NBA Mock Draft: Thunder Grab Offensive Swing in 2023
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With just a handful of games left in the 2022-23 season, all signs are pointing towards Oklahoma City owning either a late lottery or mid-first selection in the 2023 NBA Draft, likely their lowest top selection in a few years.
Despite that, there’s still plenty of talent to be had in that range for general manager Sam Presti and the Thunder.
In The Ringer’s latest mock draft released on March 9, Kevin O’Conner has Oklahoma City selecting Michigan freshman Jett Howard fourteenth overall.
A surprise one-and-done for the Wolverines, Howard has earned lottery buzz via his frame and impressive, potential three-level offense. He averaged 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 41 percent overall, 37 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent at the line.
While his splits worsened as the season went on, O’Conner thinks he could still be a longterm selection for OKC: “Howard isn’t totally ready to compete at the next level because of how raw he is. But with size and scoring prowess, he presents upside that a team like the Thunder can afford to wait on. And if they end up whiffing, they have so many other picks and young talent that they can withstand the loss.”
Howard would be an intriguing fit in the current Oklahoma City system, being able to size anywhere from two to four, but especially as a scorer playing off of Josh Giddey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and more.
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