The 2023 NBA draft is over and the Oklahoma City Thunder came away with two rookies: Cason Wallace at No. 10 and Keyontae Johnson at No. 50.
Overall, it was a relatively quiet night for the Thunder. That is likely to change next year; OKC could own as many as four first-round picks:
- Thunder first-round pick
- LA Clippers first-round pick
- Top-four protected Houston Rockets first-round pick
- Top-10 protected Utah Jazz first-round pick
In For The Win’s 2024 mock draft, the Thunder had three first-round selections: their pick, the Rockets’ pick and the Clippers’ pick. Let’s look at who FTW’s Bryan Kalbrosky has the Thunder adding with their three selections. All ages listed are how old they’ll be when the 2024 draft is held:
No. 5: Izan Almansa (via Rockets)
(G League Ignite: Forward, 19 years old, 6-foot-9)
“The Houston Rockets will keep this pick if it falls between No. 1 overall and No. 4 overall. Otherwise, it is owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This class is going to have some wild cards and one of the guys worth betting on is Izan Almansa. He was named MVP at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup, averaging 27 points, 16.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.2 blocks per 40 minutes for Spain.
He was also named MVP at the FIBA U18 European Championships.
This summer, he is once again impressing for Spain during the FIBA U19 World Cup in Hungary. He had 17 points (8-for-11), 8 rebounds and 2 blocks during his first appearance. Alamansa followed that up with 21 points and 7 rebounds against France and 24 points and 6 rebounds against China.
Alamansa, who has a 7-foot-1 wingspan, played well during his time with Overtime Elite.
He averaged 0.29 ball screens set per offensive chance during those games, via Stats Perform, the most among all prospects we have projected in the first round.”
No. 11: Trentyn Flowers
(Louisville: Forward, 19 years old, 6-foot-8)
“Trentyn Flowers is one of our favorite sleeper picks, although he was indeed a standout during the 2022 Nike EYBL Peach Jam tournament. He averaged 21 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per 40 minutes.
“His versatility is there,” an NBA scout told For The Win. “He can facilitate and initiate offense as a secondary playmaker. He can score at every level and play above the rim.”
Flowers already has a great feel for the game and he offers pro-caliber size, conditioning and work ethic.”
No. 21: Cody Williams (via Clippers)
(Colorado: Forward, 19 years old, 6-foot-8)
“Expect that the Thunder take a serious look at Cody Williams. The incoming freshman is the younger brother of Oklahoma City forward Jalen Williams.
He was a breakout star for Perry High School, playing especially well during 2022 Hoophall West. He averaged 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game during the tournament.
Williams is playing for Team USA at the 2023 U19 World Cup in Hungary. He had just 4 points and 0 assists during a narrow victory over Slovenia but looked far better against Lebanon, recording 13 points with 4 rebounds and 3 assists.”
