So we march on to the next step. Harden or Rubio or Thabeet or someone else? I have a feeling some moving around 
is going to happen before or on draft day. I’m sure I’ll be letting you know what I think in the near future. Get ready though, because a large portion of Bolts are coming your way.
Some saw it last night, but here’s Chad Ford’s first mock draft. And it’s got a very interesting twist: “The Thunder will have an easy choice here if Rubio is still on the board. Russell Westbrook can play off the ball, and he and Rubio would give the Thunder one of the best young backcourts in the NBA. Neither guy is a great shooter, but they have Kevin Durant for that. If the Grizzlies take Rubio, Oklahoma City will have a tough choice between Thabeet and James Harden.” I trust Chad Ford’s comments on the Grizzlies potentially taking Thabeet. He knows more people than I do. Though it wouldn’t make a bunch of sense and I’m sure the Grizzly fan base wouldn’t be that psyched.
Tom Ziller of Fanhouse has a mock draft as well and oh boy, he’s got the same scenario as Chad Ford: “No one knows whether Sam Presti believes Russell Westbrook is a point guard or two-guard in the NBA. If Rubio is on the board, we’ll find out in rather quick order. This would also be a tradable pick, depending on how the top two picks shake out.”
This came out late yesterday, but SI evaluates the 14 lottery teams: “Griffin isn’t just the dream sequence because it would mean a team already on the rise would also add the best player in the draft. Griffin grew up just outside of Oklahoma City and starred at OU. His addition would be more popular around the Ford Center than any other Griffin landing spot.No matter what, the Thunder covet interior scoring and interior defense, having been unexpectedly forced to continue the search for a defensive upgrade when they scuttled the Tyson Chandler acquisition because of an injury concern. OKC can also use a dependable shooting guard and should be in the range of Arizona State’s James Harden.”
Sam Amick of the Sac Bee: “With a dire need for improved point guard play and some of the sizzle Rubio is expected to deliver, the Kings may not be out of the Rubio sweepstakes just yet. The Clippers were awarded the first pick and are expected to take Griffin. Memphis picks second, and the improved play of point guard and 2007 No. 4 pick Mike Conley could mean the Grizzlies pass on Rubio and instead opt for 7-foot-3 Hasheem Thabeet of the University of Connecticut. The more mysterious spot is third, where Oklahoma City has a productive young point man in Russell Westbrook and a need to improve its frontline that went unfulfilled thanks to an aborted midseason trade for New Orleans center Tyson Chandler. The counterargument from those who expect the Thunder to select Rubio, of course, is that Westbrook is not a true point guard and Rubio would take their offense to a new level.”
Berry Tramel, and I think he may have overlooked someone: ”Could be UConn shot-blocker Hasheem Thabeet. Could be Arizona strong man Jordan Hill. Could, I suppose, be Spanish point guard phenom Ricky Rubio, if the Grizzlies of Memphis lose their mind and bypass him at No. 2. Either way, doesn’t matter. Since Thunder general manager Sam Presti took the basketball reins of this franchise, in June 2007, he’s had overall draft picks 2 (Durant), 5 (Jeff Green), 4 (Russell Westbrook) and now 3. If you can’t build a quality roster with that positioning, nobody to blame but yourself. Not that Presti has done anything to make us think he won’t ace this selection, too.”
NBA.com: “Oklahoma City’s choice seems relatively simple if Memphis decides to take Ricky Rubio at No. 2. They’ve been searching for a dominant defensive big man for years now, and wasted multiple top-10 picks in their search efforts back before this new front office was put in place. Their trade at the deadline for Tyson Chandler indicates that this continues to be a priority, so look for them to take Hasheem Thabeet if he’s indeed on the board here. If not, they will likely go for value and take Rubio, despite the fact that he may not be the greatest fit alongside Russell Westbrook. James Harden may be able to change their mind with a fantastic workout.”
Sam Presti, to the official team site: “We’re thrilled as an organization to pick third. We have a great opportunity in front of us to add a player who we think can grow with our team as we continue to build a franchise. It’s a great day for our fans. We’re truly excited for them as well because this will be their inaugural draft.”
Henry Abbott got behind closed doors for the lottery and spoke with Sam Presti: “Presti has a reputation for being guarded with the media. In a way, it seems ill-founded. We talked for twenty minutes about all kinds of stuff. I took notes the entire time. But then I read those notes and … really … he didn’t say anything that would make headlines. For instance, I asked about his team’s approach to statistical analysis, and whether or not they were one of the teams that charted plays to create their own statistical database, like the Rockets. His response: “I really value information, whether it’s subjective of objective. I always want to have as much of it as I can … I don’t think we’ll all end up doing it the same way, and that’s what makes the NBA what it is. For us, we like information. But not a lot of teams are going to keep up with [Houston GM Morey] Daryl and his crew. They are a really innovative group that has done a great job.” (For what it’s worth, I have it on good authority the Thunder do retain a stat expert.)”
Sportsnet.ca’s mock draft (Canadian website if you’re wondering): “Hasheem Thabeet – C, 7-3, 265, Connecticut, Junior Analysis — Slowly putting together a nice team in Oklahoma City with Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and no bad contracts. They could use some muscle on the inside or a shooter on the wing and Thabeet or James Harden would fill either of those holes. They also have another first round pick to look for help filling the holes.”
According to ESPN’s Andy Katz, it’s over – the Clippers will absolutely take Blake Griffin: “There will be no more drama. This isn’t a choice between Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley as there was a year ago for Chicago or Greg Oden and Kevin Durant as was the case two years ago for Portland. It’s over. The Clippers, while they won’t say it publicly — to create some sort of suspense — are already done with their draft work. Schwartz and Goldfeder are only planning one pre-draft visit now, to the Clippers. They were told by all 30 teams that Griffin was the pick … “After spending a lot of time and effort preparing for the possibility that we didn’t get the No. 1 pick, this now allows us a lot of clarity to take Blake Griffin,” said assistant general manager Neil Olshey. “It puts us at ease for the next six weeks.”
Yeah, I think this picture kind of leads to that thinking:
Oh, and Mike Dunleavy also said this: “Clearly, we’re taking Blake Griffin,” Clippers General Manager and Coach Mike Dunleavy said in a telephone interview from Barcelona, Spain. “This guy is the No. 1 pick. We’re extremely excited. He’s the guy.”
Bleacher Report’s mock draft: “OKC: Ricky Rubio: Rubio would fill the biggest hole in the Thunder lineup if picked at No. 3. The Thunder lack a legitimate play making point guard and that is Rubio’s specialty. Rookie Russell Westbrook played out of position at the point last season but was sufficient. Rubio is wise beyond his years and will only get better as he reaches his 20′s and 30′s. The Thunder could also select a big man to solidify their post for a decade. Nick Collison led the team in rebounding at only 6.9 per game and a player like Arizona’s Jordan Hill could help out on the glass. Hill is long and athletic and has a ton of potential on both ends. Hill finishes tough at the rim and would bring a much needed attitude to the weak-minded Thunder squad.”
3 Shades of Blue’s mock: “OKC : James Harden – Thabeet is supposed to be a lock here and maybe the Thunder trade down but they need some more scoring and I am not sure Thabeet is a great fit for the way has been set up by Presti.” Interesting. Seems like it’s kind of split on what the Grizzlies will do.
Both Draft Express and NBADraft.net have OKC taking Thabeet. But here’s one thing that fires me up to the brilliance of Sam Presti. By acquiring all these “tweeners” he can draft who he dang well pleases. He sets himself up to take the best player available every time. He can draft Rubio because Westbrook can slide right over. He can draft Harden, because Westbrook can play point. Just smart management. As Scott Brooks said: “I think with Russell I played him at both spots,” stated Brooks. “I think he’s as good, as athletic, and has improved every month that he understands he can play both guard spots. He thinks like a point guard, going into the season every month he got better. Towards the end of the year he was doing a good job of distributing the ball and he’s going to have a good summer. He’s a worker, he’s already working now, and I’m going to be out there next week to spend some time with him. We’re looking forward to Russell continuing to get better.”
HoopsWorld looks at if Rubio’s buyout really could be an issue: “One reason team representatives are trying to stay clear of the Rubio talk is because of the complicated nature of his buyout. Rubio’s signature is allegedly not on his current contract. As a 16-year-old, Rubio’s parents signed his deal with DKV Joventut in his place. That distinction lends favor to Rubio and Agent Dan Fegan. However, DKV Joventut does have Rubio’s signature on last season’s addendum to the contract which gave the mop-topped point guard a pay raise. The team is trying to leverage that signature into either 6 million euros this season or as much as 10 million euros next season. That’s right. Rubio’s buyout actually goes up next season, which means if the situation doesn’t get resolved this year, it probably won’t be resolved next season either. There is a remote possibility that Rubio doesn’t arrive in the NBA until the 2011-2012 season. According to one NBA agent, “teams could definitely back off… The buyout itself is sticky.” Rubio and Fegan still fearlessly entered the draft this season and seem confident that a deal can be worked out. NBA rules stipulate that teams can only contribute $500,000 to a foreign player’s buyout, which means Rubio will be paying the rest out of pocket. A lucrative marketing deal could soften the blow for the would-be rookie, but shoe deals have lulled with the economy.”
Fox Sports mock draft: “OKC: Hasheem Thabeet – Assuming Rubio goes second, OKC will likely decided between Thabeet, Hill or Harden. Thabeet would give the Thunder a potential Mutumbo type enforcer in the paint. There is optimism about his offensive game given his free-throw shooting stroke. His defense would be the yin to Durant’s offensive yang.”
Dime’s mock: “Oklahoma City – Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn Another easy choice. OKC fills its most glaring hole with a guy who can either be the next Mutombo or the next Dalembert. Either way, they’re getting a better center than anyone they have currently, and ideally an interior anchor for Scott Brooks’ defense.”
LA Times: “Oklahoma City: James Harden, 6-4, 215, Arizona State. Thunder likes the idea of pairing this playmaking shooting guard with converted point guard Russell Westbrook.” First guy I’ve seen that has OKC passing Rubio if he’s available.
Pro Basketball News’ (weird) mock draft: “OKC: Jordan Hill, F, Arizona: The Thunder has a few solid young wings and drafted Russell Westbrook last year to run the point, so Hill would be the best fit. That said, Rubio is a pretty intriguing prospect that doesn’t come along all that often, so it wouldn’t be shocking if he’s the choice, stockpiling the arsenal.” And that’s with Hasheem Thabeet going second to Memphis. That’s right, we pass on Rubio as well. Weird, huh?
Ridiculous Upside’s mock: “OKC: Hasheem Thabeet C (UCONN Junior) Thabeet is a rare player, a 7’3 center who blocks everything. Just his presence makes players flinch and blow easy lay-ups. He also can hit a 15-foot jump shot and is not a horrible FT shooter for a player of his size. The ThunderSonics have not had the greatest luck drafting 7-foot+ dudes (Mo Sene, Robert Swift, Johan Petro), but I think Thabeet would fit very well with this team. They have offense, why not draft some defense?” But then again, they still have the Clippers taking Rubio over Griffin even after the Clippers have basically already drafted Blake. That’s why I read Draft Express (wink wink Scott).
And finally, the Daily Thunder Big Board if you missed it or want to refresh on our top 12 players for the Thunder. Remember, not a mock draft, just a “top 12 players.” So if Memphis took Thabeet, our big board says we take Rubio. But if Rubio is gone, we say Harden.
@Ty
this is just so i can say this: i actually played with Daye in high school. he'll probably go higher based off potential- he's essentially a 6'10" guard, he's got an incredible skillset. but he's soft as hell and weighs like 180 pounds. he really should go back to gonzaga for another year, but i've read he'll probably go before 25 if he stays in the draft. this wasn't an especially important comment, i just wanted to say that i played with a first-round nba player. even if he was a dick.
@Keith
I wasn't aware that the rules requiring salary parity for trades had anything to do with cap space- I thought it was just predicated on the players being exchanged earning roughly the same ammount in their next contract years. If your scenario would require just eating 33 million in salary, then of course, the answer is no. The more I think about this, the more I like Bernard's proposal- Draft Harden. Buy Gortat. Call it a day.
@Steve H
Actually, since we are so far under the cap, we wouldn't have to add anything to the deal. And since the Clipps would be dropping Randolph for salary reasons, the deal would likely be predicated on not taking back anything they don't specifically want. But that's a good point on Gortat. Randolph is making 16 million next year and 17 million the year after. Take Green's salary away from the 16 million and we would suddenly be adding 12.5 million to our salary cap. That puts us only a few million away from the cap, which may make it impossible to steal Gortat.
Still, Blake for Green and taking on Randolph's salary... Is it worth it? Is Blake worth Green, 12 million extra payroll, and losing out on the cap that makes us trade friendly for other players?
@Steve H
The Polish Hammer should be sufficient, but I do like Gortat the Barbarian as well...
It's nice to dream, but the #1 pick has only been traded once I think, in the past two decades . . .
Vega :I wouldn’t overpay for Gortat. He’s basically a taller Nick Collison.
he looks to be more athletic and he actually has a few post moves from the little I've seen . . . I am glad they are still playing . . .
@Keith
In order for us to take back Randolph, we would have to send them apprx 12 mill in payroll on top of Green's contract (Collison and Watson come immediately to mind). Yeah, I think I would bite on that deal. At the end of the day we would lose roughly 5 mill from the second year of Randolph's contract (15 mill for Randolph, minus 10 mill saved from not paying Green and Collison), but we might be able to buy out his contract for close to that and let him go play somewhere in Europe. We would still be left with plenty of cap room to pursue the likes of "Gortat the barbarian".
@Nix
about charting the games defensively -
If I had the tape, Id do it this weekend . . .
I know this is WAY off topic, but I just have to point out that Liam Neeson and Scott Brooks could be brothers. Srsly. They look a lot alike.
Sniff Sniff i would do it and immediately sign Green in 2011 right after we re-sign Durant.....but it could be to late for Green and he could already be ruined.
does anyone know how many 1st round picks we have in 2011?
i read in an article that we have 7 first rounders in the next 3 years.
@Steve H
A few differences between Conley and Udrih are age, potential, and salary. Udrih is the poster boy for mediocrity and he's supposed to be in his prime. Even if Conley isn't wowing the Grizz, he certainly has more ability than Beno. It wouldn't be the first time a high draft pick didn't come into his own for a few years, but still wowed everyone afterwards.
As for the Clipps trading the pick, it would be dumb of anyone, which means they just might do it. Sure, everyone and their mother knows to take Blake and call it a day, but this is a team that's had, since the lottery was instituted, 3 number one picks, 2 number 2's, 2 number 3's, and yet still have been utterly incapable of fielding a decent team. If ever there was a team that makes me rethink a reverse order draft, it's the Clippers. The Clippers ruin careers and players. Elton Brand was one of the best big men in the game in LA, but ultimately it was for naught as the Clippers continued to be worthless. By the time Brand escaped, he was a broken, beaten down version of his former self. Is that the future of Blake Griffin?
I suppose all of that doesn't mean they'll be trading the pick, as they'll be happy to ruin a career so long as it makes them money. But, it proves that if any organization is primed to make a horrendous mistake like passing on Blake for Thabeet and cutting payroll, it's the Clippers.
Here's a scenario for ya. Let's say the Clippers approach Presti and say they'll trade the number one for Thabeet and Green, but only if the Thunder take back Zach Randolph as well. Would we do it? We'd have Blake, and he'd take over for Green at the 4 immediately. Randolph could be our scorer off the bench, but his contract would be an albatross. To be fair, it would come off the books when we have to pay Durant in a couple years, so it won't exactly kill us, but would it force us to play him more than we should? Would Presti and Brooks have the balls to bench a 17 million per year player?
@Bernard
Gani Lawal, Jeff Teauge, Wayne Ellington, Austin Daye?
Gani is good at rebounding and has potential to be a starter if he improves offensively.
Teauge might go back to school or may not fall to the 25th pick but he is a good offensive player but not so much a true point guard.
Ellington is a shooter
Daye well i don't know much bout him but he probobly won't fall this far.
I have seen so many people on different forums that suggest us taking thabeet, it is making me worried.
I will take Gortat from FA than drafting thabeet all the time.
Bernard :
can someone please educate me on who is good at #25?
I have no idea…
I think who we take at 25 has more to do with who we take at three, and who we think we can get in free agency. For example, if we take Harden at three, no need for Ellington at 25. If we take Rubio at three....then maybe you look at him. If you take Thabust at 3, you still need a shooter.
Despite their posturing, I still think we should have a shot at trading up for Griffin. If the Clippers keep him, they eat all of the 33million dollar turd-sandwich that is the remaining two years on Zach Randolph's contract. Bringing a guy off the bench 10 to 15 minutes a night for 33 million seems fairly wasteful, and while still productive, the guy is just about untradable. If we offer them Thabeet (Camby is in the last year of his contract and about to celebrate his 86th birthday), Green- who absolutely fills the most glaring vacancy (SF) on their roster, and one of our three other first round picks for this year or next, how do they not seriously consider saying yes? Failing that, I think Harden is the safest pick on the board, but like Royce and others have said, I'll defer to Presti's judgement if he says Thabeet is not going to go bust. All of these commentators that have Memphis passing on Rubio are most likely smoking crack. How is it that Memphis is being described as delighted with Coneley's production at PG/ and Sacramento is in desperate need of a replacement for Udrih (sp?) when their stat lines are remarkably similar? Regardless of how it all shakes out- Harden or Thabeet, we will snag a quality player or two via trade/free agency and be golden when November rolls around.
Sam Young, Patty Mills, Wayne Ellington are three who might be there at 25...
can someone please educate me on who is good at #25?
I have no idea...
@nix
I haven't heard anything about him. I actually didn't look past the top 3. I was just happy someone was smart enough to not have us drafting thabust.
@Dustin
They have us taking Omri Casspi...I haven't heard much talk of him but that 25 pick will definitely be intersting to watch...We don't seem to be afraid of drafting oversea and letting them develop...
Finally someone has a mock draft that makes since for the Thunder
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/05/20/mock.draft/index.html?eref=T1
@Vega
turiaf is fine, but he's always in foul trouble. but he's no more than fine. and gortat's pretty good by the way. he didn't play a lot of minutes (a little over 12 minutes/game since he's behind howard), but among people that averaged over 12 minutes/game he was 5th in the league in rebounds/48 minutes, and top 30 in blocks/48 mins (two things we really need). If he gets minutes he can definitely play.
@Bernard
If it was any other team, I would agree, but this is Nellie we're talking about. I would definitely send them the Suns pick and the Spurs pick too. We probably won't get anything good with the Spurs pick, and we don't know that the Suns are going to blow up the team this year, but even if they do, Biedrins is worth giving up the pick to get.
Off-topic, but my Durant Sonics jersey came today. Does anyone know the best way to clean a Swingman jersey?
@Vega
Biedrins probably wont be had with a package like that...
but I would do that in a second.
I wouldn't overpay for Gortat. He's basically a taller Nick Collison.
Draft Harden
Pick up Gortat
Call it a day.
I'm pretty sure that Rubio will be taken by Memphis. That leaves DeRozan or Harden, in my book.
also he was asked this:
Rick (DC): Who do you think the Thunder take? The idea of drafting Rubio to pair with Westbrook, Durant, and Jeff Green has to be very appealing...
David Thorpe: Someone told me today that they don't like the pairing because neither can shoot. But I bet Rubio ends up being a very good shooter.
Woohoo...Thorpe responded to my question:
Bryan Oklahoma: If you're the Thunder do you take Harden or DeRozen? Thabust could not compete against top tier talent.
David Thorpe: Derozen is interesting. I have not seen him enough. Can he shoot yet, or can he learn?
We don't need any big name '10 free agents. The main players we have will do just fine.
You'd have Blake, Phx's and our #1 next year (both likely lotto), plus in most liklihood at least one lottery pick out of the remaining two Clippers picks between 2011 and 2013. Keep them right money-wise. We'd be in a very good position for 2010 free agents (not that we aren't OK now), but...
The fact that it's the Clippers makes it interesting.
I'm not even going to dignify that appallingly stupid idea with a response.
This is crazy but really entertaining from Bill Simmons:
Bill Simmons: Here's what I would do if I were the Clips GM. I'd call Sam Presti (Zombie Sonics GM) and make him the following Godfather offer...
Bill Simmons: The 2009 No. 1 overall pick, our 2011 No. 1, and our 2013 No. 1 pick...
Bill Simmons: For Kevin Durant.
Bill Simmons: Think about it: The Zombie Sonics have no guarantee Durant will stay there in 3 years, he might flee for a big market. They could awap him into a hometown hero and build around Griffin, Westbrook, Rubio, Green and a boatload of picks...
@Alex
and I'm the one who made the mistake in trading him to you...
I'd trade the 3 for him and Azubieke if I could (throw in contracts or something else)...
I think I can say there is a zero percent chance of us taking Jordan Hill and not be making an outlandish claim.
Kev...just for kicks, I would LOVE to see you map Thabeet defensively in his game(s) against Blair.
I love Biedrins, although I do think some of his rebounding stats were a bit inflated due to the fact that GS plays a fast-paced game with a lot of shooters and Biedrins is really their only threat (other than Turiaf off the bench) to pull down a board.
That said, I still would love to have him...He was a beast on my fantasy basketball team.
@nick
Ronny Turiaf is pretty good interior player, but he isn't Andris Biedrins.
biedrins would be a really good pickup. he's a latvian, healthy chandler, and everybody loved that trade. and his contract is pretty good. oh, and to vega: nellie is completely nuts, he would absolutely do something crazy like trading their only quality interior player.
I think that Biedrins is easily worth Watson, Wilkins, Ibaka, and maybe a draft pick and/or the rights to Yotam Halperin. Also, I would think that a young, promising big man would be a good thing to have under a long contract.
Biedrins is solid...I heard they were shopping him last year. I wonder if expiring contracts would get him instead of the pick.
@Royce
you guys know Presti better than me - would he even take on that big contract??
@Royce
the guy used Griffin and Hill in the same sentence . . . funny . . .
@kev
Yeah, $9M per through 2014.
I like Beidrins as well - is he under contract???
For what it's worth, I really like the Biedrins idea. He's a crazy athletic rebounder who makes a living on the defensive end. What's more, he's still very young and constantly getting better on offense. He won't be a go-to scorer, but 14 and 12 will probably be his line next year. A 9 million, he's cheaper than Chandler and does all the same things.
Also, I really don't have a problem trading maybes for proven. We like Ibaka, but we really don't have any sure idea if he'll be any good over here. Even a pick is just a guess most of the time. So give me Biedrins for Ibaka and picks.
I missed this little treat from none other than Sean Deveney.
"Why Jordan Hill makes sense for OKC"
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/24424/lottery_impressions_hill_makes_sense_for_okc
@Royce
"Hey, he doesn’t hate money…"
Hey, I don't hate it either. But it sure can't stand me!
:(
;)
@Royce
agreed . . . the mocks WITH comments are much more insightful - some of those guys (seriously) probably spend five minutes or so just putting names in semi-random spots . . .
@Alex
Gottlieb's off his rocker . . .
daniel :“Rubio said one of the things people don’t know about him is that he’s VERY shy and hates being in the spotlight.”
Heh, LOL. Yeah, he used the profits from his Nike commercials to opt out of his contract in Spain (where he’s a big star already) to get into the NBA because he “hates being in the spotlight”.
Hey, he doesn't hate money...