June 2009 Archives

Mock drafts everywhere had Mullens, an Ohio State product, going at the end of the lottery or just after. The same 'experts' had Thunder GM Sam Presti looking to trade up in hopes of taking the big man for D-League Tulsa. I do not expect Mullens to play much this season, but he is definitely the type of player that can help in 2-3 years when OKC is battling in the Western Conference playoffs.

Dallas was kind enough with the 24th pick to take the guy Presti wanted, and all it will cost is a future 2nd round pick. That is a far cry from what the Thunder may have given up to grab the potential center of the future. I am looking forward to seeing Mullens during summer league play and will make a number of trips down I-44 to watch him dominate for Tulsa.

My take on the third overall pick, James Harden, can be summed up in one word -- perfect. I was not a Rubio fan and honestly hoped Memphis took Thabeet. The one thing missing from OKC's core was a legit shooter from the outside, and they not only accomplished that but also took a guy familiar with his backcourt mate. 

According to the Thunder Official site, Harden and Russell Westbrook have known each other since their early teen years. They played together growing up and now have a chance to form a potent duo to the front court pair of Kevin Durant and Jeff Green.

UPDATE: Robert Vaden, another big-time shooter, joins OKC after a trade with Charlotte. He is a great addition to the Thunder and almost certain to start out next to Mullens in Tulsa. More on that pick-up next week as I look at the roster from top to bottom.

While there will be more on this pick later, the big question now is whether or not the Thunder try to trade up to get a big man. Rumors have had a trade in the works for a mid-teens pick, and I expect a deal will be made. 

NBA Draft night is typically full of last-minute deals and 2009 is no different. Honestly I would hate to make a guess of how many before, during, or after trades are going to happen all in the first round. So many teams are struggling with getting under the salary cap that some definite head-scratching moves are bound to happen. 

That leaves OKC in prime position to pull off a number of interesting moves. I am starting to get on the Thabeet band-wagon a little more but only because I feel it would allow for another, more expensive foreign player to join the mix. Hedo Turkoglu made himself quite a bit of money during Orlando's run to the Finals, and the basketball world knows it.

Now the Thunder just need to find a way to make an up-and-coming team a contender.

First, they need to stay away from any guard in the first round and focus on the UConn center. That will be the signal that Turkoglu is looking for in my opinion, as he wants to go to the best situation (and make $$$). Right now OKC has plenty of pieces and all that is missing is the 'glu' to keep it together. 

How does this look for a line-up on Opening Day?

PG - Westbrook

SG - Durant

SF - Turkoglu

PF - Green

C - Krstic

You then have Livingston and Sefolosha as a powerful back court to go with Thabeet, White, Collison, and Weaver as the reserves. With a few improvements here or there, few if any NBA teams could match that kind of depth. 

I am not much of a hockey fan anymore, but I could see some situations in Oklahoma City where you have 3-4 different 'lines'. It would all depend on the game situation, but that is a luxury you get with flexible players. Of the starting five listed above, each can play multiple positions and offer match-up problems along the way.

The Thunder hold all the cards with cap room and the willingness to take chances few teams will. GM Sam Presti continues to pull rabbits out of his hat, and I can't wait to see what he does next.