The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has a new choice for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In his most recent mock draft, the Thunder took Washington center Isaiah Stewart.
This is a change from Vecenie’s previous two mock drafts in which Oklahoma City went with Stewart’s college teammate, forward Jaden McDaniels.
This mock draft, released Oct. 13, changed gears. McDaniels went two spots early to the Utah Jazz, so the Thunder selected a player who they would look to as an option to become their future starting center.
Vecenie writes:
“For a team with a ton of draft picks forthcoming and a potential opening at center in the next couple of years with Steven Adams’ contract coming due, Stewart fits. He fits from a production standpoint. He fits from a youth standpoint for a team that tends to prefer drafting young guys. And he fits from a motor and work ethic standpoint for a team that has tended to put a high value on character in the draft.”
As a freshman for Washington, Stewart averaged 17 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
He didn’t shoot from deep in college, but as a high school big, he made 42% of his looks from deep, giving hope that he still has that skills and his lack of shooting was a symptom of the Huskies’ system and doesn’t reflect his ability.
Vecenie said the same, writing that “evaluators are also big believers in his ability to shoot the basketball. Folks who went up to Washington’s practices this season said that he was knocking shots down from distance with ease.”
With that said, Vecenie thinks Stewart’s future is more of a traditional 5.
If drafted, he would be in line to take the ropes from Steven Adams once the longtime Thunder center’s contract expires following this season.
“Ultimately though, Stewart will be a rim running, rim protecting 5 who rebounds it well and provides a tough interior presence.”
