The 2024 NBA draft is a little over a month away. One of the first signs of its imminent arrival is the NBA draft combine, which recently wrapped up as prospects recorded their measurements and tried to improve their stock.
This was the first year every prospect invited to the 2024 combine was required to participate in tests, drills and measurements, per a new agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) union.
Players were required to conduct team interviews, media circuits, player development sessions and other assessments, per ESPN. They were able to decline 5-on-5 scrimmages.
The Oklahoma City Thunder enters the 2024 NBA draft with the No. 12 pick via the Houston Rockets. They acquired the top-four protected pick in the 2019 trade of Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul. It’s a spoil of riches for OKC as it’s fresh off a Round 2 exit after capturing the first seed.
Here’s a look at the latest projections from mock drafts for the Thunder at No. 12 pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
No. 12 pick (via Rockets): Tidjane Salaun, France
FIBA Basketball
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report, May 21 projection: Tidjane Salaun, France (6-foot-9 forward, 212 pounds, 18 years old)
“Tidjane Salaun has been streaky, but he’s in the midst of one of his best stretches of the season at an important time in the LNB Pro A playoffs… Salaun, who has now made an impressive 74 threes as a 6’9″, 18-year-old, continues to show NBA teams his range. And though his handle and self-creation remain limited, he’s still finding ways to earn easy baskets from off the ball, tapping into his size, athleticism and motor.”NBA Draft Room, May 16 projection: Cody Williams, Colorado (6-foot-8 forward, 190 pounds, 19 years old)
“Williams had an up and down year but his flashes of upside are special. I have him rated a lot higher than this but in this mock, he falls to the Thunder to play with his older brother. He’d be a steal this late in the lottery.”
No. 12 pick (via Rockets): Dalton Knecht, Tennessee
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Draft Digest, Sports Illustrated, May 15 projection: Dalton Knecht, Tennessee (6-foot-6 forward, 213 pounds, 23 years old)
“He’s one of the best off-ball players in the draft. He can spot up, come off screens, is athletic enough to play-finish.”
