The 2024 NBA Draft is officially here.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have the No. 12 overall pick in the draft. This year’s rookie class lacks a consensus top pick such as Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft, it’s anybody’s guess how the lottery will take shape
Here are my favorite prospects that OKC could target in the 2024 NBA Draft
Favorite NBA Draft Prospects for the Oklahoma City Thunder
Best talent available: Top prospects who might fall to OKC
Ron Holland, Forward, G League Ignite
Holland is a 6’8 forward who averaged 18.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks this past season for a dysfunctional Ignite team.
Despite being a very streaky shooter off-the-dribble and not a good spot-up shooter, Holland is an explosive athlete who has an endless motor and finishes well around the rim. The 18-year-old, high-upside prospect would be a much-needed athletic addition for OKC and a versatile defender who’s quick enough to switch onto guards.
Despite there being reports of Holland potentially falling in the draft, I believe it’s unlikely that teams such as Portland (No. 7), Memphis (No. 9), and Chicago (No. 11) will all pass on Holland. But if he does fall on draft night due to being a raw prospect, he’d be a great value pick for an OKC team that can give him time to develop.
Cody Williams, Wing, Colorado
The younger brother of Jalen Williams, Cody Williams is a 6’8 wing who averaged 11.9 points and shot 41.5% from deep as a freshman this past season.
Williams is a versatile wing defender with creation upside, which every team is looking for. And while he needs to fill out more and continue to improve as a shooter, he could turn into a legitimate 3-and-D option for OKC.
Williams could go as high as (pick No. 5) to Detroit, (No. 6) to Charlotte, or (No. 7) to Portland. But if the 19-year-old, high-upside prospect falls out of the Top 10, he’d be a great pickup for OKC at No. 12.
Upside picks: Promising players who’ll take time to develop
Tyler Smith, Forward, G League Ignite
Smith is a 6-11 forward who averaged 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 35.2% from deep this past season.
The 19-year-old prospect has an NBA-ready body. He has the size of a center but the mobility and athleticism of a wing, which could eventually become a good front-court partner with Chet Holmgren.
Smith needs to improve defensively, and his touch around the rim needs improvement despite being good around the dunker spot. However, his upside makes him an intriguing prospect.
Carlton “Bub” Carrington, Guard, Pittsburgh
Carrington is a 6’5 guard who averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists as a freshman this past season.
The 18-year-old prospect a guard with great positional size and has the ability to score off the dribble and provide shot creation, an area that OKC could certainly use and could elevate them both in the short and long term.
With the recent acquisition of Alex Caruso, it seems unlikely and it would be surprising if OKC decides to draft another guard. At the end of the day, predicting what Sam Presti and the Thunder do in the draft feels impossible.
Sleeper picks: Players who are under the radar
DaRon Holmes II, Big, Dayton
Holmes is a 6-9 forward/center who averaged 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks as a junior this past season.
The 21-year-old prospect has all the tools to be an impactful role player. He blocks shots, moves well as a cutter or rim runner on offense and is even capable of knocking down the three-ball.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported on May 31 that Holmes canceled his remaining workouts, due to receiving a first-round promise. He’ll be a good backup big for OKC due to his potential to dribble, pass, and shoot which fits exactly to their play style.
Kel’el Ware, Big, Indiana
Ware is a 7-foot big who averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and shot 42.5% from deep as a sophomore this past season.
The 20-year-old prospect is a rim-running athletic big who protects the rim, he also showed improvements of being a floor spacer by improving from 27.3% to 42.5% from deep from his freshman to sophomore season. Whether teams buy his shooting or not, Ware can provide valuable size, rebounding, and rim protection for OKC.
Ware has been killing his private workouts. Therefore, it’s hard to project where Ware will land. Ware could go anywhere from (No.11 to Chicago), to the mid-20s. I believe he checks off a lot of the boxes and would provide exactly what OKC needs.
