« It’s not just the player’s talent, but his marriage to the franchise. » So spoke Sam Presti, in July 2021, the day after the Draft which allowed the Thunder to select Josh Giddey, in 6th position. Except that the marriage in question almost did not take place.
Selon The Athleticthe franchise had other intentions: to go up to the 3rd “pick” held by the Cavs, by making them several offers in this direction, in the hope of recovering the one who was going to go to Ohio, Evan Mobley.
Also, Shams Charania reports that the USC prospect’s clan would have directly asked the Cavs ahead of the Draft not to select their player. And this in the hope that the California native, who admitted during the pre-selection process that his favorite team was the Thunder, lands in Oklahoma City.
Chet Holmgren to “consolate” himself the following year
So many injunctions to which the Ohio franchise remained insensitive, since it drafted Evan Mobley, while the Pistons recovered Cade Cunningham in first place, and the Rockets signed Jalen Green in second.
Behind these two, Scottie Barnes was heading to the Raptors and Jalen Suggs to the Magic. Finally came the Thunder’s turn which selected the Australian. OKC will have to wait one more year to get their hands on a talented interior, in this case Chet Holmgren, No. 2 in the 2022 Draft.
Since being drafted, Evan Mobley and Josh Giddey have each managed to establish themselves in the major five of their respective teams. Even if the second is likely to come off the bench again, next night, for a Game 6 elimination on the Mavs floor.
2024-05-18 16:02:44
#Thunder #targeted #Evan #Mobley #Draft #Basket #USA
