Thunder Draft Prospects: 8-7

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 18-9, click the links below. Now that you know the rules, let's get started.

Thunder Draft Prospects: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Rashad Vaughn

Thunder Draft Prospects: R.J. Hunter, Delon Wright

Thunder Draft Prospects: Trey Lyles, Myles Turner

Thunder Draft Prospects: Kevon Looney, Sam Dekker

Thunder Draft Prospects: Montrezl Harrell, Tyus Jones

8. Kelly Oubre Jr. – SF – Kansas

Strengths

Oubre is one of a handful of boom-or-bust guys in this lottery field. If you watch him play right now, it's clear that he's physically superior to most of his opponents. He can move more fluidly, jump higher and use his 7-foot-2 wingspan to reach loose balls and rebounds. At just 19 years old, Oubre has good jump-shot mechanics (36 percent from deep last season) and is an above-average rebounder (five rebounds in just 21 minutes per game). He has the body of an NBA starter.

Weaknesses

It's hard to see how one of the top recruits in the country can average just nine points and less than one assist per game while playing in the Big 12, perhaps the nation's smallest Power-5 league in terms of rim protectors. Oubre's issue is that as of now, he has no stand-out skill that he can use to gain an advantage. He's not a great ball-handler and only a decent shooter. He's a below-average passer and sometimes looks confused on the court. Oubre might end up being a very solid NBA player, but it won't be soon. He's got a lot to learn.

NBA player comparison

Wilson Chandler, Wesley Johnson, Brandon Rush

How he'd fit the Thunder

As previously mentioned, Oubre has the makeup of an NBA starter. He shows flashes of brilliance but is not nearly consistent enough to make an instant impact. If the Thunder takes him, expect him to start his career with the Blue.

7. Jerian Grant – PG – Notre Dame

Strengths

One of the best pure scorers in the draft. Grant averaged 17 points on 48 percent shooting last season and still found time to dish out seven assists per night. Teamwork made the dream work for the Irish last season, as support players like Steve Vasturia, Pat Connaughton and Zach Auguste elevated their games to borderline elite levels. But make no mistake, it was Grant who directed the orchestra. He's a 6-foot-4 playmaker who is NBA-ready right this minute.

Weaknesses

Grant will need to improve his 3-point shooting to stay on the court at the next level. He shot just 32 percent from deep during his senior season at Notre Dame, which isn't ideal considering he's already 22 years old. Grant will also need to tighten up defensively; something that could come naturally with a reduced offensive workload.

NBA player comparison

Reggie Jackson, Jordan Clarkson

How he'd fit the Thunder

Grant, unlike most players in this countdown, is ready right now. The Thunder has a loaded and deep roster, but if they end up with Grant, it'll be tough to keep him in the D-League. An NBA-ready guy like Grant might spell the end of either Jeremy Lamb or Perry Jones.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for players 6-5.