NBA Draft: The Ringer Projects Traditional Big to OKC Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Zach Edey in the Latest Mock Draft from The Ringer.

Mar 24, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) dribbles against the / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder are in line to not only contend in the NBA postseason but enjoy a lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. With the NCAA Tournament in full swing, the mock draft season begins to heat up. At The Ringer, Kevin O'Connor released his latest Mock Draft that saw the OKC Thunder selecting Zach Edey 12th overall.

"I am endlessly fascinated by the possibility of putting Edey next to a rim protector like Chet Holmgren. Edey could provide the beef inside, and Holmgren would provide versatility. The combination looks incredible on paper, and I’d imagine Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault would do cartwheels if he could add another layer to his dynamic system with a center as big as Edey," O'Connor said when explaining the pick.

The Purdue big man has spent time around OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Team Canada at the FIBA World Cup this summer. While many have concerns about Edey's NBA potential, Gilgeous-Alexander has confidence Edey will learn to play in the NBA.

“He’ll figure his way out. He’s big, he’s smart. He soaks things up quick. He’s a humble kid and wants to be really good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That’s what I got from him this summer — besides, obviously, the eye-popping stats and skills and stuff like that. I think he’ll figure it out. As far as his archetype, the last two MVPs have been big guys, so he’ll be just fine."

The Oklahoma City Thunder have the luxury of a lottery pick to bolster this contending roster. There are many routes Sam Presti can go with this selection, but Edey doesn't seem like the choice. His inability to switch defensively and easily be exploited in the pick-and-roll, unable to get out and run in transition and lack of floor spacing make him an awful fit for OKC's style.

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