Aleksej Pokusevski Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Thunder Roster
The Oklahoma City Thunder will land Serbian forward Aleksej Pokusevski with the No. 17 pick of the 2020 NBA draft.
The Minnesota Timberwolves held the No. 17 spot, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that they agreed to send the selection to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for point guard Ricky Rubio and the No. 25 and No. 28 choices in this year's draft.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Aleksej Pokusevski
Position: PF/C
Height: 7'0"
Weight: 201
Pro Comparison: Bol Bol
Scouting Report: Pokusevski could be the wild card who eventually makes the 2020 draft class look stronger than its current perception. He's the youngest prospect in the class with a special skill set for a 7-footer that includes advanced shooting versatility, open-floor handles, flashy passing instincts and an active shot-blocking motor.
Here is a look at the team's updated roster if the latest addition comes over from Europe.
Al Horford, C: $27.3M (2023)
Steven Adams, C: $25M (2021)
Kelly Oubre Jr., SF: $15M (2021)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG: $3.8M (2022)
Darius Bazley, SF: $2.3M (2023)
Mike Muscala, PF: $2.2M (2021)
Ty Jerome, PG: $2.2M (2023)
Isaiah Roby, PF: $1.6M (2023)
Jalen Lecque, PG: $1.4M (2023)
Luguentz Dort, SG: $1.3M (2023)
Hamidou Diallo, SG: $1.1M (2021)
Aleksej Pokusevski, PF/C: Rookie scale contract (2024)
Abdel Nader, SF: Team option
Andre Roberson, SG: UFA
Danilo Gallinari, SF: UFA
Deonte Burton, SF: UFA
Hamidou Diallo, SG: Team option
Kevin Hervey, SF: RFA
Mike Muscala, PF: Player option
Nerlens Noel, C: UFA
Devon Hall, SG: UFA
Pokusevski spent the past few years with Greek club Olympiacos but saw limited action with the senior team. He played 11 games with the developmental team in HEBA A2, Greece's second division, averaging 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
He also showcased his defensive skills with 1.8 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.
These numbers prove what he can do with an impressive 7'0" frame with a 7'3" wingspan.
The forward can be a difference-maker defensively as he uses his length to protect the rim and disrupt passing lanes. Offensively, he has shown he can score in a number of ways both inside and out.
"He's a developmental project, sure. But the skill set combined with the frame and fluidity has him breathing rarefied air," Kyle Boone of CBSSports.com wrote.
Mike Schmitz of ESPN provided a full look at the player's skill set:
Drafting Pokusevski is a significant risk considering his limited experience against top competition. He played well at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship, but he still has a lot to prove on the court.
This could force the Thunder to bring him along slowly, although they clearly see a lot of upside in the 18-year-old prospect.
