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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NBA Draft - Top 15 picks All-Time
Desmond Mason #34 of the OKC Thunder drives to the basket during the game against the Toronto Raptors. (Photo by Larry W. Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Desmond Mason

2000 NBA Draft: Round 1, Pick 17 (Seattle)

Drafted by Seattle, Desmond Mason was a player who kept being pulled back to Oklahoma. Mason played his college ball at Oklahoma State University prior to being drafted by Seattle. Early in Mason’s career, he won the slam dunk title.

Per Game Table
Season Age Tm G GS MP FG FGA FG% 2P 2PA 2P% eFG% FT FTA FT% TRB AST STL PTS
2005-06 28 NOK 70 55 30.0 3.9 9.9 .399 3.9 9.8 .401 .399 2.9 4.3 .682 4.3 0.9 0.6 10.8
2006-07 29 NOK 75 75 34.3 5.4 12.0 .452 5.4 12.0 .452 .452 2.9 4.3 .663 4.6 1.5 0.7 13.7
2008-09 31 OKC 39 19 27.3 3.2 7.3 .435 3.2 7.2 .440 .435 1.2 2.2 .541 4.0 1.2 0.4 7.5
Career 643 385 30.5 4.6 10.2 .449 4.5 9.8 .456 .454 2.9 3.9 .740 4.5 1.6 0.7 12.1

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

The ‘paint’ master

A bit of a journeyman, Mason played in Seattle, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio.

When playing with the New Orleans it was during the time when Oklahoma City was the host for the team following Hurricane Katrina.

His third stint in OKC came with the inaugural season of the Thunder. Despite the team being a lottery squad Mason served as a leader and quality teammate helping Durant and Westbrook understand what would be required of them moving forward.

An interesting side bit is Mason is an accomplished artist who put that creative venture on hold during his decade in the NBA. So, it turns out Mason was a paint master on and off the court.

Scanning the players who were selected after Mason there was a couple of other quality picks like Jamaal Magloire or Morris Peterson. But, at the time based on the team dynamics of the Sonics Mason was absolutely the right pick.

His community efforts and role as a leader on the inaugural season in OKC land him on this list. 

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