There haven’t been many reputable undertaking picks within the Thunder’s younger historical past.
Aleksej Pokusevski was probably essentially the most formidable. Darius Bazley and Terrance Ferguson have been technically valued past their drafted ability ranges, however not fairly worthy of reputable undertaking standing.
French wing Ousmane Dieng, taken No. 11 general within the 2022 NBA Draft, is the Thunder’s largest and most intriguing gamble but.
In years previous, OKC hasn’t been within the lottery sufficient to take swings. But in 2022, with two choices and the ammo to select up a 3rd, Presti capitalized on the second, grabbing Dieng with three future first rounders.
At 6-foot-10, 205-pounds, Dieng has indescribable upside.
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Second general decide Chet Holmgren is typically described as having guard abilities. In actuality, Holmgren is a prolonged ahead who has superior abilities relative to different large males.
Dieng nevertheless, is a reputable guard packed inside a 6-foot-10 body. Dieng was a talented 6-foot-3 guard when Sam Presti first found and watched him. An enormous development spurt later, he ended up a lottery choice with out essentially having the fast stats to again it up.
With size to be a satisfactory defender and scorer, however superior abilities as a ball-handling playmaker, Dieng has untapped star potential additional down the highway. At simply 19-years-old, Dieng will probably battle in early roles and totally different conditions.
It’s onerous to see how he pans out with out the ball in his arms, however ought to he, the Thunder’s ceiling can be immediately elevated by Dieng. With Josh Giddey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, a dependable star in Dieng may push the Thunder additional than they’ve seen.
For now, Dieng will probably see spot minutes on an inconsistent Thunder bench unit, or be relegated to the G-League to command video games. Neither of which ought to hinder his improvement.
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