[valentine]

I think Oklahoma Thunder has a nice core of young talent with its 3 main guys

Kevin Durant 25.3 ppg 6.50 rpg 2.8 apg 1.30 spg
Jeff Green 16.5 ppg 6.70rpg 2.0 apg 1.04 spg
Russell Westbrook 15.3 ppg 4.90rpg 5.3 apg 1.34 spg

Durant at 21 is one of the best scorers in the league, Green is a good player that compliments Durant, and Westbrook who’s an athletic point guard in a Steve Francis mold.

Their roster has also some respectable role players with Nenad Kristic, Thabo Sefolosha, and Nick Collison. This year’s draft pick would be big for the them. So who should they get? Considering that Griffin is going to the Clippers, here are some of the possible prospects.

Prospects:
Hasheem Thabeet
James Harden
Ricky Rubio
Jordan Hill

Thabeet would fit perfectly in their line-up, because the team lacks a dominant defensive center, Thabeet’s raw offensively, but you don’t need to score that much when you have a Kevin Durant in your team.

Harden would also be a nice fit with them, they also lack a good shooting guard in their line up, and Harden could start immediately and produce.

Rubio isn’t that much of a good fit for them, because they have Westbrook who’s young and still improving, But its hard to ignore Rubio’s talent.

Hill could be another guy who would fit nicely another big man with good upside, But Hill plays more of a forward’s game than center, But he could be a nice fit too.

My Pick: Thabeet

Never mind his raw offensive ability, he could make an impact defensively and help the thuder, who’s lacking defensive presence in the court. If they pick Thabeet they would have a starting line-up of

C- Thabeet
PF- Green
SF-Durant
SG-Sefolosha
PG-Westbrook

[RickyRubio9Participant]

is the way for the Thunder to go. I just think they should get a Center because there aren’t as many good ones and believe it or not. Thabeet will be a good center and he’s the perfect fit for this team in my mind. Next year they can go for a 2 guard in free agency or the draft because I expect them to be late lottery drafters next season unless lucky. Seriously though, Thabeet seems like a match with this team to make up for Green’s size.

[a2Participant]

They should choose Thabeet since they lack a great big man on the inside. They don’t need rubio since they have Westbrook who looks like he will be a star soon. Harden could be a good wing for them but Durant could always be moved to the 2 guard position and let Green play the SF if needed. Hill would be a good choice inside also and would give them a scoring option in the paint. I think Thabeet would be the best choice for the Thunder.

[Deeds]

Hopefully Memphis won’t get Thabeet.

[Michael.S.Participant]

i think tey should go rubio but i think theyll go thabeet

[Deeds]

I beg to disagree if they stick with Rubio, But they could use Rubio as a trade bait to get more veteran players to help the team.

[butidonthavemoney]

I want them to take Rubio or Harden. I’m afraid they’ll take Curry.

[Deeds]

Agreed, Harden could be a good fit, and Rubio could be a nice trade bait.

[juves4783Participant]

i think the thunder are in a win-win position. thabeet or harden fits perfectly in their line-up. thabeet is the perfect compliment to green. he would sit in the post and allow green to play more on the perimeter where he is probably at his best. harden would slide right into their starting line-up. he’s a great shooter and would definitely fit right in with the slashing westbrook and durant creating shots for him.

[Deeds]

Yeah, Harden or Thabeet.

[MattissickParticipant]

I hear memphis wants Thabeet. Rubio’s agent said there is no way that Rubio will play for memphis and they need a defensive presence like Thabeet. The best route for the Thunder to go is to pick Harden at 3 because he would immediately start at the 2 and has the best upside in the draft (especially if he can become Roy-like as some people including myself think). If not Harden, I think they should take either Hill, Holiday, Curry or maybe Evans.

[Deeds]

yeah, Harden or Harden in that case.

[NYK2010Participant]

could they trade down and get Hill.?

[Deeds]

Probably, but Harden or Thabeet are the best players of their team.

[stoppre1213Participant]

Take Rubio, if he is there, and trade him for a veteren 2, and whatever else quality back ups they can get. Try to sign a big man, Gortat, or try and get one for rubio. This team doesn’t need anymore youth, they need quality back-ups and a 2 with some playoff experience…that can also handle the ball – Harden fits that perfectly, but then you look at Thabeet who fits the other glaring need. I think trading Rubio will fill more holes and get them there quicker, unless they are willing to shell out dough and bring in a FA.

[Deeds]

not bad, but they should get a 5 than a 2.

[stoppre1213Participant]

I think they need a 5 more too, but it all depends on Ibaka, I also kind of think whatever Thabeet can do Ibaka can do and better…so whats the point of drafting him unless they are trying to build the twin towers…which would work Ibaka gets compared to Hakeem alot and Thabeet gets compared to Dikembe.

Plus what centers can you really trade for that won’t kill cap. If they can trade down to 4 and get Thompson or Hawes and 4 for Rubio….I think that would be money!

[dolla33]

Memphis isnt going to draft hasheem thabeet they dont need him the have to many center they going to draft ricky rubio and trade him thabeet is going to thunder i think they should get gortat from free agency then there 25 pick they should draft dionte christmas he reminds me of paul pierce he and durant are simlar to i think they both like to shoot get dionte christmas we be okc dont be surpised if he gets pick by them
C Thabeet/Gortat
PFGreen/Collinson
SFDurant/Mason
SGChristmas/Sefolosha
PGWestbrook/Waston

I Think They would make the Playoff Next year for the first time before the bobcats y do my city team suck lol

[cryan03Participant]

what about Evans at pick number 3? and then take a big like Gibson from USC at 25 and pick up another big via free agency?

[fastdanParticipant]

As much as I think Harden would fit perfectly, with his youth, unselfishness, and ability to spread the floor for Durant and Green, probably even in his rookie year, it needs to be taken into consideration how difficult it will be for OKC to land a decent C in the net couple seasons. Every championship team in the last 10-15 years has had a big man anchor to the lineup that has held down the defense, and I don’t see a team in the near future breaking this mold and being successful . The dilemma arises that if they don’t lock up a decent C now they might not be able to ever. This year there is only Gortat and Chris Anderson who are free agents, neither are proven starters, and I imagine it would be difficult to land free agents in a small town with a rebuilding franchise such as OKCT. Next year the C FA crop is just as week, and there isn’t really any special Cs coming out of the draft as well. Durant and Green are going to have to be resigned in the summer of 2011 and it may bring OKC close to the cap, and in another season they will have to sign Westbrook. This may bring OKC close or over the cap, and signing a free agent will not be possible. They need to put together the pieces to compete for the championship in 2 years or it might be to late.

Presti is a smart guy and understands this, and may feel cornered to take Thabeet if he’s still available because he knows this might be the only time where he can land a C who may be able to start and be effective in this league.

As for the people who want to take Rubio and trade them for experienced veterans, I would say that this might be a good strategy in a couple years, but at this point in the Thunders life it would be a waste. I don’t think anything shy of Kobe and Dwight coming to this team would make the difference for them to make playoffs. The West is too strong, and OKC is just too young. Spending money on veterans or trading picks for them would a poor decision. They need to build their team around draft picks, because that is the only sure way for them to land top players. Also trading for veterans is a poor financial move. Like I said, I don’t think anything but a couple all-stars would take this team to the playoffs next year, so paying out contracts of veterans would be a dumb decision on managements part. You have to remember that NBA teams are a business before anything, and I can’t imagine OKC having the kind of income a team like the Knicks or Lakers have, just because of a sheer population, so they can spend more on players.

[R-Dot-13Participant]

#3 pick James Harden

Trade #25 pick Nick Calathes and Nick Collison to Phoenix for BJ Mullens?

[aarondsonixfanParticipant]

They will probably take Harden at 3 and then have MANY trade talks about aquiring Chris Kaman. LAC has too many big guys, and are trying to get playing time for B-Griff. So they will probably trade the 25 and other players to get Kaman. Probably people like Watson and Collison

[gatorheelsParticipant]

I have been saying they should take Harden because he seems like he has the game and personality that would blend well with Durant, Green, & Westbrook however…..I now think the Thunder has to take Thabeet because a 7’3″ Center doesn’t come along everyday. Personally I feel Oklahoma City can find a solid shooting guard similar to Harden in next years draft. Drafting Thabeet at #3 then picking Xavier Henry next year seems like a good idea. Really though Harden is still a very solid pick. Oklahoma can always trade for a Center like Kaman or pick up a free agent like Gortat. I would rather have Thabeet instead of Kaman or Gortat though.

[KidDelicious35Participant]

With the 2 first round selections in this draft and likely 2 lottery selections next year (I don’t think OKC or the Suns are making the playoffs next year) along with the expiring contract of Watson which is valuable because it is around 6 million, and a young core of players who can play multiple positions (Russ 1 or 2, Durant 2 or 3, and Green 3 or 4) they can go in a number of directions. I personally think Harden would fit in wonderful with this team as his strengths (outside shooting, plus passer for a 2 guard) mesh well with the deficiencies of the current starting backcourt. And while I personally don’t think Thabeet will be that great and has serious bust potential, I would not be surprised or that disappointed if they take him 3rd.

7’3 centers do not come along that often and his ability to block shots and rebound and desperately needed by OKC. I personally think his block numbers are somewhat inflated since in college he had the ability to camp out in the lane and is also playing against players who are shorter and not as athletic as players in the league. However I think with a young core of Russ, KD, and Green OKC can take a risk on Thabeet. 2 guards who will likely be at best a 3rd option offensively on this team are a lot easier to find than a center who can defend the elite big men in the league. Also the difference between Thabeet and the next available center is much greater than the difference between Harden and other 2 guards. OKC could take Thabeet at 3 and then if someone like DeRozan falls to around 10 or 11 they can try to move up by trading the 25th and a first next year or the contract of Watson. Or if they want to hang back they can try selecting a shooter such as Ellington later in the first. Combine that with the possibility to sign a big like Gortat in FA and the Thunder could be a dangerous team in the future.

[Thunder09Participant]

I believe Harden would take them Further than Thabeet. Harden is Ball smart. Thabeet,is Just a Defensive Presence. Harden can play both sides of the ball.

[KidDelicious35Participant]

I think he fits in perfectly with this team and I think has serious bust potential, I was simply suggesting that OKC might end up going with Thabeet and some reasons why that may be the case. Pretty much everywhere has Harden linked to OKC and from following the team it seems like whatever people think Presti is going to do is not the direction they end up going. Also as I said while I don’t think Thabeet is going to be the next Dikembe as some have suggested, if OKC selects him 3rd I won’t be completely disappointed for the reasons I said above and because most of the time Presti seems to know what he is doing and apparently OKC has scouted Thabeet more than any team in the league so if they deem him worthy of going 3rd overall I won’t be that disappointed.

[dhamp4]

i think John Bryant would have been the right pick he couldve solidified their center spot as a 4th stringer.

Dhamp2…the greatest basketball mind in the world. Next to Hubie Brown anyway.
Bryant will be an all star
Lebron James is overrated
Wade is going to sign with the Lakers
Kings are gonna win the finals

[Author]

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