Heading into the 2022 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder were armed with three picks and a chance to really shift their rebuild into high gear. They did just that.
With the second pick in the draft, Oklahoma City selected Gonzaga big Chet Holmgren, widely regarded as one of the best players in the draft. Then, during the wildness of draft night, the Thunder executed a trade with the New York Knicks, netting them an extra lottery pick, which was used to select French forward Ousmane Dieng.
Oklahoma City then immediately was on the clock, using their third lottery selection to nab Santa Clara wing Jalen Williams. Finally, in a move sure to confuse fans, the Thunder utilized their final draft pick in the second round to add Arkansas forward Jaylin Williams.
With a war chest of draft picks at his disposal, Thunder general manager Sam Presti wanted as many bites at the apple in this draft as he could get. Presti prioritized length, athleticism and versatility with his draft choices.
But did he make the right ones? How did the Thunder really do in this year's draft? That's what we'll determine here when we whip out the grade book.
That said, here are our grades for every pick made by the Thunder in the NBA Draft.
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Thunder 2022 NBA Draft Grades
Round 1, Pick 2- F/C Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga)
Grade: A
Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren was mocked to the Thunder by many pundits for weeks, so it wasn't particularly surprising to hear his name called in this spot. Holmgren, a seven-footer with the ability to stretch the floor on one end and block shots on the other, is one of the most intriguing prospects in the NBA Draft.
As a freshman with the Bulldogs, the Minneapolis native averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, an astonishing 3.7 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers per game on 39 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
As many scouting reports have outlined, the sky legitimately is the limit for the newest member of the Thunder as a pro. Holmgren has a rare blend of elite defensive skills, shooting touch, ball-handling, passing and finishing skills at the rim.
He'll immediately slot in as the starting center for the Thunder. But that's where the only question marks come into play? Can Holmgren, who only weighs 195 pounds, withstand the beating he'll take from opposing bigs inside.
The NBA is no longer the land of lumbering giants it was back in the '90s and early 2000s, though it would still behoove Holmgren to pack on at least a little muscle.
Holmgren is a unicorn who has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone. Health willing, he'll reach that potential.
Round 1, Pick 11- F Ousmane Dieng (NZ Breakers)
Grade: B-
This pick was a bit of a risk taken by Presti and the Thunder. Ousmane Dieng, a 6-10 forward with handles and solid passing skills, is just 19 years old.
Dieng who hails from France, played for the New Zealand Breakers of the National Basketball League. The talented wing flashed ability as a shooter, ball handler in the pick-and-roll and defender, though he was also a bit inconsistent, especially with his jump shot.
One of the knocks on Dieng is that he is a ways away from contributing consistently at the NBA level. That suits the Thunder just fine. Not only are they a ways away from competing, but the depth chart stacked with wings allows Dieng to round into his own at his own pace.
Oklahoma City doesn't need Dieng to be a contributor from day one. That's the beauty of this selection for the Thunder.
Round 1, Pick 12- F Jalen Williams (Santa Clara)
Grade: B+
A three-year starter at Santa Clara, Jalen Williams enters the NBA with the experience necessary to contribute from day one. Williams improved every year in college, though his 2021 campaign was his finest yet.
The 6-7, 190-pound wing averaged 18 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 39.6 percent from beyond the arc. His incredible 7-foot-2 wingspan caught the attention of every scout at the NBA Combine- then he went out and showed what he can do.
Williams stood out for his slashes to the rim, perimeter shooting and his effectiveness in help-side defense. While he could go through some rough patches as a shooter given his length, Williams figures to step in right away and be a valuable rotational piece.
Round 2, Pick 34- F Jaylin Williams (Arkansas)
Grade: C+
Arkansas' Jaylin Williams adds to the Thunder's frontcourt depth as a high-energy guy. Williams, a 6-10 forward, rebounded the ball well for the Razorbacks while drawing more than 50 charges. While he'll need to develop a three-point shot, there will be a place for a pass-first, defensive-minded rebounding forward in the Thunder's rotation.
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