Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Top 15 NBA Draft picks in OKC Thunder franchise history

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 6: Oklahoma City Thunder players, from left, Kendrick Perkins #5, Kevin Durant #35, Serge Ibaka #9 and Russell Westbrook #0 celebrate with the Western Conference Finals Champions trophy following their team's victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on June 6, 2012 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 6: Oklahoma City Thunder players, from left, Kendrick Perkins #5, Kevin Durant #35, Serge Ibaka #9 and Russell Westbrook #0 celebrate with the Western Conference Finals Champions trophy following their team's victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on June 6, 2012 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Former OKC Thunder forward NBA Draft
Former OKC Thunder forward NBA Draft /

Domantas Sabonis – the gift that gave:

2016 NBA Draft: Round 1, Pick 11

No doubt the initial entrant on this list of 15 will be considered a controversial selection. Logic would dictate choosing a player currently on the Thunder with potential upside. Instead, the player who grabs the opening spot is Domantas Sabonis.

The son of the uber-talented Arvydas Sabonis was technically drafted by Orlando. Yet, the power forward’s stay with the Magic wasn’t even long enough for a quick trip to Disney World.  He became part of the trade package (with Victor Oladipo) which sent Serge Ibaka to the Magic.

In his rookie season with OKC Sabonis started in 66 games and played in 81 of the full season of 82. Sabonis posted meager stats with Billy Donovan electing to utilize him as a stretch four failing to capitalize on his interior prowess.

Per Game Table
Season Age Tm G GS MP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% 2P% eFG% FT% ORB DRB TRB AST BLK PTS
2016-17 20 OKC 81 66 20.1 2.4 5.9 .399 0.6 2.0 .321 .438 .452 .657 0.6 3.0 3.6 1.0 0.4 5.9
2017-18 21 IND 74 19 24.5 4.6 8.9 .514 0.2 0.5 .351 .524 .524 .750 2.2 5.5 7.7 2.0 0.4 11.6
Career 155 85 22.2 3.4 7.4 .466 0.4 1.3 .327 .495 .494 .729 1.4 4.2 5.5 1.5 0.4 8.6

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/18/2018.

Trade Value:

But, this meager showing in Sabonis’ rookie season is not why he makes the list. Rather, it was his trade value and more specifically what the return was. Granted, Oladipo became the primary asset in the trade with the Pacers.

Still, Sabonis made major leaps this season doubling almost all his primary categories in Indiana. Indiana moved him to the center position where he thrived and became part of the Pacers’ future core.

Yet, the primary reason Sabonis makes the list is Paul George. Should PG re-sign this offseason then Sabonis warrants arguably an even higher position on this list.

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