Close Article Return to stream X

NBA • 10 months ago

2015 NBA Draft: 5 Perfect First-Round Fits for Oklahoma City Thunder

+Read full article

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

2015 NBA Draft: 5 Perfect First-Round Fits for Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant Injury — The Oklahoma City Thunder barely missed out on a 2015 NBA Playoffs berth, but are likely to have both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook back next season. With Serge Ibaka and Enes Kanter set to round out four of this team’s potential starters, any rookie drafted by the Thunder will have a chance to shine, whether from a starting role or off the bench. Here are the five best first-round fits for OKC in the 2015 NBA Draft.

The Oklahoma City Thunder barely missed out on a 2015 NBA Playoffs berth, but are likely to have both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook back next season. With Serge Ibaka and Enes Kanter set to round out four of this team’s potential starters, any rookie drafted by the Thunder will have a chance to shine, whether from a starting role or off the bench. Here are the five best first-round fits for OKC in the 2015 NBA Draft.

No. 5 Devin Booker SG – Kentucky

No. 5 Devin Booker SG – Kentucky

Booker is young, meaning that he will have time to develop with a plethora of talented shooting guards on the Thunder.

No. 4 Myles Turner C – Texas

No. 4 Myles Turner C – Texas

Kanter has the center position locked in at the moment, but Turner has major upside at the next level.

No. 3 Bobby Portis PF – Arkansas

No. 3 Bobby Portis PF – Arkansas

Last season’s SEC Player of the Year, Portis does it all. He could be the perfect complement off the bench for Serge Ibaka.

No. 2 Cameron Payne PG – Murray State

No. 2 Cameron Payne PG – Murray State

Explosive, decisive and a pretty good defender, Payne could thrive in the high-octane offense of the Thunder.

No. 1 Trey Lyles PF – Kentucky

No. 1 Trey Lyles PF – Kentucky

Although he’s expected to be selected later than when Oklahoma City selects, Lyles boasts all of the things that the Thunder need in their draft pick. Potential, youth and an understanding of the game and what his role will be for a star-studded team will be key to a successful draft for OKC. Lyles boasts all three.

Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Teams in this article »
Oklahoma City Thunder

Taylor Sturm is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

Your Favorites

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 19 hours ago

Durant's New Sneakers Made By Nike Look Like Knee-High Boots

Breaking News

Kevin Durant unveiled a new prototype of sneakers designed by Nike on Thursday night and you have to see them to believe them.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 3 days ago

James Harden Decided Against Contesting Russell Westbrook's Dunk

James Harden clearly isn't worried about what people think of his defensive inefficiencies. He proved this to be the case on Tuesday night, as he inexplicably gave Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook a clear lane to the basket after he turned the ball over during this sequence. Harden's a spectacular scorer, but he will likely never give enough effort on both ends to be a Hall of Famer.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 7 days ago

Russell Westbrook Throws Down Massive Slam On 76ers

Stephen Curry is undoubtedly the most talked about point guard in the world, but Russell Westbrook might be the best all-around player at the position. This dunk is just one of a number of unbelievable plays he made against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 7 days ago

Watch Kendrick Perkins' Blatant Clothesline of Damian Lillard

Kendrick Perkins' vicious clothesline of Damian Lillard belonged in a wrestling ring, so he got a well-deserved ejection.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 1 week ago

Kevin Durant Isn't Going Anywhere This Summer

Breaking News

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant will get courted by many teams this summer, but he won't be leaving his squad in the dust just yet.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 1 week ago

Kevin Durant Will Not Land With Boston Celtics This Offseason

Breaking News

The Kevin Durant rumor mill has now added the Boston Celtics, but there's no way the top free agent this summer goes to Boston.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 2 weeks ago

5 Questions Thunder Must Answer During Stretch Run

Breaking News

The Oklahoma City Thunder have incredible talent, and during the stretch run they'll have to figure out if they can put it together to win a title.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 2 weeks ago

Thunder Need To Focus On Mental Toughness

Breaking News

The Oklahoma City Thunder have all of the offensive firepower needed to win a championship, but mentally the team is lacking.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• Videos• 2 weeks ago

Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio Devastates OKC With Game-Winning Three

Ricky Rubio, clutch.https://t.co/BsnOXkKLZe

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 12, 2016

The Oklahoma City Thunder have started to slump at the absolutely worst time as we enter the stretch run of the regular season, having lost six of their last 10 games. Russell Westbrook and Co. lost another close game on Friday night, as Minnesota's Ricky Rubio nailed a clutch three-pointer as time expired.

Comment

0 Comments

Close Article Return to stream X

NBA• 3 weeks ago

5 Players Who Won't Be On The Thunder In 2016-17 NBA Season

Breaking News

Next season the Oklahoma City Thunder will have to make a lot of tough decisions and the team may lose its face.

Comment

0 Comments