he’s young. That’s the main fit. He’s got plenty of time to develop with the Thunder and ultimately become a player they may need in the future.

As a shooter, Bailey’s value comes with his potential. He may be able to develop a more consistent jumpshot, which would ultimately make him a solid guard to insert off the bench with the Thunder.

The biggest selling point for Bailey in the second round is his decision making. He’s decisive enough to make on-the-point decisions, which is the main prerequisite for a backup point guard in Oklahoma City, as they don’t run the second unit’s offense through a lead guard.

With a potential opening for a backup guard, Bailey could develop into a potential rotational piece providing a little bit of everything the Thunder need, including his impressive two way game.

Overall, Bailey’s game is still raw and young, as he could have benefitted from another season in college, but evidently that could help the Thunder swoop in and take him with lower value and build his game at the next level.

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