Thunderous Intentions
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Hit or miss, OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti has lost his NBA draft selection prowess

By Alex Mcewen

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 25: Cameron Payne meets with Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 14th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 25: Cameron Payne meets with Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 14th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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2017 NBA Draft

The 2016 NBA draft had everything; trades, busts, and surprises. The Boston Celtics dealt the number one overall pick to the Sixers who drafted Markelle Fultz, who was underwhelming in his rookie season. Whereas, Donovan Mitchell and Kyle Kuzma were by far the biggest surprises of the draft.

OKC Thunder selection

Notable selections after Oklahoma City

  • OG Anunoby, 23rd overall
  • Kyle Kuzma, 27th overall

More from Thunderous Intentions

Evaluations for the 2017 NBA Draft are still in flux because one year is not nearly enough time to determine what the player’s true value or ceiling will be. It’s still unknown how big of an impact Ferguson will have on the Thunder.

29 rookies scored more points than T-Ferg during the 2017-18 season and 14 of those rookies were drafted after Ferguson. Furthermore, seven of the 28 rookies played fewer minutes than T-Ferg.

In conclusion, the OKC Thunder set the standard so high when it comes to the draft their recent selections have fallen beyond flat.

In all likelihood the Thunder will never luck into drafting early enough to capture three MVP’s in consecutive years again, let alone at all. But, the Thunder must do better than selecting players who fall out of the league once their rookie scale deals run out.

Next: Top 15 NBA Draft picks in OKC Thunder franchise history

Hopefully, the Thunder can put an end to their recent draft misfortune tonight. Stay with Thunderous Intentions as we will have full coverage of the 2018 NBA Draft.

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