JA MORANT HIGHLIGHTS (15 PTS 12 AST 11 REB) vs OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER – YouTube
I actually watched this game last night as the OU-Texas game has been put on hold because of the weather conditions in Oklahoma and Texas.
Ja Morant is a player I’d pay to see in person this season if fans were allowed inside Chesapeake Energy Arena. Plus, his Memphis team is about one to two years ahead of the Thunder in their rebuild process.
So I watched this game with some real interest evaluating the Thunder and what they need to do in this summer’s draft to make their team at least viable enough to contend for a number 8-10 seed next season.
Morant has a different gear than Shai and he’s exactly the kind of point guard a GM would want to build his team around. Shai is a solid hybrid guard—but I’m not sure he’s one which gets the Thunder past the first round at any point in the rebuild near future.
I would take Cade if the opportunity is there for Sam Presti. I’d put him alongside Shai and Dort in a three guard offense. I’d do with them what Brooks did with Harden and Westbrook in 2012. I’d put Roby at the four and either draft or trade for a physical center who can run, rebound, and protect the rim. I’m not sure I’d take Evan Mobley because his body needs an overhaul. No more Serbian projects.
Theo Maledon would be my Sixth Man. If still around Mikey Muscala would be my seventh man. Muscala has been excellent this season…btw. Darius Bazely would not start for me, but he would be my third guy off the bench for his offense.
I’m leaving my ninth and tenth spots open for the time being. I’d keep Kenrich as my eleventh guy because he’s the perfect 11th guy role-wise and personality-wise. There will nights when he doesn’t get off the bench.
If Presti can’t get Cade then I’d opt first for Johnathon Kuminga or Jalen Green because you can’t waste this pick on someone who can’t score the ball….not only for competitive reasons, but because the Thunder are going to need an exciting player to help sell tickets this coming summer for next season.
My take is the OKC Thunder fans will support the team, but not if Presti pisses away another first round pick as it appears he might have done with Operation Poku.
Pray for Poku to rehab his shot.