There's no rest in the NBA. The NBA Finals are just a few days away from starting, but that doesn't mean there isn't a whole lot going on in the world of basketball. As soon as a champion is crowned, gears will quickly switch to the NBA Draft, followed shortly after by free agency.
There's a lot of overlap: The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks (who beat the Oklahoma City Thunder) will battle it out for the Larry O'Brien Trophy, while the other 28 teams are focused on offseason strategy, practicing and scouting for the NBA Draft.
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The Thunder are in a unique position compared to most other teams. They have a young team that can win right now. They're 57-25 and are the top seed in the Western Conference. Plus, general manager Sam Presti has the 12th pick in the NBA Draft and plenty of cap space.
CBS Sports recently updated their 2024 NBA mock draft, and the Thunder selected a familiar face in this scenario: CBS Sports' David Cobb projected Colorado's Cody Williams to join Oklahoma City.
“Williams' offensive output was excellent for a freshman, shooting 58.8 percent from two-point range and 41.5 percent from three-point range,” Cobb wrote. His defense was unspectacular, but he has the athleticism and talent necessary to develop into a capable two-way wing. This would be an especially meaningful move for Williams, as his older brother, Jalen Williams, is a blossoming star in Oklahoma City.”
Williams seems like the right choice because the Thunder have a lot of versatility on their roster — as Cobb alluded to, Williams is the younger brother of Thunder star Jalen Collins — and would also fit the mold of the team and thrive in a system that allows him to experiment with his game.
This is a great pick for Jalen and for the organization. Williams can play in a system where he fits and develops and can make an immediate impact. His 6-foot-8 frame and long wingspan will give him an advantage defensively.
It's no surprise that mock drafts consistently project Williams to go to Oklahoma City.
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