Jarred Vanderbilt is one of the most underrated wings in the NBA Draft. The University of Kentucky is undoubtedly a college basketball powerhouse. A blue blood. With so much depth, talented players often do not get the minutes needed to display their NBA level skill sets. In a log-jam behind first round prospect Kevin Knox, that was the case for Jarred Vanderbilt. The talent is there for Jarred Vanderbilt, who was only allowed to clock in for 17-minutes a game. How this projects into the NBA game will be the biggest question since the onus has been all about floor spacing and positionless basketball. Looking at Vanderbilt the potential is there, but here are questions regarding how many boxes he can check off as his game grows. Let’s dive into the specifics and decipher if Vanderbilt should be a NBA prospect the OKC Thunder should select with one of their two draft picks. Related: Top 15 NBA Draft picks in OKC Thunder franchise history Player specifics: Height : 6’9″ : 6’9″ Weight : 214 : 214 Wingspan : 7’1″ : 7’1″ Position : Wing : Wing Age : 19 : 19 College : Kentucky, Freshman : Kentucky, Freshman Home town: Missouri City, Texas Statline:<doc-sep>NBA Draft night 2018 has arrived and with it, TI’s annual Mock Draft for round one and the OKC Thunder pick plus a bunch of other goodies. With a generational star like Russell Westbrook, Thunder fans get to witness events like 45 point scoring onslaughts to erase 25 point deficits. However, no team, not even the champions boast a roster with 15 of those types. This 2018 NBA Draft class is cited as deep, but at best a handful of these prospects are likely to become star talents. And that will depend on work ethic, system fit, and chemistry. In reality, the majority of the 2018 class will be comprised of the typical talent which fills most rosters. Practically the majority of the prospects will be defined as specialists and role players. All rookies will need to adjust to the uptick in speed at the pro level, complicated defenses comprised of more than zones and talent which will feast on even the best from the class. Sam Presti won’t have much flexibility: As Adam Silver and Mark Tatum announce 52 names Sam Presti will await his turn. By the time OKC makes its first pick at 53, the field will be significantly narrowed. Those remaining will tend to be seniors, one-dimensional athletes, and risk versus reward prospects. Barring a Manu Ginobili sleeper of course. Although not ideal, that may not be a terrible thing given the OKC Thunder offseason uncertainty. Landing a senior who can provide serviceable minutes off the bench may in fact be the best thing for OKC. The other very real problem the OKC Thunder face is salary concerns, so again, adding roster depth with economics in mind will be a running narrative this offseason. Heading into the free agency moratorium on July 1st the other significant timelines occur just prior. Carmelo Anthony has until June 23rd to opt into his contract and Paul George has until June 29th. The hope is the former will opt out, but don’t hold your breath. As for George, fans will have to wait and hope he elects to re-sign with OKC. The Melo – PG part of the equation: All these factors will play a role in what Presti can and should do with his roster. The worst-case scenario, of course, would be Anthony opting in and George leaving. Based on ‘rumors’ and supposition the theory is even if Melo elects to opt-in the Thunder will find a way to either waive him, trade him or buy him out. Unless Presti feels certain in what two of the three members of the OK3 will do in the next ten days the GM needs to make uninformed decisions. Since the picks come so late it may not matter and the overriding fact is the Thunder will need to add depth in the frontcourt regardless. Clear number one might not even go top three: Moving forward to the draft this evening, there is supposition it will be one for the ages. As of this morning, there are rumors several of the top lottery teams are open to trade down and multiple teams are trying to trade up. While I’m not a GM, in my armchair and fantasy world I fail to understand how Luka Doncic isn’t the top-rated pick on every single board. I recall feeling this strongly about Kristaps Prozingis in his draft class and when I suggested LA should select him over Russell it wasn’t received well. In hindsight that gut instinct was accurate. And, hey I’m definitely open to admitting I’m wrong if this overtly unnatural obsession with Doncic proves to be wrong. But, at the same time, I won’t be shocked if the young European wins Rookie of the Year and is the best player from his class for years to come. Rumor mill running rampant: Other key factors to watch for this evening will revolve around teams with stars who want out (hello Kawhi) and teams who may be looking to part ways with existing talent. The teams at the top of this list are the Grizzlies and Chandler Parsons, the Hawks may look to shop both Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore, the Hornets Kemba Walker and potentially the Cavaliers will look to offload Kevin Love and perhaps others in an effort to keep LeBron James. Specific tiers in this draft class: Certainly, this 2018 NBA Draft class could be dubbed the Big Draft given the number of big men at the top of the class. There are also several guards with few teams who need that particular roster spot filled. Given the way the modern game is played with positionless ball, small lineups, increased pace, and less reliance on paint play It was an inevitability wings and forwards would become the most coveted get. Therefore watch for the teams who look to build their teams with prospects who offer length, the ability to defend multiple positions, possess efficiency from the perimeter, or the potential to improve and have youth on their side. Notably, the top eight picks seem cemented although where they’ll be specifically drafted remains up in the air. After this group, there are another eight to ten prospects that stand out. From that point forward the draft will begin to take on the emphasis of system needs and filling specific spots. Although most GMs will tell you they will select the top talent on the board, once the elite are gone the remaining prospects might fit specific teams better based on style or need. Draft order and teams without picks: At this point, after 60 prospect previews, TI fans are well aware the OKC Thunder doesn’t possess a pick in the first round. Three other teams (six in total) are in the same position including the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Pelicans. In the second round, nine teams won’t participate including the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs. And the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors have no picks in either round.<doc-sep>As a part of honoring 10 years in Oklahoma City, the Thunder spent the 2017-18 commemorating specific portions of the season. Now, in late June, there’s only one major event left before the Thunder turns the page on year 10 – the NBA Draft. Over the first nine seasons in Oklahoma City, the Thunder has officially made 17 draft selections, while also acquiring or sending away selections through trades. Last season, the Thunder had the 21st overall pick and selected guard Terrance Ferguson, who displayed his prodigious athletic gifts and a competitive streak in his rookie year. This season, the Thunder does not have a first round pick, but has two second round selections at #53 and #57. Regardless of where the Thunder picks in the draft, General Manager and Executive Vice President Sam Presti and his staff are hyper vigilant in their scouting and assessment process throughout the year in order to be prepared for the unpredictability of draft night. The Draft has always been a vital component of the Thunder's team-building efforts, and Thursday's event will be no different. Ultimately, the Thunder’s front office aims to make the best decisions possible for the betterment of the team, capitalizing on the yearly opportunity to improve the club with the addition of young talent. 2018 NBA Draft Information Date: Thursday June 21, 2018 Time: 6:00pm CT Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York Broadcast Coverage: ESPN Thunder Selections: #53 (Round 2), #57 (Round 2)<doc-sep>Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Devon Hall in the 2018 NBA draft with the No. 53 overall pick. Hall spent five years at Virginia under Tony Bennett, so he enters the NBA with as strong of a basketball education as a player can receive in college. Bennett is arguably the country's best defensive coach, and Hall was one of his standouts. His players also enter the league with a great awareness of their strengths, and they don't get ahead of themselves. Hall improved every year at Virginia. A few seasons ago, no one would have imagined he'd be an NBA draft pick, but he's made himself into a pro. Quick hitters Size: 6'6" Video Play Button Videos you might like Weight: 206.4 pounds Wingspan: 6'7¾" Reach: 8'6" Pro-player comparison: Joe Harris Offensive strengths Hall did not put up huge numbers this past season—he averaged 11.7 points and 3.1 assists—but Virginia's offense flowed better when he was on the floor. In fact, the Cavaliers scored 1.15 points per possession when Hall was in the game compared to a paltry 0.94 points per possession without him, per hooplens.com. Hall turned himself into an excellent catch-and-shoot shooter, knocking down 57 threes at a 43.2 percent clip as a senior after making only five triples as a freshman. Virginia's offense involves a lot of running shooters off staggered screens, so he made some of those shots on the move, which is almost a lost art these days. Considering Hall was also accurate from the free-throw line—80.7 percent for his career and 89.4 percent as a senior—it's a good bet his jumper translates. There isn't any wasted movement on his shot, and the simplicity of it breeds consistency. Hall also does not have any wasted movement when it comes to attacking off the dribble. He attacks quickly and takes advantage of a misstep by the defense by making straight-line drives. Hall is also a smart passer who makes quick decisions and always makes the simple play. He had a 3.1-to-1 assist-turnover ratio and a 19.6 percent assist rate, per KenPom.com, which is a solid number for a wing. Offensive weaknesses Hall is not a player who should operate out of isolations or in pick-and-rolls. While he can attack a closeout or drive off a ball reversal, he is limited when he tries to shake a defender in position. Athletically, Hall is closer to average than preferred in a wing player. He's strong with the ball at the basket, but because he isn't a great leaper—he had a 31-inch max vertical at the combine—he can struggle to score over length. He made only 56.5 percent of his shots at the rim this past season, per Hoop-Math.com. Defensive outlook Hall does not have the ideal length for a three-and-D specialist, but he comes into the league ready to contribute as a defender. That's a byproduct of playing for Bennett. All of his players are excellent at keeping the ball in front of them and closing out on shooters, which are two of the most important components of defense as an NBA wing. Bennett teaches his guys to close out hard, but they also don't take themselves out of a play. Notice how Hall runs the shooter out of his shot but also remains in position to guard his guy when he tries to shake Hall for another shot. Virginia players also come into the league with an understanding of how to play defense off the ball. That's just as important in the packline defense. A lot of players tend to rest when they're off the ball, and even if they are moving and aware, it's rare to find a young player who also has active hands off the ball. Virginia players are well-schooled when it comes to this, and that discipline can lead to steals: Similar to Hall's offensive game, he's always balanced defensively and never takes a wasted step. That's why it's so difficult to drive by him. This kind of discipline is a great equalizer for a defender who isn't extremely athletic. Hall is going to hold his ground no matter who he's guarding, and his footwork and strength allows him to guard multiple positions, including a switch onto a big guy. Projected role: Second-unit wing There's a place on bench units for a guy like Hall, who is going to always play hard and make the right play. Call it the Matthew Dellavedova or T.J. McConnell effect. Character matters. Intelligence matters. And those traits can overcome some limitations athletically. Hall is going to be able to defend at a high level right away, and he'll move the ball on offense and make quick decisions. He's the type of guy that coaches will quickly fall in love with. His shooting is almost a bonus. And if he can consistently knock down NBA three-pointers, he'll be an easy guy to plug into a lot of different lineups. Stats courtesy of Synergy Sports and Sports Reference. Measurements courtesy of NBA.com.<doc-sep>
The 2018 NBA Draft is officially here. While there is plenty of chatter and trade rumors surrounding the teams picking at the top of the draft, things are relatively quiet for other teams, including the Thunder. There were some reports that surfaced last month that indicated the Thunder were interested in trading up into the first round of the draft, but those rumors have quieted since then. As of now, the Thunder will head into the draft with two second-round picks at No. 53 and No. 57, respectively. Of course, the team could still trade into the first round, but this is where they currently stand. Despite not having a first-round pick, the Thunder still have some options available to them. With the Draft quickly approaching tonight, let’s review those possibilities: The team keeps the two picks This is perhaps the easiest option available to the Thunder. The team has been working out prospects in recent weeks and most have been players projected to be available to them when they make their first selection at No. 53. For instance, the team worked out six players on Monday, including Kansas guard Devonte’ Graham, Georgia forward Yante Maten and Temple forward Obi Enechionyia, among others. The workout with Enechionyia was his second with the Thunder, which could indicate the team will be taking a serious look at him when they are on the board. Various mock drafts have the Thunder taking players like Arizona guard Allonzo Trier, Kansas guard Malik Newman, Cincinnati forward Gary Clark and TCU forward Kenrich Williams, among others. By drafting so late in the second round, it remains to be seen which prospects will be available to the team so it seems to be a safe bet the Thunder will be drafting the best player available at that stage of the night. If the team does keep its two picks, they could opt to stash the two players for a year overseas or in the G League in order to further develop them. This has been a rather common theme in recent memory. Given that the Thunder could be looking at a payroll around $150 million next year if Paul George returns, keeping the two draft picks could be a great way to add cheap talent to the roster next season. It wouldn’t be all that surprising to see the Thunder keep these two draft picks. The team can package the two picks together While it might be tough to predict which way the Thunder go by trading these picks, it is still an option for them. The team could find a way to package those two picks together in order to move up further in the draft, but it remains to be seen how much value those two picks hold to other teams. As we pointed out earlier this month, the Sixers could be a team worth calling to move up in the draft. They had six total draft picks at one point, but are down to five picks after trading the No. 39 pick to the Lakers on Wednesday night. The Sixers currently have 11 guaranteed players on the roster for next season and will not be able to bring all five draft selections onto the roster for next season, especially if the team is positioning itself to chase some of the top free agents like LeBron James, Paul George and others. Aside from the 10th and 26th overall picks, the Sixers also own the 38th, 56th and 60th selections so they could still look to trade one of those picks. In addition to packaging the two picks to try to move up, the Thunder can also trade them for future picks next season or they can also trade the picks for cash, as well. ***** Although the Thunder have two late second-round picks, there is still plenty options available to them tonight. We’ll have to stay tuned tonight to see which way the team will ultimately go. The Draft begins at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.