Thunder NBA Draft Prospects: 16-15

The NBA Draft is less than two weeks away and the Thunder own the No. 14 pick thanks to an injury-riddled nightmare of a season. Every day until Draft day, we'll be counting down the top 18 prospects that the Thunder should target. We'll analyze two players a day until Draft night on June 25.

It is important to note that only realistic players will be included in this list. Therefore, you won't be reading about Jahlil Okafor or Justise Winslow or Kristaps Porzingis because there's no way those guys slip down to 14.

To read about prospects 18-17, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Rashad Vaughn, click the link below. Now that you know the rules, let's get started.

RELATED STORY: Thunder NBA Draft Prospects: 18-17

16. R.J. Hunter – SG – Georgia State

Strengths

Hunter became a household name after his heroic buzzer-beating 3-pointer to beat Baylor in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. His heave gave the 14th-seeded Panthers their greatest win in school history and infamously sent his father, GSU coach Ron Hunter, falling off of his stool.

This was the first time that most of America got to see this kid play, because let's face it, not many folks schedule their evenings around Sun Belt Conference basketball. But for those who have followed Hunter for a while, this performance wasn't that surprising. At 6-fot-6 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Hunter has ideal NBA shooting guard size. Despite lower-than-ideal percentages, Hunter possesses terrific shooting mechanics, and he plays with a high level of awareness.

Weaknesses

Hunter isn't the world's greatest athlete, nor is he the strongest. He'll need to beef up his 180-pound frame to compete on both ends at the NBA level. In addition, despite his shooting stroke, he'll need to pull up his numbers. He shot just 39 percent from the floor and 30 percent from downtown at GSU last season, mostly coming against mid-major competition.

NBA player comparison

Brad Beal, O.J. Mayo, Marco Belinelli

How he'd fit the Thunder

Hunter has “solid role player” written all over him. High IQ guys who can shoot typically find their way in the league. Hunter wouldn't crack OKC's rotation next season unless there's another plague of injuries, but there's starter potential in him. However, pick No. 14 might be a little early to take him. Most reputable mock drafts have him in the 20s, so if the Thunder wants his services, they might consider trading down.

15. Delon Wright – PG – Utah

Strengths

Wright is a smart, experienced winner with above-average size for an NBA point guard. He's 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan, which helps make up for the fact that he's not the quickest guy on the floor. Wright averaged 15 points on just nine shots per game last season as he led Utah to the Sweet 16. He was the captain of that ship, also dishing out five assists, grabbing five rebounds and collecting two steals per game.

Weaknesses

The way scouting works in today's NBA, a four-year college player like Wright is considered a senior citizen. Teams are obsessed with upside and potential, often times passing up NBA-ready guys like Wright for 19-year old freakish athletes with dreams of superstardom. Some will be turned off by the 23-year-old Wright. Will Sam Presti be one of them?

Wright's one weakness on the court was his 3-point shooting. He shot just 30 percent from deep last season and will need to improve that quickly. As NBA teams shift more and more toward the analytics, you'll see more teams playing like the Warriors and Spurs. Shoot layups or 3s, but limit your number of mid-range jumpers. In other words, if you're coming into the league, you better be able to space the floor.

NBA player comparison

Shaun Livingston, Michael Carter-Williams

How he'd fit the Thunder

If OKC decides to keep a third point guard on the active roster, Wright could make the team from day one and learn from Russell Westbrook and D.J. Augustin. Augustin's contract is up after next year, so after one more season, Wright could take over as the Thunder's primary backup.