Barring any trades, the Thunder have two picks in the June 25th draft. The first, slotted at #3, has already been discussed on this website, and since then, depending on who you believe the options have been narrowed to:
Ricky Rubio (6'4" PG, DKV Joventut-Spain)James Harden (6'5" SG, Arizona State)Hasheem Thabeet (7'3" C, Connecticut)Stephen Curry (6'3" SG/PG, Davidson)Jordan Hill (6'10" PF, Arizona)Jrue Holliday (6'4" PG, UCLA)
Holliday is the new name in the bunch, and probably the longest shot of actually being considered by the Thunder. However, because he is the fast riser after the NBA combine, and his similarities to Russell Westbrook, some websites who think Sam Presti has a type think he might land in Oklahoma City. Other rumors among this group:
- Thunder scouts were basically members of the Davidson travel entourage since they supposedly scouted Stephen Curry so extensively during the season. Since this would mean they are obviously enamored with the mid-major sharp shooter, the team may be open to trading down a few spots to take him. Or, failing that, they may do the same thing they did with Westbrook and take Curry much earlier than anyone had him projected at #3.
- Ricky Rubio would be perfectly happy playing for the Thunder. Memphis? Not-so-much. That means Memphis is more likely to deal their #2 pick, but are either asking too much or having trouble getting teams to make good offers. That could change as the draft gets closer.
- Harden has cancelled workouts with teams outside of the top-5 suggesting he has a promise from someone at the top of the draft. OKC is the first team most analysts believe want him and therefore some think Sam Presti made him a promise. Washington at #5 is a better bet, but both the Wizards and Oklahoma City are also heavily rumored to be heavily in the trade market.
- Hasheem Thabeet may not even be on the Thunder's radar.
The second pick that the Thunder possess is the 25th selection of the draft, and in honor of my 25th Peace, Love and Thunderstanding entry, I thought I'd focus on what the team may do with that pick. After the jump, of course.