Three college prospects that Oklahoma City Thunder is targeting in the 2024 NBA Draft./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69740838/1076019188.0.jpg)
The Thunder hold two first-round picks in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft, acquired from the Houston Rockets (top four protected) and the Utah Jazz (top ten protected). Given their current standings and trajectory, the Thunder are likely to make selections in the mid to late lottery, although the outcome could vary due to the lottery process.
Considering the potential draft position, which prospects in that range could make significant contributions to Oklahoma City in both the short and long term?
One promising candidate for the Thunder to target in the 2024 NBA Draft is Dalton Knecht. Last spring, Knecht made a smooth transition from Northern Colorado to Tennessee, demonstrating his adaptability. He currently boasts an impressive scoring average of 20 points per game for Tennessee, a team that ranks among the nation’s top five.
Knecht’s standout skill lies in his outside shooting prowess, maintaining a 40 percent three-point shooting accuracy on over five attempts per game. Despite often navigating through challenging catch-and-shoot scenarios off screens, he excels in this area. However, Knecht isn’t merely a one-dimensional shooter; he also possesses a reliable pull-up jumper and shows promise in creating his own scoring opportunities. Moreover, his efficiency as a pick-and-roll ball handler, averaging one point per possession at a respectable volume, places him in the 89th percentile according to Synergy data.
With the Thunder leading the NBA in drives per game, Knecht’s sharpshooting abilities could significantly open up the floor for the team. Additionally, his capability to generate offense independently offers a valuable asset in salvaging broken possessions, a quality particularly beneficial for role players.
In summary, Knecht emerges as an ideal offensive fit for the Thunder, poised to make an immediate impact upon joining the team.
