Three Draft Prospects For Thunder Fans to Watch in March

Oklahoma City's spot in the draft is a massive question mark, but ideal prospects are all over the board.

For the first time in what feels like a long time, Thunder fans won't be glued to draft boards post-All Star break. Oklahoma City’s success on the court has bumped the team down in the lottery standings, but the organization’s young core is learning its potential.

Even though the standings will fluctuate the rest of the season, OKC is in a prime position to trade up if necessary. Outside of the top two picks, it feels like the Thunder have more than enough firepower to target any player in the 2023 draft. The roster looks closer to being finalized than ever before and it’s going to be impossible to use every draft pick accumulated moving forward. If there’s a player Sam Presti loves, he won’t miss out.

All eyes will be on the Thunder down the stretch, as the team could potentially push for the play-in late. But a side-eye should look to March Madness, just to get a good idea of who would fit in Oklahoma City,

With conference tournaments on the horizon, here are three players for Thunder fans to watch in March:

Jarace Walker

Walker would be a fantastic fit in Oklahoma City’s lineup and a unique front court running mate for Chet Holmgren. At 6-foot-8, Walker is averaging 11.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in 26 minutes for the Houston Cougars. The star freshman is a big reason why the Cougars are 25-2 and ranked No. 1 in the country.

At 235 pounds, Walker has an unmovable frame and serious strength. He fits in with Oklahoma City’s small lineup and is interchangeable between positions, similar to Jalen Williams. Walker can guard forwards and help Holmgren with bigger matchups. At Houston, he’s shooting 38.7% from long range, showing solid long term 3-point potential too.

Gradey Dick

Thunder fans seem to be enamored by the idea of the Kansas star in an Oklahoma City uniform. Dick is averaging 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Jayhawks. He’s firmly established himself as one of the top shooters in the country, checking in at 40.7% from 3-point range. The talented freshman is more than just a shooter, too, showing potential as a lengthy defender and a bouncy athlete.

The Wichita, Kansas product stands 6-foot-8, adding to his versatility on the perimeter and potential around the paint. He’s another tweener guard/forward that Oklahoma City could use in multiple different lineups.

Cam Whitmore

Through Villanova’s struggles on the court, Cam Whitmore has been a constant bright spot. On the season, the 6-foot-7 freshman is averaging 12.1 points and 5.2 rebounds a game, shooting 46.2% from the floor and 33.3% from 3-point range.

He’s a strong wing with elite instincts and athleticism. Whitmore has the potential to develop into an elite defender, which would make his size that much more valuable. Wing defenders are a luxury in the NBA, and Whitmore's offensive potential is sky high too.

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