OKC’s Every Reported Pre-Draft Workout

The NBA Draft is tomorrow night (6PM CT on ESPN) and the Thunder hold the 21st pick in the first round. Because the organization is tighter than Fort Knox in its draft preparations, there is typically a lack of noise in regard to prospects coming in for workouts. Sam Presti likes to play all personnel decisions close to the chest, and the draft is no different. However, you can piece together a working list of prospects using the power of the Internet.

The list below consists of prospects that have been reported to work out for the Thunder ahead of tomorrow’s draft. That doesn’t mean we didn’t miss anyone, or that any of these guys end up in Oklahoma City — there’s no way to know that. But what we have is an interesting list of young men that might shed some light on the type of player Presti & Co. are searching for.

Click each name for their Draft Express profile. Draft projections are from the latest edition of the Draft Express mock draft.

Frank Mason:

Workout Reported by: Jake Fischer, Sports Illustrated

Draft Express mock projection: 47th overall to Indiana

Frank Mason has reportedly worked out for the Thunder twice ahead of the draft, and seems like an interesting second round pick should Sam Presti purchase one. The 5’11” point guard spent four years at Kansas under Bill Self, and is the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, Sporting News Player of the Year, USA Today Player of the Year,

Oscar Robertson Award winner, Naismith Award winner,

NABC Player of the Year and First Team All-American.

Mason is clearly a decorated player at the collegiate level, and his per-game averages of 20.9 PPG, 5.2 APG and 4.2 RPG in 2016-17 look great on paper. His size (5’11”) is the reason he’s projected as a second round pick, but he’s an intriguing option that could come relatively cheap should the Thunder go a different direction positionally in the first round.

Jawun Evans: PG / Oklahoma State

Workout Reported by: Brett Dawson, Daily Oklahoman

Draft Express mock projection: 41st overall to Atlanta

Thunder fans are quite familiar with Jawun Evans, as he spent the last two seasons in Stillwater playing at Oklahoma State. The 6’1″ point guard won Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2015-16, and went on to earn First Team All-Conference and Third Team All-American honors after a sophomore campaign that saw him put up 19 PPG, 6.5 APG & 3.4 RPG for the Cowboys.

Evans is projected as a late first/early second round pick, so it may be a bit of a stretch selecting him at 21 — even with the Thunder’s desperate need for a backup point guard. Nonetheless, should Presti decide to take him, OKC will be receiving a talented young man that should be capable of running the second unit immediately.

Jamel Artis:

Workout reported by: Michael Scotto, Basketball Insiders

Draft Express mock projection: Undrafted

Jamel Artis isn’t a household name, but the 6’7″ small forward could fill a position of need for the Thunder. He played four years at Pittsburgh, and averaged 18.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG & 3.3 APG last season en route to making Third Team All-Conference in the ACC.

Draft Express projects Artis to go undrafted, so he could potentially end up as someone the Thunder looks at after the draft is complete.

Ismael Bako:

Workout reported by: David Pick

Draft Express mock projection: Undrafted

Ismael Bako is a relatively unknown prospect out of Belgium, and the 6’10” center is currently projected to go undrafted by Draft Express. He averaged 8 PPG & 4.1 RPG in just over 20 minutes a night for Leuven International last season, but did show some promising upside at the 2017 Adidas Eurocamp. Could develop into a serviceable rim protector in the NBA, but will likely be a project if he ends up on a roster.

Josh Hart:

Workout reported by: Adam Zagoria

Draft Express mock projection: 40th overall to New Orleans

Josh Hart is another four-year senior to appear on this list, as the 6’6″ shooting guard completed his eligibility and won a national title at Villanova. He averaged 18.7 PPG and 6.4 RPG for the Wildcats last season, shooting 40% from downtown in the process.

Draft Express currently has Hart slotted at the 40th pick, so Presti would likely need to purchase an early second-rounder to make anything work. With Victor Oladipo and Alex Abrines entrenched at his position, it’s doubtful that Hart is a priority for the Thunder.

PJ Dozier:

Workout reported by: Fred Katz, Norman Transcript

Draft Express mock projection: 50th overall to Philadelphia

PJ Dozier is an interesting project out of South Carolina, as the 6’6″ shooting guard has the physical tools necessary to excel at the NBA level. He averaged 13.9 PPG and 4.9 RPG for the Gamecocks last season, but shot just 28.5% from downtown — not exactly what the Thunder is looking for.

As Dozier is slated to go 50th overall to the 76ers, he should be around for a while if Presti decides to take a shot. But due to his struggles from distance and the depth at his position, it’s unlikely we’ll see him end up in Oklahoma City.

Tony Bradley:

Workout reported by: Fred Katz, Norman Transcript

Draft Express mock projection: 32nd overall to Phoenix

Tony Bradley is a raw big man out of North Carolina, as the freshman center averaged 6.9 PPG & 5.1 RPG last season for the national champion Tar Heels. He appeared in just 14.5 minutes per game, but was able to establish himself as a valuable rebounder as the season progressed.

Bradley is currently projected to go 32nd overall to the Suns, and it seems safe to assume he won’t end up with the Thunder. Due to a gluttony of established players at his position, there’s simply no need for his services in Oklahoma City — unless, of course, we see Enes Kanter get traded.

Justin Patton:

Workout reported by: Fred Katz, Norman Transcript

Draft Express mock projection: 17th overall to Milwaukee

Justin Patton is an extremely talented big man out of Creighton, and seems primed to go mid first-round — possibly even in the lottery. The 7′ freshman averaged 12.9 PPG & 6.1 RPG for the Blue Jays last season, and showed flashes of a game that should translate well in the NBA.

With Patton projected to go 17th overall to the Bucks, it’s not very likely that he end up as a realistic option for the Thunder. But, like Tony Bradley, he may be someone to keep an eye on if the Thunder were to deal any of its stable of centers in order to move up in the draft.

Jake Wiley: PF / Eastern Washington

Workout reported by: Fred Katz, Norman Transcript

Draft Express mock projection: Undrafted

Jake Wiley isn’t a name showing up on a lot of draft boards, but the 6’7″ power forward out of Eastern Washington is someone to take note of. He averaged 21.1 PPG, 9.2 RPG & 2.8 BPG for the Eagles last season, and even showed a decent shooting touch from the field and free throw line in an admittedly tiny sample size.

Wiley is not currently projected to be drafted, due in large part to his small stature and general lack of NBA-ready skills, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him end up on a summer league or G-League team.

Caleb Swanigan:

Workout reported by: Andrew Pogar

Draft Express mock projection: 31st overall to Charlotte

Caleb Swanigan is an interesting prospect for the Thunder, as the 6’9″ power forward from Purdue touts a skill set that translates well into the NBA. He averaged 18.5 PPG and 12.5 RPG for the Boilermakers last season, but really stands out when you factor in his ability to stretch the floor. The 247 lb. big man shot nearly 45% from downtown, and earned First Team All-American honors in 2016-17.

Swanigan is projected to go 31st overall to the Hornets, but is someone to keep an eye on if he slides further into the second round. Although he’s limited athletically, and by no means a defensive stalwart, the Thunder need depth at his position and could use an impact player behind Domas Sabonis should Taj Gibson sign elsewhere as a free agent.

James Blackmon:

Workout reported by: Alex Kennedy, HoopsHype

Draft Express mock projection: Undrafted

James Blackmon could be a potential steal for a team late in the draft or even afterward, as the 6’3″ shooting guard showed promising flashes during his time at Indiana. He averaged 17 PPG for the Hoosiers last season, shooting 42.3% from downtown and nearly 84% from the free throw line.

Blackmon is not currently projected to be drafted, likely because of his age (22), his size and a history of serious knee injuries. He appeared in only 13 games during the 2015-16 season due to a torn ACL, but did bounce back to perform nicely last season. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t expect to see him end up with the Thunder on draft night.

Ivan Rabb:

Workout reported by: Mark Medina, Orange County Register

Draft Express mock projection: 30th overall to Utah

Ivan Rabb is a potential steal at the back end of the first round/early second round, as the 6’10” power forward averaged 14 PPG & 10.5 RPG for the Golden Bears last season. He was projected to be a lottery pick in last year’s draft, but chose to return to school to further his development. He didn’t come along as far as he hoped, but still possesses a skill set that should prove valuable to an NBA team.

Rabb is projected to go 30th overall, so he’s another unlikely target for the Thunder at 21. But like others on this list, if he were to slide for any reason, Presti may be able to score an impact player with a purchased second rounder.

Whether the Thunder trades up, trades back or selects at 21, there are a number of players above that could fill a void on a team in serious need of help. Sam Presti has historically excelled at the draft, and this season’s might be the most important in franchise history since relocating to Oklahoma City.

(*If more names arise, they will be added to the list accordingly)