Nine days and counting to the NBA draft
This is the most anticipated NBA draft in Oklahoma history, for two reasons: 1. For the first time, a permanent Oklahoma team will take part in the draft; and 2. For the first time, an Oklahoman will be the No. 1 pick.
We have been following all the draft talk extensively, and I’m about draft-talked out. Maybe some other franchises leaks; maybe some other franchises have multiple people making the decisions. But with Oklahoma City, Sam Presti is a one-man supreme court, and he is not loose-lipped.
Which means everything is speculative. Does the Thunder covet Hasheem Thabeet? Or Ricky Rubio? Or James Hardin? Who knows? How much will the Thunder offer the Clippers for Blake Griffin? How far down will Presti be willing to trade? We’re all guessing.
But it’s kind of fun to try to make the puzzle fit together. If Memphis does this, the Thunder does that. If the Thunder does that, Sacramento does this. And so on.
The truth is, no one knows, because the real decision-making will occur even after the draft begins. Trades are not likely before the draft. They will be spurred on by the deadline of draft night and the knowledge, finally, of what the upper-selecting teams do.
So my best guess:
1. Clippers take Griffin and rebuff trade offers.
2. Memphis takes Thabeet.
3. OKC takes Rubio and keeps him. The offer to trade Rubio to Sacramento will be great — the Kings would love him — but the presence of Rubio upgrades OKC’s overall talent. Russell Westbrook becomes a combo guard, a guy who plays 18 minutes at point and 18 points off the ball, which in no way is an indictment of Westbrook’s ability or a limit on what kind of player he can be. Even if Westbrook becomes a sixth man, he can be a star. Manu Ginobili comes to mind.
Anyway, if Presti believes Rubio is a difference-maker, you can’t pass on him. You can’t go drafting for need when the whole danged roster needs upgraded. If Rubio has star potential, you have to draft him and make the pieces fit.
That’s my best guess.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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It would be amazing for OKC if they were able to strike a deal with the Clips for Griffin. Can you imagine? I just don’t see that happening, though. I think they’ll go with Rubio.