OKC still has Phoenix's unprotected pick
At the end of the draft, Oklahoma City still owned Phoenix’s unprotected first-round pick next season.
With news that Shaquille O’Neal has been dealt to play with Clevleand and LeBron James, and the Suns might also trade Amare Stoudemire, that pick is looking more and more valuable. If Phoenix winds up rebuilding the Suns should end up giving OKC a lottery pick.
The irony to the unprotected Phoenix pick is there were rumors early in the week that Sam Presti might give Phoenix back its 2010 pick to select Ohio State center B.J. Mullens. Presti still has the pick and Mullens.
Asked late Thursday night if Phoenix’s unprotected pick was ever on the table in trade talks, Presti gave the obligatory “everything is on the table” answer. In other words, teams asked about the pick but in the end Presti felt it wasn’t worth using in this draft.
Still, the fact the rumor was out there was an indication Presti was high on Mullens’ long-term potential. His quotes at the press conference, that he was surprised Mullens was still there at No. 24, is further proof Mullens was on their radar like the rumor suggested.
Mullens probably plays most of next season in the D League. But several times during Thursday’s press conference Presti commented how rare it is to find athletic 7-foot centers. Thunder fans will have to be patient. Mullens might not contribute much for at least one season, maybe two.
If Mullens blossoms just about the time Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and James Harden are starting to hit their stride in two or three seasons that’s when the Thunder will be a viable playoff threat capable of earning a decent seed.
Turns out there was some truth to the rumor but in the end, Presti kept the pick and still got his man.
Westbrook Backs Away From Rubio Comments
Three hours before the start of Thursday’s NBA Draft, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook backed away from blunt statements he made in a magazine regarding the team’s possible addition of Ricky Rubio.
Westbrook, sporting a new Mohawk hairstyle, appeared on ESPN’s Jim Rome is Burning and claimed he doesn’t remember telling ESPN The Magazine in response to the idea of the Thunder drafting the 18-year-old Spanish point guard, “You trippin’”
“I don’t recall saying that,” Westbrook said. “I don’t remember saying that at all.”
In the newest issue of the magazine, Westbrook was quoted as saying he would draft Arizona’s State shooting guard James Harden with the third overall pick and Ohio State center B.J. Mullens with the 25th selection.
On Thursday, Westbrook said a potential pairing of he and Rubio could work.
“It wouldn’t be a bad situation for us,” Westbrook said. “But I would just leave that up to Oklahoma City and hopefully they make the right decision.
When asked if the pairing could work, Westbrook said, “Whatever’s good for the team, I’m going to try my best to contribute to the team in anyway I can.”
Westbrook did, however, reiterate statements he made time and time again throughout the season about being a natural point guard and wanting to remain at the position rather than move to shooting guard.
“I feel like I’m a true (point guard),” Westbrook said. “I’ve been playing point guard all my life. And I’ve been trying to get better at learning different things, especially in the NBA point guard is a tough position.”
Westbrook campaigned for Harden in the magazine by saying, “He can handle, shoot and he’s athletic. And he was in a good system at Arizona State.” His take on Mullens: “Mullens is a good rebounder and a big, strong presence inside. The way we’re playing, we need help inside with rebounding and defense. That’s the key for us.”
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My Top Seven Draft Options
A little outdated now given what we know has developed over the last week. But in this video with sports editor Mike Sherman, I offer my top seven draft options for the Thunder at pick No. 3. We recorded the video last week, but even though the Thunder’s draft board has likely fluctuated since then I still think these are the best players for the Thunder in order of worst to best.
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Sam Presti Talks NBA Draft
Just got off a teleconference with Sam Presti. The Thunder’s general manager addressed his team’s needs going into tomorrow night’s NBA Draft, why the organization hired a Spanish law firm, what they could possibly do with the 25th selection and the newest rumor that has the Thunder trading up to get the 14th overall pick from Phoenix.
Presti was asked about what he learned from his meeting with Ricky Rubio last week and whether he is more comfortable with the situation after examining his contract, but he called the situation an “internal matter.” Presti was also asked about Russell Westbrook’s comments in ESPN The Magazine, but because he was unaware of the context of the question he felt it was inappropriate to comment on Westbrook’s comments. Presti did reiterate that Westbrook is a team-first guy, a competitor and a winner and has always been that way.
With that, I give you a transcript of your general manager’s thoughts on Thursday night’s draft.
Q: Can you talk about your areas of need are heading into Thursday? What are the areas you’ll be looking to address as you head into tomorrow?
A: We’re always looking for ways to improve the team, and the draft is another opportunity for us to take a step forward as an organization. Hopefully add a player or players to the team that we feel like have a chance to grow with us and continue to grow with the team that we have in place. I wouldn’t say that we’re going in looking to fulfill every need that we have as a ball club in one night. I don’t think that would be realistic. But we’re going to look to try to get a little bit better on Thursday night and ultimately see if we can add another piece to the puzzle.
Q: Can you say in any specific nature in terms of you guys needing more interior defense or more shooters, things that you may be looking for in these players that you will draft?
A: As a ball club that didn’t make the playoffs last year and obviously didn’t have the kind of success that we’d like to have from a win-loss standpoint, we’ve got a lot of needs. We’re no different than a lot of teams in the NBA. We’d love to be able to continue to add shooting and continue to improve our defense and continue to play more efficient basketball. That’s important to us. Like I said, we’re not going to address everything in one night. And one thing that I think is important for us organizationally, and maybe beyond the draft on Thursday, is the continued development and improvement from our players on our current roster. As we know we’ve got a younger team. And with younger teams, summertime is an important time for development. And Scott and his group have made a very consistent and conscious effort to hold a real sense of accountability for individual development and ultimately team development. So we’re looking forward to that being an important part to our summer and our overall improvement.
Q: Did you guys hire a Spanish law firm, and if so, what for?
A: I believe that the report was confirmed from the team. And secondly we want to be as thorough as we possibly can as we prepare for the draft in all aspects. It’s not specific to one piece of information that was reported.
Latest Chad Ford comments on Thunder
ESPN’s Chad Ford is as connected as anyone on the NBA.
Ford held a chat Wednesday afternoon. Ford said he expects Minnesota to keep the No. 5 and 6 picks and not trade with Oklahoma City. He predicts the Thunder will take Ricky Rubio. He also had some interesting comments on Sam Presti and the Thunder.
“Sam Presti is like Steve Jobs at Apple,” Ford wrote. “He runs a Fort Knox like secret operation there. Of all the teams in the league (the Spurs are also like this) it’s pretty tough to get credible info out of there. Last year EVERYONE had the Thunder drafting Brook Lopez the day before the draft and they drafted Russell Westbrook. This year everyone likes them drafting James Harden. I’m sticking with Rubio. But I’ve got to admit it’s a gut thing, not a sourced thing.”
Concerning swapping picks with Phoenix for next year’s unprotected 2010 pick, Ford wrote: “I heard the Thunder likes B.J. Mullens. But again it’s the Thunder. It’s probably Jonas Jerbko.
(Editor’s note: I think Ford was being sarcastic but who knows since that would be way too high for Jerbko who you probably could get at No. 25).
On the Knicks getting Rubio: “What they can do in July is offer David Lee in a sign-and-trade to the Thunder (if they draft Rubio). That might be enough to convince the Thunder to let him go. “
Live Chat at 1 p.m.
Let’s talk NBA Draft.
Join me for a live chat on NewsOK.com at 1 p.m.
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Latest Minnesota rumor
The latest rumor out of Minnesota, according to a source that follows the Timberwolves, is they might want to trade the No. 5 and 18 picks to Oklahoma City for the No. 3 pick. The latest twist is Minnesota’s target is Tyreke Evans, not Ricky Rubio or Hasheem Thabeet.
Sacramento, which picks No. 4, is believed to have Evans at the top of its board. Minnesota might feel compelled to move up to take Evans but doesn’t want to give up the No. 5 and No. 6 picks to Memphis to get Evans since that would be a high price, especially since they also have interest in Rubio and Thabeet.
If Oklahoma City GM Sam Presti were to trade down to No. 5, would Sacramento take Rubio at No. 4? The Kings probably would have no choice. They also might be willing to trade the pick to the Knicks or another team, although those teams don’t have extra draft picks.
If the Thunder does trade down and has the No. 5 pick — and Rubio and Thabeet are both off the board — the question would then become does Presti prefer James Harden or Stephen Curry.
If Rubio were still available at No. 5, what would Presti do, draft and keep Rubio or trade down a second time?
–MB
More draft rumors, three top 18 picks?
One theory floating around is Minnesota, loaded with four first-round picks, might be more apt to trade with Oklahoma City for the No. 3 pick than to trade with Memphis to move up to No. 2.
It makes sense, especially since most believe the Grizzlies won’t take Ricky Rubio for a couple of reasons, one being Rubio doesn’t want to play there.
Minnesota could give the Thunder the No. 5 and No. 18 picks in exchange for OKC’s No. 3. Both teams might still get what they want.
If the Grizzlies select Hasheem Thabeet at No. 2, the Timberwolves could select Ricky Rubio at No. 3. Sacrammento might take Tyereke Evans which would allow Sam Presti to take either James Harden or Stephen Curry, two players Presti reportedly likes and obatin an additional draft pick.
Who knows how it will turn out? After trading Mike Miller and Randy Foye, Minnesota needs perimeter players but there was a report they would love Thabeet to fill out their front line. It could be a smoke screen to force Memphis to take Thabeet. It may be legit.
There also is a report the Thunder likes Rubio and plans to sign him and keep him, not trade him. Seems a little far-fetched but maybe Presti feels Rubio is a special player and will worry about shooting guard and center later in this draft, free agency or next season. Again, it could be a smoke screen or legit.
Combined with the rumor that OKC might be trying to obtain Phoenix’s No. 14 pick in exchange for the Suns unprotected pick for 2010 to try and get B.J. Mullens, there’s no telling what spots the Thunder drafts.
OKC currently has the No. 3 and 25 picks but conceivably could end up with No. 5, No. 14 and No. 18.
Rumors will only heat up all day Wednesday and throughout the day on Thursday. By the end of the day everything could change.
–MB
Another lottery pick?
By Mike Baldwin
ESPN reported late Tuesday night that the Thunder and Phoenix are rumored to be discussing a trade that would give Oklahoma City two lottery picks Thursday night in the draft.
Ready for the punch line. The Suns want their unprotected pick back that Sam Presti stole from them just a few months on the job from the Kurt Thomas trade two years ago.
According to the report, OKC would get Phoenix’s No. 14 pick while the Suns would get the Thunder’s No. 25 pick late in the first round. It went on to say Presti has an eye on using the pick on Ohio State center B.J. Mullens.
Is it a good deal? It depends.
Phoenix might dismantle. The pick Phoenix would get back could be extremely valuable in the 2010 draft, which figures to be much more loaded with star prospects. What if the Suns tear things apart and have a top 10 pick next season?
If the deal is made, who does Presti select with the final lottery pick?
Mullens would be a project. He was a major disappointment last season as a freshman with the Buckeyes. But many scouts feel he has a lot of upside, although it might be two or three years before you could fairly evaluate someone like Mullens.
But what if Presti ends up using the pick to take someone like Pitt’s beast DeJuan Blair, who might contribute immediately, giving the Thunder some much needed inside muscle?
For now, it’s only a rumor. But if Presti does get Phoenix’s pick it’s a sign he’s confident the team is closer to putting all the pieces together, even if he has to wait a year or two to let someone like Mullens develop.
Chase Budinger In Today
Thunder just announced a five-player workout for today, a group of swingmen that includes Arizona’s Chase Budinger, Memphis’ Antonio Anderson, Temple’s Dionte Christmas, LSU’s Garrett Temple and Villanova’s Dwayne Anderson.
Budinger is the biggest name on the list, the only one who projects as a first-round pick. He could be a candidate for the Thunder at No. 25 if the team keeps the pick and he’s still on the board. Seems he’ll have to impress today in a session in which he’s without a doubt the best prospect in the workout.
It’s the second workout for Christmas, which is interesting because the Thunder doesn’t currently have a second-round pick and the No. 25 is considered way too high to draft him. I did have Christmas as a potential sleeper, though. Maybe the Thunder would like to trade into the second round and grab him, or even do a post-draft trade similar to the Kyle Weaver acquisition and bring him in.
