[ccmbballParticipant]

OKC is projected to take Rubio, Harden, or Thabeet at the number three spot, but who would be a good pick at the number 25 spot? I think Memphis will select Rubio at 2 because of his playmaking ability and I like Harden at 3 to OKC, because I am not convinced that Thabeet is what he is hyped up to be. Unless they draft Thabeet at three, I think OKC will need to draft a big man with their later pick, maybe Blair (if he drops that far), Gani Lawal, or Taj Gibson. Obviously, who they take at 25 will depend on who they take at number 3, but what would be some likely picks at 25 for OKC?

[GreenLanternParticipant]

I got them taking a wing, Chase Budinger or Derrick Brown (one of the biggest sleepers in the draft) but only if they get Thabeet at three. Remember guys, Durant can play the two or the three and there are no bigs at 25 that are better than Green or the guy they drafted last year that is playing overseas right now.

[ccmbballParticipant]

Budinger would be a good choice but I am not so big on taken Derrick Brown. I still think they need some more frontcourt depth though.

[Rising RookieParticipant]

The Thunder have a bright future with Westbrook, Durant, Green, Krstic, Livingston, and White. But don’t forget about the other rookies that are playing overseas, such as Serge Ibaka, who would be a great FC for them. I believe they should draft Hasheem Thabeet at #3. To me, Thabeet is one of those big centers that are so rare, such as Shaq, Ilguaskus, or Yao. His offense may not be the greatest, but that’s why they have Durant and Westbrook. I have on my mock draft that they should take Omri Casspi at the #25 spot. Casspi is a raw talent that can run the floor and is very athletic for his size. Plus he is a great shooter. Although he is listed at 6’8” and a SF, they could also fill him into SG.

This offseason the Thunder should shop around for backups around the league, using the contract of Earl Watson as bait as it expires in time for 2010. They really shouldn’t worry about 2010 because they are not big contenders for LeBron and guys of that caliber. They should build off of what they have and ultimately they will have a playoof team guaranteed. Bringing in a veteran for a cheap price would also help. This would be my lineup for next year:

PG: Westbrook (Backup: Livingston)
SG: Durant (Backup: Casspi)
SF: Green (Backup: ?)
PF: Krstic (Backup: White)
C: Thabeet (Backup: Ibaka)

[GreenLanternParticipant]

Casspi would be an really, really great choice at pick 25. I think he’s going earlier though.

[futureGM22Participant]

Don’t forget about Thabo Sefolosha. He played a lot of minutes for them towards the end of the year and will probably be a key back up next year.
Also, Nick Collison has a bigger role than DJ White

[Jackieng1102Participant]

Thunder has lots of player at SF, so they would not need to pick a winger.
It is better to keep watson in the team, since Livingston&atkins is not responsible
dasmond Mason&Thabo Sefolosha will fight for the place of SF ,because of their outstanding result
PG: Westbrook (Backup: Livingston/atkins)
SG: Durant (Backup: 25th pick /watson(move westbrook to SG, watson hold the ball))
SF: dasmond Mason(Don’t forget him) (Backup: Thabo Sefolosha/green)
PF: Jeff Green (Backup: Collison/DJ White)
C: Krstic /Thabeet (Backup: Collison)

[ccmbballParticipant]

One possible lineup after the draft could be:

PG: Westbrook (Livingston/Watson)
SG: Harden (Weaver)
SF: KD (Thabo Sefolosha)
PF: Jeff Green (DJ White/ Blair)
C: Kristic (Collison/Ibaka?)

Of course KD can play 3 or 2, Westbrook can play 1 or 2, and Jeff Green can play 4 or 3 which gives the Thunder tons of flexibility. Despite not getting Thabeet, the Thunder can still have a good front court because they have depth. They may not have that one dominating presence (Thabeet), but each player will have something they can contribute to help this team win.

[cheesepillowParticipant]

Hill at number 3 for his explosive offensive prowess and Terrence Williams for perimeter D who can start a fast break in transition as the gunner or the runner?

[ccmbballParticipant]

I would not take Hill over Thabeet. While Hill may be better polished offensively, Thabeet has the ability to change a game with his defense, much like Dwight Howard does for the magic. Howard is so big and athletic he is able to match up well against any center in the NBA and play great help defense as well (hence him winning DPOY). While I think Thabeet’s defensive ability is far from that of Dwight Howard’s, I believe he resembled that dominance at the college level. Whether Thabeet can be dominant in the NBA like he was in college is yet to be seen.

I like the Williams selection. Great player in college and very fun to watch, and I think his game will translate into the NBA, once he improves his shooting.

[jaycee24Participant]

I really think the Thunder should trade out of their # 3 pick.
Durant is a great offensive player but would prolly b best suited guarding 3’s.
Thats why i think they need 2 get rid of green. They could trade green{ who really is a 3} and their # 3 and possibly a 2nd rounder 4 Amare and the Suns 1st round pick. If that trade went through the Thunders lineup would look like this for 09-10

PG: Westbrook
SG: Thabo
SF: KD
PF: STAT
C:Kristic
This would leave them with a super explosive starting lineup with a deep frontcourt. They could use the #14 for a SG and use the later 1st round picks to sure up the depth at PG

[cumoneileen8Participant]

I was thinking of a trade as well, but not one of such large proportions as getting Amare.
I think the Thunder should trade down to the #5 pick of the Wizards. Send the #3 and a role player for #5 and JaVale McGee. The wizards draft thabeet for a legit center and defensive presence, and then OKC gets a cheaper pick and a good potential center in McGee.
I think they should take Harden with the 5 because he wont demand as much of the ball as say, Derozan, and he brings a good perimeter D and a lot of glue characteristics for a team.
With their #25 pick i think they should take a PFlike Blair, Hansbrough, Gibson, or maybe even Lawal if he falls.

Then you end up with a lineup of:
Westbrook (Livingston/Watson), Harden (Weaver), KD (Thabo), Green (Collison), Kristic (McGee).

[Author]

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