Five players left in March Madness worth OKC Thunder targeting in NBA Draft

The NCAA Tournament is one of the biggest events in sports.

Millions of people will watch the 64-team bracket unfold, and that surely includes those within the OKC Thunder's front office.

OKC is projected to have the No. 12 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft via Houston. It could also get a second first-rounder if its top-10 protected pick from Utah conveys, although the Jazz is currently slotted at the No. 9 spot.

Here are five prospects playing in the second round who the Thunder should target in the NBA Draft:

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Kyle Filipowski, Duke

Filipowski's fit with OKC is an enticing.

The 7-foot sophomore is averaging 17.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and he also provides some floor spacing. Filipowski is shooting 35% from deep on an average of 3.2 attempts.

OKC already has Chet Holmgren, a 7-1 forward who can knock it down from distance. If the Thunder selects Filipowski, it could roll out a massive lineup capable of running a five-out offense.

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Donovan Clingan, UConn

If OKC wants a more traditional big, Clingan is a good option.

The 7-foot-2 center has a strong presence around the rim. He's averaging 12.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game as a sophomore.

OKC got a short-term solution for its lack of center depth on Feb. 10 when it signed Bismack Biyombo. But Clingan has the potential to be a long-term option at the five and a daunting frontcourt partner for Holmgren.

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Dalton Knecht, Tennessee

It's not common for older players to get selected in the lottery.

Knecht is a fifth-year guard who'll be 23 on draft night, and he's older than five players on OKC's roster. But the Thunder already has plenty of youth, so it wouldn't be a surprise if it went with someone who can contribute right away instead.

That could be Knecht, a 6-6 veteran who's arguably the best player in the nation. He's averaging 21.2 points per game, and his ability to score from everywhere on the floor overshadows his age.

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Tristan Da Silva, Colorado

Da Silva is another older player who could contribute right away for OKC.

The 6-9 senior is averaging 15.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, and he's a prototypical glue guy. Da Silva is a 38.2% 3-point shooter, a versatile defender and a high-IQ player.

OKC might even be able to trade outside of the lottery and still land Da Silva. The veteran forward wouldn't be a flashy pick, but he'd be a solid addition.

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Cody Williams, Colorado

OKC would likely have to trade into the top five to land Williams, but it has more than enough draft capital to make that happen.

Williams is a 6-8 wing with the tools to be an excellent, versatile defender at the next level. And while the 19-year-old freshman is mostly limited on offense to driving and finishing, he won't be asked to do much more on an OKC team with plenty of shot creators.

Williams is also the younger brother of Jalen Williams, who OKC selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 draft. And after seeing how that worked out, it would make sense for the Thunder to consider trading up for Cody.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder: NCAA Tournament players the Thunder could target in draft