The Oklahoma City Thunder lost in the second round of the playoffs this year to the Dallas Mavericks. Despite the exit, it was still a very successful season for this young Thunder team. Now, their focus has shifted to the NBA Draft, where they will look to improve this roster.
The main thing the Thunder need to do is to get some more size. They were one of the worst rebounding teams in the league this year, and they got beat up down low in the playoffs. Everyone wants them to draft a player like Donovan Clingan or Zach Edey, or sign someone like Isaiah Hartenstein, or Nic Claxton. However, there is a certain big man in this draft who will fit their team better: DaRon Holmes II from Dayton.
Why DaRon Holmes II is the Perfect Prospect for the Thunder
Offense
Holmes brings a unique skill set on the offensive end, he is a great pick-and-roll threat and a player to leave in the dunker spot with the athleticism that he possesses. He has great hands, so it will be easy for the Thunder guards to be able to find him down low. Besides that, he isn’t an elite passer but a good passer, especially out of the post. That’s where you can trust him to make the right reads and not turn the ball over.
What separates Holmes from players like Clingan and Edey is he is just not your old-fashioned big man who just lives in the paint. He has the versatility to play inside and outside, as he shot 38% from three last year at Dayton. To go along with that shooting, he also has shown flashes of being able to cut back door from the perimeter if the defender is playing too close to him. DaRon Holmes II possesses all the traits the Thunder look for in a prospect. The ability to shoot, rebound, pass, and cut fit the system they are trying to build. Every player on the Thunder’s roster has one thing in common: versatility. That is exactly what DaRon Holmes II can do.
Defense
Besides being versatile on offense, the Thunder also look for versatility on defense. Holmes brings that as well. He is 6’10” with great athleticism and is able to guard multiple positions. You probably don’t want him on an island too much covering quicker guards. However, he has shown flashes of being able to stay with them. Holmes isn’t going to be an elite shot blocker like Chet Holmgren, but he can be a good rim protector, given his average of 2.1 blocks per game. He possesses all the natural skills you need to be able to guard 1-5.
With that versatility, he can make a top-five defense last year even better. A starting five of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, DaRon Holmes II, and Chet Holmgren will pose many challenges for opposing offenses to deal with because of the versatility they will have and switchability they possess.
Ideal Fit on the Thunder
Unlike at Dayton, where he had to be the guy, Holmes will not be asked to do everything with the Thunder. He would be the perfect four to play alongside Chet. He upgrades the Thunder’s weakness for rebounding without hurting their play style with floor spacing. Adding DaRon Holmes II it gives the Thunder a nice three-big rotation that all possess a unique skill set. Holmes gives them the nice blend of fixing their big men issues without disrupting the flow of their offense and play style. All he needs to do for the Thunder is score 8-12 points, 8-10 rebounds, 2-4 assists, and 1-2 blocks a game while shooting around 38% from three, and he can do that.
The Thunder are in a position where they don’t need to take a risk on a high-upside guy. Instead, they can draft a player like Holmes who can improve their roster and be a high-contributing role player without having the upside other prospects have. It will be very interesting to see who the Thunder draft with the 12th pick, as this draft and the offseason could be the difference of whether or not the Thunder can have a longer window of success.
