[eos11Participant]

OKC will be an interesting team watch during the off-season. We all know how good this team is, they are a championship team, the best team of the west for many and they have an emergent trio counting two all-star players.

But, they have some big flaws, yes “big” is the correct word. Let’s face it, Perkins lacks of athleticism, isn’t that good at rebounds, lacks of consistent defense and that temper… Then even with great young players like Lamb, Perry Jones, Reggie, the bench isn’t very good, and can’t score many points. (22nd in the league at bench points per game)

So, with that said, I will think about possible scenarios taking in consideration that OKC have the Toronto pick.

1- OKC keep Perkins, re-sign K.Martin and draft a Center with a good potential that would take Thabeet role plus some more minutes.

2- Amnesty Perkins, re-sign K.Martin and draft a Center, that would take Perkins role. Giving some more minutes to Perry Jones, depending on Thabeet situation. This situation would allow OKC some cap room.

3- Amnesty Perkins, let go K.Martin, draft a center. Lamb would take over the 6th man, OKC style of role. With all the cap room, it would maybe be possible to draft a good Center, like Pekovic, depending on the offers he gets.

Now only thinking about the pick(s):

As you can see, I think that OKC will pick a big guy, Noel, Alex Len, Cody Zeller, Olynyk, Plumlee, Rudy Gobert or even Mitch McGary if he declares, are some names of first round centers in this year draft.

1- OKC stays with the 9th to 11th pick and choose one of these guys.

2- OKC moves up, packing all the picks and try to get Noel (?)

3- OKC trade pick(s) for a NBA player, again, would probably be a center

4- OKC trade pick(s) for next year picks, would maybe be a gamble, but isn’t 2014’s draft worth it?

Now as side notes, they has 3 picks this year, I think that we will see 3 new rookies next year. Wouldn’t be what the team needs, the rookies wouldn’t have many opportunities, as you can see Lamb and Perry Jones are playing for Tulsa, and that’s a great thing, but it shows that there is not a lot of minutes for rookies.

Also, if OKC doesn’t draft a center, I can see them picking Oladipo, just because Sefolosha has been way better this year (scoring, mostly) and will maybe get a better role and contract in a different team. This way, OKC would keep that great defender at the 2 spot, add quickness and athleticism.

And finally, a small forward? I don’t think it will happen but the truth is that OKC doesn’t have a true SF other than Durant. When Durant is on the bench, there is 3 guards on the floor, and this Reggie, K Martin and Westbrook play together, and it can work. But, again, if OKC chooses a SF it would be a bench player.

Well, that’s all, there are many more scenarios, feel free to share your thoughts.
Sorry for any mistakes or errors.

[joe2324Participant]

the smartest move for OKC is too not rush and use this draft pick in a TERRIBLE draft class. They can pretty much hold onto this pick for the next couple of years. Because this draft is so terrible, the odds of toronto adding a big time difference maker by selecting say 6th or 7th are extremely low so its quiet possible this team may not grow at all and be in the same spot as next year. Now, of course, your taking a gamble because they’ll have Jonas with 1 yr experience and Rudy Gay playing a full season so anything is possible. I would be patient and hold onto the draft pick until they find the right draft class with a high enough selection. Think about it, lets be honest here at least 75% of this draft class is going to be in the D league, overseas or not playing at all so why take that chance if your OKC. 2014 looks so much promising with higher quality talent.

[220Participant]

OKC can deal this pick, but it’s not like they can tell Toronto to save it and they’ll take it next year. According to the terms of their deal unless this pick becomes a top 3 pick it goes to OKC.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

I like option 2. This is a strong center draft and OKC might be the ideal landing spot for Cody Zeller. I think it is unlikely that a team would trade a 2014 pick for the Toronto pick, although that would really make sense for the Thunder, as they don’t necessarily need to draft an impact rookie this year.

[KHAM83Participant]

Since when does Okc have a choice of when to take the pick? It’s theirs if it falls outside of the top 3. They cannot choose to hold it until next year. Now, if okc has the pick this year, I think they move it for a veteran center, rather than drafting one. Like you said, there isn’t minutes to go around and none of the centers coming out are sure things, they are projects and bigs usually take much longer to develop. Bigs that comes to mind on teams that’ll be interested to deal are:
Gortat- Phx would either love another lotto pick, Lamb, or possibly even Perry Jones. Give them a combo of 2, plus Perkins contract for Gortat and Scola and solve your “big” issue
Hawes- Philly would interested in adding Martin next to Holiday.
Dalembert- Milwaukee would love to add Lamb or Martin next to Jennings. Throw in Mbah a Moute and that’s a great defensive SF to backup Durant

[220Participant]

Kevin Martin is a free agent at the end of the year, but even if he wasn’t I doubt the 76ers would deal Spencer Hawes for him. Hawes is the 76ers only quality big guy over 6’8″ so dealing him for an aging shooting guard wouldn’t make sense right now.

[DolanCareParticipant]

There’s little doubt that Gortat makes sense on the Thunder. He’s a solid low post scorer and isn’t a liability on defense….. pretty much all they need. It’s still a rare skillset though. I hope the Suns can get more for him than Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones and a draft pick…. and of course the Perkins contract so we can balance the books. That would be awful for Phoenix.

I would be interested if the Thunder would take on Gortat if it also meant getting Beasley as well. Then it would be at least somwhat fair for Phoenix. But could you imagine Beasley messing up a fast break and having to deal with Russell afterwards?? It would be entertainment of the highest variety. It could only be matched if Beasley went to the Celtics under Garnett. Unfortunately, in that scenario Beasley may begin to hurt himself.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

This may be a bad draft, but it will be the highest pick that OKC will get for awhile. Obviously if they win a title this year then they won’t need much help. But, if they don’t they should use this draft to address their weaknesses.

I still think they need another creator on offense and/or a big man inside.

Cody Zeller might be there in that range. I would look at him. Or Mitch McGary as a dirty work, rebound guy to replace Kendrick Perkins. I think McGary would fit in well with Serge Ibaka.

Alex Len is a big man with size and skill that should be worth a look.

Michael Carter-Williams is a big point guard who can pass and create. He would replace some of what James Harden brought to the table.

[Mad MaxParticipant]

Al Jefferson.

Seriously.

[GREENE1148Participant]

Point a) Bench is fine, you neglected to point out that the bench is also 19th in minutes per game… they are 3rd in bench FG%, 2nd in 3pt%, and first in FT%

Scenarios:
1. Perkins will be staying, if they intended to Amnesty him, they would have done so last year and kept James Harden.

Kevin Martin will need to love winning, and being back in a small town…they will offer somewhere around $15m 3 years (MLE?).

Hasheem will keep his current role, unless the drafted rookie is playing like Drummond, even then its unlikely. Hash has earned some trust with Presti obviously, and even though he is a major bust as a 2nd overall pick, he is actually really good in his current situation, 7/9.5 with 2.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per 36, 108 Orating and 99 Drating, he is a great presence in his limited minutes, and contracted for the next 2 seasons…

2 and 3) Perkins isn’t going anywhere…

Now how i think it plays out

4. Martin want’s more money, signs elsewhere. Reggie Jackson becomes the first guy off the bench as a combo guard, Lamb gets 15-20 minutes per game (Liggins could crack the rotation as well)… They go after another veteran with their MLE (haven’t looked into that market much yet so no guesses)

Now for the pick…

1) Noel obviously won’t be available, Len seems like the only logical fit there, unless Gobert really impressed Sam on his visit… I think Olynyk/Zeller are almost out of the question, both are very questionable defensively, and aren’t extremely long/athletic (look at the rest of OKCs roster (save for Martin who i think was a gap-stop) and it’s clear defense/defensive upside are clear values to Presti, Plumlee is a reach there imo… Most likely situation, Presti drafts the BPA, and hopes that it’s Len

2) Would be nice, definitely a swing for the fences move, but a little over-optimistic that a) a team is interested and b)all eggs in one basket, might blow up (not the end of the world though, its a move they can afford)

3) Can’t see anyone a drafting a rotation center on a rookie scale contract (to stay under the cap) for the 10th pick in a weak draft

4) I think all GMs are aware that this draft is weak, and next years will be strong, can’t think of any that will be willing to risk their jobs like that…

I think Presti will be drafting the best players available, the players he feels will contribute the most by their 3rd and 4th seaosns (when they will actually be in the playoff rotation) regardless of where the picks lie, and the position of the player.

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