Thunder Draft Possibility
First of all, guessing the NBA draft is more difficult than the NFL draft. There seems to be less emphasis on drafting within value of the pick. With that said lets have some fun.
Here are a couple of my draft scenario possibilities.
Safest Pick
With the 3rd overall pick, the Thunder take Ricky Rubio or Hasheem Thabeet depending on who is available. Rubio contributes immediately at point guard while Westbrook moves to shooting guard. Thabeet starts immediately at Center grabbing rebounds and blocking shots
Possible scenario: The Thunder draft Rubio then trade him to either L.A. or New York. If you trade to L.A. you obviously try to get Bynum. If you trade to New York, you try to get David Lee. Both would provide a presence in the paint contributing just enough points to complement the trio of Durant, Westbrook and Green. They would also become the best rebounders on the team.
Dream Pick
Obviously the Thunder trade up to get Blake Griffin. That would take a swap of the 1st and 3rd round pick, along with the Thunder’s second 1st round pick and most likely a player. That player should be Earl Watson. He has had frustrations within the Thunder organization but he is a talented player who could replace current point guards and provide assistance as Baron Davis recovers from surgery or replace him if he is traded away.
Far-Fetched but could work pick.
The Thunder need presence in the paint and a shooting guard who can shoot. Sefolosha is a defensive beast who has helped but he is more of a role player not an everyday starter. The thunder also need someone who can be physical and get rebounds in the paint.
So with the 3rd overall pick the Thunder trade down three spots with the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves swap picks to draft rubio and give up the number 15th pick in the second round.
Now with the 6th overall pick, the Thunder select James Harden. He steps in at shooting guard providing the points necessary to compliment the Trio. He is mature beyond his years and can do nothing but help the team.
The Thunder then use their 25th overall pick and their 15th pick in the second round to trade up and get DeJuan Blair. Blair is a little undersized but he is a basketball player with the physicality of a football player. He can muscle and beat up on people down low, he is physical enough to get rebounds and can keep other big men from easy baskets in the paint.
These picks provide great versatility. The starting line-up would be Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Green, and Krstic. Blair would be a backup at power forward. Depending on various scenarios, certain players would fill certain roles. Green can play PF or SF. Durant can play SF or SG. This versatility provide constant rotation of player to allow rest for everyone on the team.
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Interesting take on it.
It all depends on how the Thunder really feel about Westbrook. I don’t think he is a true PG. He would be a great SG but he doesn’t fit the role of a PG as well as I had hoped. However if the team is stuck on him being our PG then we will likely take Harden or Thabeet. Whichever one is available. I just hope we don’t get stuck with Rubio. I don’t see that kid being good.
Very nice scenarios though..