Olynyk, Dieng, Zeller among OKC’s draft workouts
We know about Steven Adams working out for the Thunder. But who else have they brought in?
To know, you have to do a bit of your own sleuthing. Because unlike virtually every other team, the Thunder don’t announce draft workouts. It’s up to the player to tweet or Facebook or send a carrier pigeon out about it.
Here’s who we know so far:
- Gorgui Dieng tweeted June 10, “Heading to Oklahoma City!” I suppose he might’ve wanted to visit the American Banjo Museum, but I’m assuming he came to workout with the Thunder. Dieng is a 6-11, 230-pound center from Louisville known for his shot blocking and athleticism. He’s got nice mid-range touch, but terrible footwork and feel on the block. And he’s 23 years old.
- Per Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York, French prospect Mouhammadou Jaiteh worked out for OKC recently. He’s a 6-11, 250 raw big man that’s 19 years old and would almost certainly be a project. He’s currently projected to go early in the second round, so he could be a candidate at No. 29.
- Marquette guard Vander Blue tweeted, “Landed safe on OKC! Thanks for the safe travel lord your amazing!” Blue is a 6-5 shooting guard that’s projected to likely go in the second round. Blue is a high energy defender with quality slashing ability. And also has a super cool name.
- Detroit guard Ray McCallum posted an Instagram picture indicating he worked out with the Thunder. McCallum is 6-2 point guard projected to go in the second round.
- Gonzaga center Kelly Olynyk worked out with the Thunder this week, apparently with Duke center Mason Plumlee. Olynyk is a player that has popped up in a number of mock drafts attached to the Thunder. He’s a seven-footer, known for his offensive ability. Olynyk’s weaknesses are mostly considered his rebounding and defense. Plumlee on the other hand is a 6-10 center, and more of a defensive, rebounding player. His issue is that he seems to have a low ceiling and might be a pretty one-dimensional player.
- Per Joe Freeman of The Oregonian, Cody Zeller worked out with the Thunder recently. A seven-footer, he’s projected to go anywhere from No. 5 overall to maybe No. 14. Zeller is a strong offensive player and a high energy rebounder. But it’s hard to tell if he’s going to be Tyler Hansbrough or David Lee.
- Maryland seven-footer is recovering from an injury and isn’t able to workout, but did meet with the Thunder recently. Len is an imposing big man and maybe the player with the most physical upside. Len is a nice defender, a quality rebounder and can run the floor and finish. His drawbacks are that he’s coming off an injury and needs a lot of work on the offensive end. But I think it’s pretty clear: If he slips to No. 12, the Thunder are taking him. Or at least they should.
- Tim Hardaway Jr. from Michigan recently tweeted, “Beautiful day out here in OKC I must say!!!” He’s an athletic 6-6 shooting guard that has impressive finishing ability, but is extremely raw offensively, specifically from mid-range and outside. He struggles a little creating his own shot and was really inconsistent at times. He’s projected to be a late first-rounder so he could be an option at No. 29.
- A few other names that have dripped out: Janis Timma, a 6-7 forward from Latvia, Adonis Thomas, a 6-7 forward from Memphis, Amath M’baye from Oklahoma, and Robert Covington, a 6-7 forward from Tennessee State.
For all we know, there are more. If you see any, tweet me or email me (dailythunder@gmail.com). It’s hard to track it all.
