Which shooters could OKC Thunder target in NBA Draft? Gradey Dick, Taylor Hendricks among options
After ranking as a bottom-two 3-point shooting team in back-to-back years, the Thunder caught fire, at least by its standards, by ranking 17th in 3-point shooting in 2022-23.
The Thunder shot 35.6% from 3-point range, its best mark since shooting 36.1% from three in 2013-14.
To give you an idea how much the league has changed, that 2013-14 team attempted 22.4 3-pointers per game — about league average for the time. This last Thunder team attempted 34.1 3-pointers per game, which ranked 12th. Back in 2013-14, no team attempted north of 30 threes per game.
Isaiah Joe, a 41% 3-point shooter last season, was a gem of a find in free agency, but every team, including the Thunder, could use another 3-point shooter.
In this second edition of our draft preview series, we’ll take a look at the premium shooters the Thunder might consider with the No. 12 pick, or with one of its two second-round picks, in the June 22 NBA Draft.
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Taylor Hendricks
Position: Forward
Height/weight: 6-foot-8, 214 pounds
College: Central Florida
Age: 19
Draft range: Top-10
Hendricks isn’t just a shooter. He’s an elite 3-and-D prospect with the size and athleticism to be an impact player on both ends of the floor.
When the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native committed to UCF as a four-star prospect, Hendricks wasn’t thought of as a one-and-done. But on his way to averaging 15.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game as a freshman, Hendricks became a no-doubt first-round prospect.
Hendricks, whose defense should be NBA-ready from Day 1, could be a complementary fit next to Chet Holmgren in the Thunder’s frontcourt (expect a lot of blocked shots). And Hendricks plays with the defensive tenacity Thunder coach Mark Daigneault requires.
And while he lacks the premier playmaking chops of “Thundery Guys,” Hendricks was a high-volume, 39% 3-point shooter who would have a symbiotic relationship with Thunder guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey. Hendricks giving them space to drive, and the guards dishing to Hendricks for open looks on the perimeter.
Hendricks would be hard to pass up at No. 12, especially from a pure fit perspective.
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Gradey Dick
Position: Wing
Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 204 pounds
College: Kansas
Age: 19
Draft range: Top-10
Here’s my favorite stat from Dick’s freshman season at Kansas: He shot 57% on transition threes (44 attempts).
You think he’d be dangerous on a Giddey-led fastbreak?
Dick averaged 14.1 points per game while shooting 44% overall, including 40% from 3-point range on 5.7 attempts per game. He validated his shooting chops at the free throw line, where he shot 85%.
Dick seems ideal for the Thunder’s free-flowing offense. He’s a better playmaker than Hendricks, but Hendricks is the much, much better defender.
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Jordan Hawkins
Position: Guard
Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 186 pounds
College: Connecticut
Age: 21
Draft range: Mid-to-late first round
Hawkins is an artist from behind the arc. He can create his own look off the dribble and splash spot-up threes, but he’s especially dangerous when he’s on the move — whether it’s finding a sliver of space off a screen or relocating around the arc in his own improvisational manner.
Hawkins is a proven winner, having just led UConn to another national championship.
As a sophomore, he shot 39% from 3-point range on a whopping 7.6 attempts per game.
Hawkins’ skinny frame, specialized skill set and older age might limit his upside, but he looks ready to contribute right away.
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Jett Howard
Position: Wing
Height/weight: 6-foot-8, 215 pounds
College: Michigan
Age: 19
Draft range: Mid-to-late first round
Howard was a one-and-done at Michigan, where he played for his dad, former NBA big man Juwan Howard.
Howard averaged 14.2 points per game, doing most of his scoring from behind the arc. He shot 37% from 3-point range on 7.3 attempts per game. Those are especially encouraging numbers for a player with Howard’s size.
Howard might be a stretch at No. 12, but you never know.
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Marcus Sasser
Position: Guard
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 195 pounds
College: Houston
Age: 22
Draft range: Second round
Sasser deserves a shoutout here as a potential second-round pick.
Yes, he’s very short by NBA standards and very old by rookie standards, but he was a steadying hand and an All-American at Houston. And he’s a shooter.
Sasser shot 37% from 3-point range on 7.0 attempts per game over his college career. Sure, the percentage could be higher, but like the other players on this list, the number of attempts is impressive, and Sasser’s degree of difficulty was high.
Sasser is Houston’s all-time leading 3-point shooter with 276 career makes.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder could target Taylor Hendricks, Gradey Dick in NBA Draft
