B/R backs “best player available” mentality for OKC Thunder

When it comes to the offseason for the OKC Thunder, the mindset has always revolved around stockpiling quality talents to aid in their rebuilding endeavors.

From free agent options that could be long-term investments to potential trade options, there are many avenues Sam Presti and co. could embark on this summer to go about bringing on quality young talents.

Perhaps the most popular course of action that fans are hoping Oklahoma City will focus the bulk of their attention on is by means of July’s NBA Draft, where they will find themselves on the board twice in the first round alone and currently hold the fourth-best odds of landing the top slot come the illustrious night.

While we at TI have discussed quite a few players the OKC Thunder should consider monitoring with their selections, ultimately the goal for this team should be for the front office to nab the best player available.

Recently, in an article by Bleacher Report, this sentiment was highlighted even more, as writer Jonathan Wasserman simply discusses how he believes talent is the team’s biggest weakness that needs to be addressed via the draft.

"The Oklahoma City Thunder won two games total in April and May. They won’t be picky this draft. Best player available is the only criteria to follow during their search.Cade Cunningham would jumpstart the rebuild and give the Thunder another interchangeable, big guard to score and play-make. A 40.0 percent shooter from three with the size to defend wings, he could play on and off the ball in Oklahoma City’s backcourt.The NBA’s worst offense could also use Jalen Green, another three-level scorer with more athletic ability than Cunningham. Mobley would give the Thunder a two-way centerpiece to build with from the 5 spot, while Jonathan Kuminga would add more power, speed and shot-making potential from the forward spots."

Wasserman would later go on to say that, should they wind up falling out of the top six on the board (which, though they have a 52.5 percent chance of landing a top-five pick, is still a possibility), talent levels and overall potential would undoubtedly drop, but the method of best player available must still prevail.

Beyond the top-five, the article would go on to mention names like Scottie Barnes, Davion Mitchell, and Keon Johnson on a long list of prospects that likely will find themselves available in such a range and who could be viewed as promising grabs based on where they wind up being selected.