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Pre-draft Primer: Five big questions for draft night:

by Royce Young on June 28, 2012 at 5:12 pm 1,347 Comments

Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty Images

Time for the draft, which means time to over-analyze everything, and assume we all know much, much better than professionals that have poured over hours of tape, pay scouts thousands and have done one-on-one interviews. So fun.

For the Thunder, that means picking 28th, which means there isn’t a whole lot of excitement involved. Oklahoma City only owns that one pick. That said, the Thunder are always contenders to buy a second rounder or two if they like a player.

It might not be all that interesting for OKC, but that’s a good thing. The further down you pick, the better your season probably was. I think that’s science or something. Here are five questions heading the draft.

1. Will the Thunder really do something crazy? And by crazy, I mean deal James Harden for the No. 2 pick and take Bradley Beal. Ever since Beal ran his mouth about that, the Thunder fanbase has been put on crisis alert for the last 24 hours. The mere thought of dealing Harden and his beard have some people locked up in bomb shelters, I think.

I don’t have anything to base this on except for what I think is a pretty good pulse of the organization, but I don’t see any way the Thunder do this. OKC is looking at a championship window that’s wide open and making a drastic move like that could potentially jeopardize it. You don’t know if Beal is a sure thing. You know James Harden is. He fits. He works. He’s really, really good.

Yes, there are questions going forward about the tax and salaries. Worry about those later, because there’s at least one more solid season ahead for this core. The Thunder have invested a whole lot into building this roster as it is now, and I can’t see any way they blow that all up for Bradley Beal.

2. Kostas, um, Kostas… Papanikolaou? According to a report, the Thunder are interested in the 6-8 Greek forward. He’s an ideal draft and stash kind of player. Two years left on his European deal, but an uncomplicated buyout and a lot of potential. He’s 21 years old, big, strong and by most accounts, pretty NBA ready. If the Thunder don’t decide to take him at No. 28, look for them to definitely potentially buy a second rounder to take him.

Also: It’s going to be fun hearing David Stern try to say his name.

3. Need or best available? When you pick 28th, you can’t necessarily get what you want. Players you had your eye on are gone and the pickings get slim. But will the Thunder target a specific need like a versatile stretch big man or a shooter, or just simply take what they feel is the best available player left out there with the most potential?

The Thunder have gone both ways on this. They took Byron Mullens on the thinking of upside, but took Reggie Jackson more based on need.

4. Big or small? I suppose this could also fall into the need or best available category, but what are the Thunder looking at here? Do they want a big man like Fab Melo to possibly open the door for Nazr Mohammed to walk and Cole Aldrich get the backup 5 spot? Do they want a stretch 4? Or do they want a shooter like John Jenkins or Will Barton?

I think the reality we all need to understand is that it’s pretty unlikely whoever OKC takes has an impact next season. But then again, it’s an opportunity to find someone that could. The Spurs have gotten a lot of mileage out of  the Danny Green’s and Matt Bonner’s of the world. That kind of guy could be sitting there for OKC to grab.

5. Trade up, down or out? Forgetting the chatter about moving all the way up into the top five, is there a chance the Thunder could try and jump 10 slots or so for a guy? Eric Maynor’s name seems to often come up in these situations because his future is complicated with the Thunder and OKC also has another young backup point man. Or flip that — Reggie Jackson could be dangled out as bait. Would Orlando bite on Jackson and the 28th pick for the 19th pick? For Maynor and the 28th?

Or the Thunder could move down from the first round entirely and just take a non-guaranteed contract in the second round. Or deal out of the draft entirely and look for future assets.

It’s not the most interesting night in terms of what the Thunder have in store, but it’s certainly worth paying attention to. Because as we’ve all learned by now, the Thunder front office could always have something up its sleeve.

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MrRaysian
MrRaysian 5pts

I just relived the Draft by reading the comments in order.

Yes, this is what i do on a friday night when i don't have enough money coz tuition fees are too damn high

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Perry has his faults but he could have easily went in the lottery. Some perspective is needed. He was taken 28 and probably should have gone at least 10 picks before that.

Lost Ones
Lost Ones 5pts

 @Jooseppi 10? if his knee wasnt missed up he should have been top 10

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Lost Ones At least 10. 

Jameswade99
Jameswade99 5pts

Did anyone else notice PJ3 didn't seem all to excited when he was picked? Was he just frustrated by falling to 28 or frustrated cuz OKC drafted him? Either way, I'd like to see a little more excitement from someone who just realized their lifelong dream. I dunno.

OBoy
OBoy 5pts

 @Jameswade99 yeah he would have been top 10 maybe top 5 if he came out last year so i'm sure he was dissapointed

Lost Ones
Lost Ones 5pts

 @Jameswade99 falling he lost a lot of money

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts

Green to GS.

Triple5
Triple5 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Sources say the heat will have to forfet the 27th pick to okc due the fouls and flopping!!

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

Id liek to pick up a pick here for Draymond

neo12
neo12 5pts

new thread guys.

http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/06/thunder-select-perry-jones-iii-with-the-28th-pick/#comments

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts

I like both of those picks for Dallas.

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

If he learns to play hard and with consistency he may prove to be a great foil for Bosh

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

http://nbadraft.net/players/perry-jones

Babassu
Babassu 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Draymond Green is falling

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts

Dallas taking Crowder next.

Jameswade99
Jameswade99 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

So would PJ3 be comparable to a taller Jeff Green? I'm trying to figure out what NBA player (past or present) he is most like.

MJOKC
MJOKC 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Jameswade99 He can rebound, he has the size to be a good defender, and can play in the post (when he wants). Jones is closer to LMA than Jeff Green.

Jameswade99
Jameswade99 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

@MisterJohnsonOKC LMA always has solid games against us (and most everyone else) so I'd be happy to watch PJIII give him a taste of his own medicine.

Lambchop
Lambchop 5pts

 @Jameswade99 Honestly, probably KD

neo12
neo12 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Jameswade99 Just hope he can be a beast on D.  Someone with his atheleticism has no excuse. Hopefully he can another guy we can throw at Lebron next year

Tequila or Failure
Tequila or Failure 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

@Jameswade99 Tim Thomas, a world of talent but no desire.

Jameswade99
Jameswade99 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

@Tequila or Failure PJ3 has no desire? That doesn't sound like a Presti player. I'm confused

The_Beard_Knows
The_Beard_Knows 5pts

 @Jameswade99  @Tequila He isn't at all a Presti player.  I think at this point Presti is hoping that the royal jelly is going to work some miracles.  People have caught on to the importance of character and it seems that now everyone is buying high on character and intangibles. (See MKG at 2).  I think talent and ceiling alone were too high to pass at this point.  No one talked about him because no one thought he would be available.  In terms of raw talent...he is at the top of the draft no question.

Tequila or Failure
Tequila or Failure 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

@Jameswade99 Doesn't to me either. Night's not over, still may be traded.

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Jameswade99 He doesn't have many physical similarities to Green and is a better ball handler.

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Somebody to play video games with Vesely.

This comment has been deleted

neo12
neo12 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SergeIblocka  Is he going to play the 3 spot?  Sizewize he's similar to Ibaka in build, but looks like a perimeter game

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts

 @neo12  @SergeIblocka  Combo forward most likely. Durant backup.

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts

Tom Penn shouldn't have spent that money for the Magic Johnson Creepy Hand Gestures Seminar.

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

RT @blazersedge: "There's not much traffic, which is a beautiful thing." -- John Henson on being taken by Milwaukee Bucks

Watson
Watson 5pts

 @Jooseppi Typical UNC prick.

diddoff
diddoff 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Jooseppi Oh. Great start

Tequila or Failure
Tequila or Failure 5pts

Dude's got no motor, Russ & KD ain't gonna like him.

S4TISF4CTION
S4TISF4CTION 5pts

 @Tequila or Failure SO NEGATIVE. 

moriarty84
moriarty84 5pts

Shocker that Cho takes Taylor.

MD4Okc
MD4Okc 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

What was all that about Bradley Beal again?

Legendary_Dork
Legendary_Dork 5pts

http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/06/thunder-select-perry-jones-iii-with-the-28th-pick/#comments

Jameswade99
Jameswade99 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Presti didn't have to be a genius during this draft. His work was done before the first pick by starting the "bad knee" rumor. Well played young man. Well played. I'm so proud to be a Thunder fan. Now let's amnesty Perk and sign Harden and Ibaka to the extensions they deserve. Starters- Westbrook Durant Ibaka Cole Sef 2nd Unit Maynor Harden Jones Collison Cook (or Jackson) We could just run teams into the ground!!!! THUNDER UP

ILikePancakes
ILikePancakes 5pts

 @Jameswade99 He started that rumor? What a fox

Jameswade99
Jameswade99 5pts

@ILikePancakes Don't know if he started it. Someone mentioned he may have and I'm running with it

Jokazc
Jokazc 5pts

ok,tell more about PJ...hes sf,pf? something like williams from twolves?

ILikePancakes
ILikePancakes 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

Our Bench:

Maynor Harden Perry Jones Collison Aldrich

Jooseppi
Jooseppi 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

I think Jones develops a motor the first time Russ screams at him in practice for not running down a loose ball.

Koka_Da_Bauce
Koka_Da_Bauce 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

LOL @ the possibility of Perry Jones living up to his potential and becoming a stud starting PF for us and Presti got him at the 28th pick.  Presti will become the most legendary GM in sports history.

ILikePancakes
ILikePancakes 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

STEAL OF THE MUHFUCKING DRAFT

whatsgoodinthehood
whatsgoodinthehood 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

It looks like Perry Jones III knee problem is correctable...

 

http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2012/06/25/nba-draft-2012-perry-jones-iii-at-his-peak/

Watson
Watson 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

Stern gets booed all night, and immediately Silver receives arousing cheers just to spite him. F**K you David Stern. You've been rigging lotteries since the '85 draft and you deserve the hate you get. Love the draft fans.

SoonerSpens
SoonerSpens 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Damn, I'm excited about PJIII. Is it basketball season yet!?

bmuelle22
bmuelle22 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

LMAO they just cheered for silver 

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