Potential OKC Thunder Target Dariq Whitehead to Undergo Second Foot Surgery

Dariq Whitehead will need a second foot surgery due to a lingering foot injury, which could land him in the Thunder's draft range.

A healthy Dariq Whitehead was projected to be a mid-first round selection in the upcoming NBA draft. However, due to a lingering foot injury, Whitehead is preparing for a second surgery ahead of the draft.

He suffered the injury prior to this season, his freshman year, which caused him to miss the first four games of the year. He then played the remaining 28 games of Duke’s season, before foregoing his eligibility and heading into the draft. However, Whitehead’s original injury did not heal properly, which has led him to need a second surgery.

Reports are that despite the untimely surgery and injury news, he is expected to be healthy and ready to go for the beginning of the NBA season.

With the new injury news, Whitehead could see himself drop down the draft board, and he could even be in a position to drop to OKC’s second round selection. Whitehead would present a huge win for OKC if he were to fall due to his abilities and high ceiling.

In his lone collegiate season, Whitehead averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and one assist per game. The 6-foot-7 forward is also a tremendous 3-point shooter, as he shot 42.9% from beyond the arc this year.

The forward would provide OKC a significant boost to their wing depth and shooting abilities. OKC could use both of those as they continue to push toward completing their rebuild after a successful season and play-in experience.

Whitehead, was once thought of as one of the top prospects in the draft, but after injuries and a shaky season, he could present himself as a steal in the late first or early second-round in the draft.

Though it’s unlikely he will be on the board for OKC’s second round selection, if he were to be on the board the Thunder would be a perfect match for Whitehead as they continue to build roster depth. 

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