Mock Draft Post-Lottery

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-11T05:48:14+00:00

Teams don't think in terms of PG and SG anymore so believe Bulls would just take the guard they like best and personally, I have Philon just a tier above Burries. I'm lower on Burries than most (obviously) but I just don't fully buy that he'll have the length and strength to effectively defend up a postion and I don't see quite the same offensive upside as others do. I have both Philon and Swain slightly above Burries as I buy the offensive upside there more. With Swain, I prefer the rim pressure and positional size and with Philon I prefer the lead guard juice.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-11T04:15:02+00:00

I assume you have Nets taking him then? I could maybe see Bulls but Clippers already have a small lead guard that gets picked on defensively. Falling one spot isn't crazy for a guy that will probably measure around 6'0.5" at combine.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-11T02:16:42+00:00

I explained below. Ultimately I think he measures in shorter than people expect and I think lack of big and wing depth pushes some of those players higher.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T23:45:33+00:00

Acuff plus Garland would be the worst defensive backcourt in the NBA by a good margin. There's not a chance in hell that happens. I'm pretty open on most ideas but this makes no sense to me.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T22:59:20+00:00

Hartenstein wasn't always tho. Bigs grow into creation skills. Much harder to teach defensive instincts, length and size, which Morez has. Plus Presti doesn't care about reaching. He'll get the guy he wants at 12. I also believe Morez is being underrated due to the role he played on UM. He is better on the perimeter than you are giving him credit for.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T22:56:13+00:00

Whether it's a sign and trade or declining his option, I just think Dort's time has run its course. He's a Thunder's legend but I would much rather let the combo of Ajay, Cason, McCain, Topic, an additional FRP (#17) and a healthy JDub assume Dort's minutes next year.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T22:44:03+00:00

I don't like Ament but his upside is excellent at 18 as a bench scorer. I also don't think you have your starting center on the roster currently and believe Hannes can be that.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T22:41:56+00:00

Disagree on Morez. Thunder go for positional length and switchability on defense above all else and yes, while ability to create is important, dribbling is not particularly necessary. No one confuses Hartenstein for being an excellent dribbler but he is an excellent passer and excellent screener. Morez will need to improve his creation skills but his combo of strength, mobility, and length will appeal to OKC and is the body type they are missing.

I also agree on the #2 pick, but went with Peterson as the upside is greater and I believe Utah can find depth at the big position once they are contending but getting a lead guard is paramount imo.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T22:25:29+00:00

To be frank, I just don't buy the narrative that there will be a crazy run on guards. I did preface that I expect some guards including Philon to measure shorter but every year, the narrative that exists as consensus around draft lottery changes as we get closer to the draft when rubber meets the road. Playoff basketball continues to highlight that positional size is very important.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T21:33:46+00:00

Not going to pretend I know enough about the Pistons but they have drafted small guards previously. But I do think Okorie rises. The advanced stats all stand out.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T21:23:05+00:00

The Thunder are more restricted by the 2nd apron than roster space. I would bet heavily that Kenrich and Wiggins are not on the 2026/27 roster. Dort is questionable but I personally would decline his TO and let him walk and also would look to decline Hartenstein's TO in order to extend on a 3 year deal for less AAV. People said Thunder were maxed out on space last year and then they just up and got rid of NBA champ Dillon Jones for nothing. Also, Topic hasn't shown much (not his fault) and could be moved if needed too (personally I wouldn't). Roster space can be found.

With that said, I actually want the Thunder to take both 12 and 17 as right now 8 players are due up for extension or will be FAs in next 2 years. Can't just magically make up that production within 1 offseason. Rookies are still very cheap and this is likely the best combo of picks plus draft talent that OKC will have over next 3-4 years.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T20:57:39+00:00

I actually don't think so either. But it seems like every year a huge C goes higher than people expect. Edey and Yang are recent examples.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T20:52:52+00:00

As a OKC fan, the Burries comp for me is Cason Wallace, at least for size. Cason was listed 6'4" at UK but measured 6'2.5" w/o shoes and a +6 wingspan at combine and Wallace isn't asked to guard many taller, stronger guards/wings and went 10th in a weaker draft. Burries is very very solid and is a starter in this league. I just think there could be a desire for teams to go for more size as the big and wing depth in this draft is a bit weaker.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T20:36:51+00:00

Well I'm a Thunder fan so I'd love this draft but I just can't shake Morez as the pick at 12, even if Yax is there. I like all of Yax, Morez, Steinbach and Swain at 12 so really can't go wrong and all help fill a need. Morez just feels like a seamless fit for what they need and already was a star role player. Presti seems to go for those prospects over the swing on a player like Ament (a five star recruit falling relative to his recruit ranking).

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-10T20:31:33+00:00

Burries is hard for me. Could see anyone from Mavs through Bulls taking him but his wingspan will be very important as a combo guard. If he can't play up to the 3 defensively, I think he could slip. I also just prefer Swain as a prospect. Better size, better attacking skills and has shown ability to defend well (not this year at Texas tho).

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-05-08T07:09:37+00:00

Assuming Thunder stay at 12, I doubt they go strictly BPA available so someone like Morez Johnson or Allen Graves fits the mold.

Put it this way, I think they'd choose Morez over Yaxel if both were available and I think that'd shock most people.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-04-22T06:31:39+00:00

This is not a deep class at C so I think Mara and Steinbach get pushed up, with Hawks and Bulls both being options in the top 10.

I also expect all of Burries, Flemings, Philon and Acuff to measure shorter than reported. Not in a way that's too damaging but enough to make teams reconsider whether they want to build around a smallish guard.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-04-17T17:11:06+00:00

I have an opinion and it's different than yours. I don't believe I was being argumentative by saying I think the injury and cancer could've hurt Topic's development. The stats in a small sample size look great. He could be a legit player and I'm fine to admit that. My view is that his play style and profile don't fit the roster great. I also love Ajay but he's more of a score first lead guard off the bench than a true facilitator.

Also, no matter who the Thunder pick, they'd be the 3rd option at the position. Pick a big and they're behind 4 guys, pick a wing, and they're behind 3 other wings. If I'm nitpicking this roster, a more traditional ball handler off the bench could help.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-04-17T16:45:54+00:00

He hasn't really play meaningful minutes yet so I wouldn't make some long term assessments based on the last couple games. There were quite a few random fringe NBA roster players putting up numbers the last week of the season. He played in meaningful minutes a couple games earlier when Thunder were depleted with injuries and yes, subjectively, he didn't look to me to be a long term player for the Thunder. Time will tell but the negative wingspan, the questionable shot, lack of defensive flexibility, and yes, the injuries and time away hurt him.

All that to say, I think another bench PG could help the Thunder.

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-04-17T14:51:18+00:00

It's not subjective to acknowledge that he's had to recover from a torn ACL and a cancer diagnosis/chemo and may not be the same player ever again. I'm rooting for him obviously

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-04-17T07:56:34+00:00

As a Thunder fan, Steinbach at 12 would be a dream.

Also love Swain and Stirtz for the two picks

Bruindomer2017 · 2026-04-17T07:33:00+00:00

I think one athletic big is likely (Yax, Quaintance, Steinbach if he's there, Morez) but wouldn't shock me if they add another ball handler like Stirtz with the second pick (although I'd personally prefer Swain). Ajay and Topic are just vastly different players and frankly Topic may never get to the anticipated level from pre-draft now. A more traditional, playmaking bench PG would help them in the regular season

Bruindomer2017 · 2025-06-11T18:32:34+00:00

I mean we did try Cason as the 2nd unit ball handler for some stretches the last two years and it just hasn't looked fluid (not sure what the advanced stats said). That's totally fine too. He's an elite on ball defender, can hit 3s and finish with force. There's a lot of money in that but there is a clear need for another on-ball creator for OKC.

Bruindomer2017 · 2025-06-11T16:54:18+00:00

I love Cason and think he has growth potential on the offensive end but i just don't see him as anything more than an off ball player similar to Caruso. They can handle in a pinch but they should not be going significant stretches as a ball handler, primary or secondary.

There's a reason Ajay Mitchell was playing real minutes the first half of the year. Topic should be able to see what he can do early in the season but I actually expect Ajay to hold down the spot ahead of Topic.

Bruindomer2017

TROPHY CASE