Thunder had interview with Killian Hayes, implying willingness to trade up

The Oklahoma City Thunder interviewed Killian Hayes, who is expected to be a top-10 pick. Are they considering trading up?

For those looking for a concrete piece of evidence the Oklahoma City Thunder are interested in trading up in the 2020 NBA draft, here it is:

The Thunder did a Zoom interview with Killian Hayes, the French guard told Daily Thunder reporter Rylan Stiles during a press conference on Thursday.

“I had a zoom interview with them. I think fitting in with them would be a great thing,” Hayes said.

The guard is going to be a lottery pick and could go in the top five. Most analysts have him as one of the three best point guards in the draft, alongside LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Haliburton.

Oklahoma City would have to trade up to get him.

Even the Phoenix Suns’ pick at No. 10, which has been linked to the Thunder through Chris Paul rumors, may not be high enough to nab the guard.

Hayes also told Stiles he worked out for the Pistons and some other Eastern Conference teams, which could (and very well may) mean any team from the No. 3 through No. 9 spot.

Hayes, a 19-year-old who played for Ulm in France, is an inventive passer and shows shooting potential in his step-back game, though his catch-and-shoot numbers aren’t where they need to be. Listed at 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan, he and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would make up a long backcourt.

His range in the draft is intriguing. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor has him as the No. 1 player on his big board and No. 7 in his mock draft. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has him at No. 10 on his mock draft and ESPN’s Jonathan Givony had him at No. 12. I put him at No. 7 on the Thunder Big Board.

Interestingly enough, the Thunder seem to have put more consideration into Hayes than Haliburton, a guard from Iowa State who is also most often projected to go in the four to 10 range.

There’s a good chance this is just due diligence. Oklahoma City was intrigued by Hayes and wanted to get to know him. In addition to any Paul deal, the Thunder have a number of picks over the next half-decade that can be used to move up, along with the No. 25 pick this year.

But it’s notable to see evidence that the organization has not ruled out making a splash by jumping way, way up in the 2020 draft.

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