The 2024-2025 NBA season is winding down, the Thunder, hope to have a long playoff run. However, looking ahead at the 2025 NBA Draft isn’t too early, especially with March Madness beginning. March Madness is a place for top prospects to showcase why they are top prospects and for lower prospects to try and move up draft boards. In addition, March Madness is the perfect place for the Thunder and other teams to look at potential draft targets they are considering drafting.
The Thunder could have up to three first-round picks and one second-round pick, depending on how the lottery odds fall. They own the Philadelphia 76ers’ top six protected first-round pick, if that pick falls outside the top six, the Thunder get it. In addition, they have the Miami Heat’s lottery-protected pick, and if the Heat makes the playoffs, the Thunder get that pick. Finally, the Thunder have the right to swap with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets. OKC could also trade up in the lottery if they fall in love with a prospect given their slew of first-round picks.
Before we dive into potential Thunder draft targets in March Madness, here are some honorable mentions: Kon Knueppel, Danny Wolf, Asa Newell, Will Riley, and Drake Powell.
5 Potential Thunder Draft Targets in March Madness
Khaman Maluach, Duke
Khaman Maluach hasn’t been asked to do a lot for Duke since they also have the best player in college basketball. However, he has shown flashes of high upside, as he is averaging 8.3 points per game with 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. He is the perfect rim-running, rim-protecting big that teams love to have. However, what separates him from others in this draft class is the potential to add a three-point shot to become a complete player. Furthermore, he will also have to add some muscle.
He is the best talent available in reach for where the Thunder could end up drafting. The Thunder are going to have to make a ton of hard decisions coming up in the next couple of years. One of those decisions will be what to do with Isaiah Hartenstein when his contract is up. The Thunder drafting Maluach is future-proofing them in case the Thunder have to let Hartenstein leave. This also allows Maluach to have two years to develop and hone in on his skills, as he is more of a raw prospect.
Derik Queen, Maryland
Derik Queen has been the driving force behind Maryland’s impressive season this year. He is averaging 16.3 points with 9.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. Unlike Maluach, who uses athleticism to his advantage, Queen uses brute force. Queen has an exceptional post-game and has shown the ability to knock down some mid-range shots with the hope of extending that to the three-point range. However, one of his weaknesses is defending in space if he is switched onto a guard, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem with the Thunder and their elite defense.
If they are unable to snag Maluach, Queen would be another fantastic option for the Thunder. This would once again be a move to future-proof themselves if Hartenstein leaves in free agency or they can’t pay him. In addition, Queen’s game resembles more of Hartenstein’s game than Maluach’s. Queen has shown the ability to be a high post hub and playmaker while being a great finisher inside. It just depends on which type of center the Thunder want to target.
Liam McNeeley, UConn
Liam McNeeley has been inconsistent for a disappointing UConn team. However, he has shown flashes of what he can be. McNeeley is averaging 14.5 points with 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He is the type of player that can do it all. He can score from all three levels on the court, he can also rebound and has some playmaking ability. In addition, he has also been a decent defender, and the potential of a three and D wing is there. He just has to show more consistency.
If the Thunder don’t want to look at a center in the draft, McNeeley is the best wing prospect around their draft range. He is 6’7″ and can play multiple positions on the court, which is the type of player the Thunder love to draft. He will also add another shooter the Thunder can use and more size without adding a center. Finally, he would be a perfect Thunder draft target if they miss on the centers.
Jase Richardson, Michigan State
Ever since the Spartans implemented Jase Richardson into the starting linuep his draft stock has risen drastically. He was a big reason why the Spartans were the regular season Big Ten champions. He is averaging 12.0 points with 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists, Richardson is a three-level scorer and has a very patient game where you can’t speed him up. In addition, he is also one of the better perimeter defenders in this draft class. If he can lead Michigan State to a deep run in March Madness, his draft stock will continue to climb and could be a steal in the draft.
Richardson resembles Cason Wallace on the Thunder and would be a perfect fit. However, the Thunder already have a bunch of guards on their team, so it is unlikely they will go guard again in this draft. The only reason they might is if they make a big trade in the offseason to get over the hump if they fail to win it this year.
Johni Broome, Auburn
Finally, the SEC Player of the Year winner, Johni Broome, has been exceptional for the Tigers all year. He is averaging 18.9 points per game with 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game. He is a versatile big, being able to play the four or five, and is one of the more complete players in the draft class. Broome can defend, pass, and score. The only thing left for him is to become a more reliable shooter from three. The only reason he is not projected to go higher is his age as he is already 22 years old and will be a 23-year-old rookie.
If the Thunder miss out on a Maluach or a Queen, Broome is the perfect option. In addition, he is older and more of a finished product, so the Thunder can use him to help them win right away instead of waiting for someone to develop. Broome can be a perfect four next to Chet Holmgren who you can play regardless of matchup instead of the Thunder rolling out double bigs. He has shown the ability to defend in space, and he can be another high-post hub like Hartenstein. The Thunder would just hope he can become a more reliable three-point shooter.
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