2.0 update: I still like Leaf here in OKC. Draft Express thinks the same in their latest mock. It makes sense honestly. There’s a lot of talent already off the board and with not much available in terms of guards with value around No. 21, Leaf can help the frustration of that big Enes Kanter contract not seem so bad.
1.0 update: Just what the Oklahoma City Thunder need: another power forward that can score, but doesn’t defend well. But seriously, UCLA’s T.J. Leaf feels like a pick that could work for OKC. Former Bull Taj Gibson is a free agent this summer and Enes Kanter will be one after this upcoming season, so the Thunder are pretty thin at the 4. That opens the door for taking someone like Leaf, who may not be a strong defender, but he’s a guy that can hurt teams offensively with his ability to score inside and outside with his shooting. Stretch-fours are popular in the NBA these days, which helps Leaf’s stock. The Thunder might be thinking this at No. 21, too.
RELATED: Our Timberwolves-based friends at Dunking With Wolves gave a good look at Leaf’s game
2.0 update: I considered moving Isaiah Hartenstein up to Portland at No. 20 and Kurucs down here to No. 22. But, with Ike Anigbogu as the new face behind Jusuf Nurkic, the Blazers may look to address a different need with their second pick five selections later. Hartenstein, like noted in the first mock, can help take some of the weight of Brook Lopez’s load.
1.0 update: The Brooklyn Nets have almost rid themselves of quite possibly the worst trade in NBA history when they brought in a run-down Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett all those years ago. The Nets have not one, but two picks in the first round of June’s draft. As much as he’ll try to as the best Net since Jason Kidd, Brook Lopez can’t play forever. Lopez’s lower body (specifically, his foot issues) are going to wear down and the Nets need a center to take his place. A project like Germany’s Isaiah Hartenstein could do the trick with one of their first-rounders this year. Don’t think Kristaps Porzingis because he’s over 7-foot-tall and can shoot a little bit. Hartenstein works the paint, using his fluidity to cut and run to the basket as a huge target.