NBA Insiders Amin Elhassan and Bradford Doolittle break down the draft profile, needs and potential picks of the 14 teams eligible for the NBA draft lottery this year. With some help from Chad Ford's Big Board, we take a look at the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Personnel needs: PG, SG
Major need: Shooting! With Kevin Durant's in-and-out status, the Thunder converted to a spread offense but lacked pure shooting outside of Anthony Morrow. Even when Durant comes back, there needs to be a constant presence of someone who can keep defenses honest.
Quiet need: Russell Westbrook was superhuman over the second half of the season, but it would be prudent to find a solid backup point guard who can relieve Westbrook and play alongside him.
Not a need: I like Oklahoma City's big rotation of Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, Mitch McGary and Nick Collison. They all fill different roles and know and meet their expectations.
Depth chart
Jobs in jeopardy: Kanter and Kyle Singler are the only free agents on the roster, and they're both restricted. Kanter was their crown jewel acquisition at the trade deadline, and while he stuffed the stat sheet in terms of points and rebounds, he was atrocious defensively. Singler fit in nicely as a glue guy, doing a little bit of everything.
Don't mess with it: There's going to be a lot of clamoring for Oklahoma City to trade Durant. Again, unless he walks into Sam Presti's office and intimates he'll leave as a free agent at season's end, I can't imagine the Thunder doing anything to hasten that departure, self-fulfilling-prophecy style.
What free agency could solve
The Thunder are going to be right up against the tax threshold (especially if they plan on retaining Kanter), and if they use any of their non-taxpayer exceptions, they'll trigger the hard cap. There's not a lot of wiggle room for them there.
How they draft
Where they draft well: Presti's draft hits are so good, they've become the blueprint for every rebuilding franchise hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. Durant, Westbrook, James Harden, Ibaka, Adams, Reggie Jackson ... the hits keep on coming! And from all over the draft board!
Where they don't draft well: Perry Jones III was a risk worth taking at the bottom of the first round in 2012, but one can't help but feel somewhat disappointed that he was not salvageable. Cole Aldrich (2010) as a lottery pick was a stretch, and he's just now getting around to proving he's an NBA player.
Three best fits
Stanley Johnson (Chad Ford Big Board ranking: No. 11): His name will be the one to keep track of in the late lottery, since he answers the bell in so many ways: defender, aggressive attacker off the dribble, decent shooter. His practice work ethic is rumored to be less than exemplary, but that won't fly in the Thunder organization.
Devin Booker (No. 20): Booker comes as advertised: pure shooter from a blue-blood program. In many ways, he duplicates what Morrow brings to the table as a great catch-and-shoot player but defensive liability.
R.J. Hunter (No. 21): Hunter might be the best shooter in the draft, but his deflated efficiency numbers (from having to carry Georgia State) might mask that. Still, he's a proven winner, and having to do more at Georgia State than just catch and shoot will aid his transition to the next level.
It's a good draft if ...
What they must accomplish: OKC can continue to add depth and maybe some talent that has a chance to grow past an immediate role. Regardless of whether Durant stays or goes, there needs to be contingency plans for the next phase of Thunder basketball.
Additional goals: Solid backup point guard play for a championship contender usually doesn't manifest itself in the draft, so exploring the trade market might be something to get a head start on, especially considering their lack of spending flexibility this summer.