The Oklahoma City Thunder already boasts one of the NBA’s most dynamic young cores and is just one win away from a Championship, but their front office isn’t settling. With stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams leading the charge, the team is still looking to strengthen its championship foundation, starting with the center position.
While Isaiah Hartenstein has been solid this past season, averaging 11.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, the Thunder could still look to add depth and select their potential big man of the future with the No. 15 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
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Oklahoma City Thunder Predicted To Land Their Big Man of the Future in 2025 NBA Draft
In PFSN’s latest NBA mock draft by Ian Cummings, the Thunder are predicted to select French center Joan Beringer at No. 15. Billed as a raw player with defensive versatility, impressive at-rim finishing, and guard-like quickness, Cummings views the 18-year-old as an ideal long-term fit for the team’s frontcourt.
“One of the only nitpicks you can make about the championship-hopeful Oklahoma City Thunder is that their center position is unspectacular,” Cummings wrote. “Even Isaiah Hartenstein is a solid player for the role he plays, but the Thunder don’t have a big man who can both impose his will and spread the floor on offense. Joan Beringer’s addition is a bid at changing that.”
Before their trip to the NBA Finals this season, the Thunder were an excellent team in the 2023-24 season as well. However, a clear rebounding weakness spelled their demise, and they bowed out in the second round to the Dallas Mavericks.
As an insurance policy, general manager Sam Presti added Hartenstein to the mix. But on a very expensive three-year contract worth $87 million, Hartenstein might not be around for long with Oklahoma City. As a result, Beringer might be a smart potential long-term replacement for the journeyman.
Beringer is perhaps the rawest prospect in the whole draft, as the 6’11” French center just started playing basketball three years ago after becoming too large to play soccer.
And yet, he’s already made the senior team for Košarkarski klub Cedevita Olimpija, a team in the top basketball league in Slovenia. If he actualizes his potential, Beringer should turn into a versatile defender who can corral ball-handlers in space while finishing lobs on the offensive end. That could give him a Clint Capela-type trajectory, particularly given that his size should enable him to gobble up plenty of rebounds.
French teenager Joan Beringer is one of the more fascinating prospects in the 2025 Draft. Late-bloomer who grew up playing ⚽️ and has only played organized 🏀 for 3 years. Uber-athletic, rangy, 7’4½” wingspan. Doesn’t turn 19 until November. https://t.co/EWPsgiEdVD pic.twitter.com/XoUMmou46z
— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) June 16, 2025
Beringer will be 18 until November and comes with many of the concerns that ultra-raw bigs have. He badly needs to add weight, and he has very little feel for ball-handling or shooting. However, at this point, picking a draft-and-stash center is a luxury that the extremely deep Thunder can afford.
The Frenchman has played in 64 outings with Cedevita Olimpija in the ABA League, EuroCup, Slovenian SKL, and Slovenian Spar Cup this season. He is averaging 5.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, shooting 64.4% in just 18.8 minutes a night.
