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Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft: Big lottery changes, Miami Heat grab wing

Jack Simone|
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 03: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves hugs LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets after the game at Target Center on March 3, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 135-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 03: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves hugs LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets after the game at Target Center on March 3, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 135-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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Miami Heat
Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft: 17. Onyeka Okongwu, Oklahoma City Thunder

Original pick: Aleksej Pokusevski

Thunder 2020 starting lineup

  • Theo Maledon
  • Lu Dort
  • Aleksej Pokusevski
  • Darius Bazley
  • Moses Brown

New Thunder 2020 starting lineup

  • Ty Jerome
  • Lu Dort
  • Kenrich Williams
  • Darius Bazley
  • Onyeka Okongwu

Injuries hampered Okyeka Okongwu at the start of his rookie season, but he ended up turning things around. He didn’t play a huge role with the Hawks, but when he did play he made an impact.

Okongwu even managed to play well during Atlanta’s deep playoff run. Again, he didn’t get many minutes, but he made the most of them when he got them.

In this re-draft, the Thunder take Okongwu since Pokusevski is already off the board. Considering they only signed Moses Brown to a standard contract halfway through the season, Okongwu would have likely won the starting job.

If given the opportunity to play more minutes, he could have easily been one of the most productive rookies last season. With Clint Capela ahead of him in Atlanta, though, he never saw that chance.

Thunder fans may not love this selection considering his lack of production, but that talent is definitely still there. Regardless, Okongwu falls from six to 17 in this re-draft.

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