21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tyler Lydon, Syracuse Orange
Ultimate Upside Comparison: Tom Gugliotta
Safe Upside Comparison: Danilo Gallinari
Position: Forward
Age: 21 (4/9/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.5″, 215 pounds, 7’0″
2016-17 Slash Line: .473/.395/.836
2016-17 Season Averages: 36.1 MPG, 13.2 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.3 ORPG, 2.1 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.4 3PM
The Oklahoma City Thunder need perimeter talent to complement triple-double machine Russell Westbrook. More specifically: the Thunder need perimeter players who can enable the team to win without Westbrook recording a triple-double.
If the Thunder are looking to select the best possible fit at No. 21 overall, then there would be no better option than Syracuse Orange star Tyler Lydon.
Lydon’s upside comparison begins with Tom Gugliotta, who was a well-rounded and productive forward in the 1990s. He spaced the floor well with his outside shot, rebounded at a respectable level, created for his teammates, and made plays on defense.
Lydon is of a similar mold, and his ability to play either forward spot would enable Billy Donovan to diversify his currently predictable rotations.
A contemporary comparison for Lydon is that of small forward Danilo Gallinari. Like Gallinari, Lydon’s primary appeal in the NBA will be his combination of size and shooting range, but he also has the ability to take his man off the bounce.
If the Thunder decide to take a calculated risk and select Lydon, then he’d be able to build the foundation of his game by hitting catch-and-shoot 3s and attacking closeouts—two of his primary offensive strengths.