Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft — 17. Devin Vassell, Oklahoma City Thunder
This is a pretty steep fall for Devin Vassell compared to my pre-draft evaluation, but that’s more a result of other players rising than Vassell falling. I still consider myself a fan, and it’s hard to imagine a better place for him to explore the extremities of his unique skill set than OKC, where he would get no shortage of reps.
Vassell was used mostly as a 3-and-D wing last season, averaging only 17.0 minutes per game due to San Antonio’s depth on the perimeter. He has been unleashed in a more robust role in Summer League, with interesting flashes of passing and shot-making that align more with his pre-draft profile.
Defense is Vassell’s strong suit right now. At 6-foot-6, his length and awareness make him an excellent team defender. If he can bump up his 3-point percentage (34.7) and become a more consistent offensive threat, then OKC has a steal this late in the first round. Vassell fits a very important mold in the modern NBA.