2015 NBA Draft
Karl-Anthony Towns aka KAT was the number one overall pick and he has lived up to that title. The Thunder’s picks, on the other hand, did not hit the jackpot the same way Minnesota did with KAT.
OKC Thunder selections
- Cameron Payne, 14th overall
- Dakari Johnson, 18th in the second-round, 48th overall
The 2015 draft was not nearly as detrimental as the 2014 draft. However, 2015 will not go down as a gold star for Oklahoma City’s draft record.
Notable picks selected after OKC
- Kelly Oubre, 15th overall
- Terry Rozier, 16th overall
- Jerian Grant, 19th overall
- Bobby Portis, 22nd overall
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, 23rd overall
- Larry Nance Jr, 27th overall
- Kevon Looney, 30th overall
- Montrezl Harrell, 2nd second-round, 32nd overall
Among the players, the Thunder passed on Rozier definitely stings the most. Rozier led the Boston Celtics to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in the absence of all-star guard Kyrie Irving. Raymond Felton was a tremendous back-up to Westbrook this past season, though it’s hard not to ponder what could have been with a backcourt of Westbrook and Rozier.
Grant may be the most telling of the group due to the fact he was playing ahead of Payne this past season on the tanking Bulls. This occurred thanks in part to Payne’s repeated foot injuries. Yet, the two Bulls guards stat lines mirrored one another when they were on the court.
Moreover, Montrezl Harrell without a doubt could have helped OKC. Harrell has played for the Clippers and Rockets productively in his time with both franchises.
The 2015 draft will not be remembered as a crowning achievement for the OKC Thunder, and as demonstrated in 2014 things can always be worse.