THN Mock Draft: With the 24th pick, the Thunder select…
Tyler Honeycutt, small forward, UCLA.
(Important note: This mock is done based off of prediction, not preference. Keep that in mind.)
Other available options: Nikola Mirotic, Justin Harper, Davis Bertans, Andrew Goudelock, Chandler Parsons, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Singler.
Why Honeycutt?: I don’t necessarily see this pick as one where Honeycutt steps right in and fills a role as a backup small forward. As many have said, Thabo can and likely will be exactly that next season. KD needs a good backup because there is always the chance of injury (shhhh), but in normal circumstances, his backup will play only 10 minutes a game or so.
And Thabo definitely works as that player, along with Daequan Cook. But if we’ve learned anything about Sam Presti, it’s that he’s not necessarily just thinking about next year. Or two seasons from now. He’s thinking about the entire long term in general and Thabo might not be that player in two seasons. With development, maybe Honeycutt becomes Thabo 2.0, a long, lean perimeter defender but with a bit more offensive upside.
That’s why I think it makes sense to go small forward. Not just for the sole reason of a short term, immediate natural backup for Durant, but as someone that can fill a role two or three seasons from now. Which is another good reason to go with an international stash — like Mirotic — because with his buyout, he could come over in two or three years and step in and fill that role right away.
And as I mentioned in my 10 players thing, the Thunder aren’t afraid to use the D-League as a Eurostash type move either. Yes, it hogs a valuable roster spot, but patience is a virtue in Oklahoma City. Cole Aldrich might be looked at as a bust already by some, but the organization is fine taking its time moving him along, whether it be in Tulsa or OKC. Same could be said for a player like Honeycutt.
I think the Thunder would prefer to take a player ready to potentially impact the roster next season though, rather than stash and wait for a couple seasons. Which is why I lean — just barely — towards Honeycutt over Mirotic.
COMPLETE TRUEHOOP NETWORK MOCK
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving, PG, Duke
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
Derrick Williams, F, Arizona
3. Utah Jazz
Brandon Knight, PG, Kentucky
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania
5. Toronto Raptors
Kemba Walker, PG, Connecticut
6. Washington Wizards
Enes Kanter, C, Kentucky
7. Sacramento Kings
Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State
8. Detroit Pistons
Bismack Biyombo, PF, Congo
9. Charlotte Bobcats
Marcus Morris, F, Kansas
10. Milwaukee Bucks
Alec Burks, G/F, Colorado
11. Golden State Warriors
Jimmer Fredette, PG, BYU
12. Utah Jazz
Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State
13. Phoenix Suns
Tristan Thompson, PF, Texas
14. Houston Rockets
Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic
15. Indiana Pacers
Markieff Morris, F, Kansas
16. Philadelphia 76ers
Nikola Vucevic, PF, USC
17. New York Knicks
Klay Thompson, SF, Georgia
18. Washington Wizards
Jordan Hamilton, SF, Texas
19. Charlotte Bobcats
Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead State
20. Minnesota Timberwolves
Marshon Brooks, SG, Providence
21. Portland Trail Blazers
Tobias Harris, PF, Tennessee
22. Denver Nuggets
Donatas Montejunas, C, Lithuania
23. Houston Rockets
Charles Jenkins, G, Hofstra
24. Oklahoma City Thunder
Tyler Honeycutt, SF, UCLA
25. Boston Celtics
JuJuan Johnson, PF, Purdue
26. Dallas Mavericks
Justin Harper, PF, Richmond
27. New Jersey Nets
Nolan Smith, PG, Duke
28. Chicago Bulls
Darius Morris, PG, Michigan
29. San Antonio Spurs
Nikola Mirotic, SF, Serbia
30. Chicago Bulls
Iman Shumpert, G, Georgia Tech