At Thursday’s NBA Draft, the Thunder selected prep-to-pro forward Darius Bazley with the No. 23 overall selection. And with that pick continued the Thunder’s mix of development for the future and playing for the present.
Win now, or develop later? The Thunder believes it can do both, though how Bazley will help the 2019-20 team remains to be seen.
Bazley (6-foot-9, 209 pounds), who just turned 19 on June 12, fits the mold of athleticism and a still-developing offensive game the Thunder has had a penchant for targeting in the draft.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti couldn't formally talk about drafting Bazely, since the trade had not officially been completed.