NBA Draft Night in Oklahoma City

Sam Presti—I hope you have your game face on because this is an extremely important night for the future of NBA basketball in Oklahoma City.

This is where you either have a really good night or the concept of sustainability takes a hit in a market where the margin for error is very thin.

You guys screwed around and won those games against Boston and the LA Clippers in the last 25 games of the tank and that’s regrettable, but this is where you earn your ownership equity in the Thunder.

OKC is at 6, 16, and 18 in the first round with three picks in the second round. I’m sure like me you realize the Big 12 while unraveling as a football league became the best basketball conference in the country these past three seasons.

In our very backyard Texas high school basketball has become something very special.

My top six picks are 1 Cade Cunningham, 2 Evan Mobley, 3 Jalen Suggs, 4 Jalen Green, 5 Davion Mitchell, and 6 James Bouknight. I have Cory Kispert at either 10 or 11. Let’s keep that in mind

Giannis was the 15th pick in his class. Khris Middleton was the 41st player in his draft and Jrue was a non-lottery pick as well. My point? Value for teams building to be contenders doesn’t have to come from the lottery picks exclusively.

I would assume we’re keeping Shai who was the 11th player taken in his class.

I don’t think Troy Weaver is in any way parting with Cade so I see that as not on the table. But I think everything else is on the table including Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs who would both be great fits with Shai.

Let’s see if we could intimidate either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic while they’re on the clock. Never give a sucker an even break and kick him when he’s down. Just saying.

‘We’ need a contemporary NBA center. Evan Mobley could be special. I’m assuming you’re with me on that. If you can’t get him then maybe you tilt the table to get Jalen Suggs to be the running mate with Shai and Lu in the OKC backcourt. If it takes too much to get Jalen Suggs then go with the kid from UConn James Bouknight… I’m actually fine with his game.

‘We’ need the next Duncan Robinson. I would see that as possibly Cory Kispert from Gonzaga who probably won’t go til the 10th or 11th pick. I’d see if I could bundle 16 and 18 and go get get him. With Muscala heading out we need the next Duncan Robinson.

I’d use one of our second round picks to acquire sleeper big Jericho Sims from Texas. I’m sure you have several foreign players in mind…we’ll see how that goes. Another big who could shoot would be nice. Hopefully, the Serbian Express has gained some weight this summer.

If you have to deal Ty Jerome at some point in the night then I’d fill his spot with Austin Reaves with a second round pick. I wonder how little it would take to acquire Tyler Herro given how his season ended? Buy low, sell high. Let’s buy Tyler Herro low if we can. I would think Tyler Herro would be in a very motivated state of mind just about now. Can we imagine Tyler Herro and Austin Reaves on the same NBA roster? If nothing else we’d have the All NBA White Boy Smirk Team.

Sam Presti…I’m ready to go. I hope you’re ready to go as well. This is a very big night for the future of NBA hoops in Oklahoma City.

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