3 emerging trends OKC Thunder must heed when selecting NBA Draft picks

Depth more important than superteams?

Scan the teams experiencing the greatest success this postseason versus the teams who didn’t. Key favorites to win the title are ‘Gone Fishing‘ including the two super teams the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.

In fairness, the duo killer of injuries and bad luck hit both squads but it also highlighted what happens when a franchise elects to spend the majority of their salary on two or three players. The drop-off in skillset from the ‘others’ is significant. Perhaps more importantly, these role-players simply aren’t used to having to do as much more often. In the regular season, the drop-off isn’t as glaring but in the playoffs, it’s easier to expose.

That’s why teams like the Suns and Hawks have been so successful. Even without Chris Paul in the lineup, the Suns continued to demonstrate how ‘team ball’ and equal opportunity offense can succeed.  Case in point through 13 games all five starters plus Cameron Payne (the other former OKC Thunder point guard) are averaging double-figure scoring.

Phoenix has feasted partially because opponents aren’t simply tasked with stopping Devin Booker. Rather, the Lakers, Nuggets, and Clippers all quickly realized how the Suns share and move the ball for the best shot.

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Similarly, the Hawks boast five players who’ve averaged double-digit playoff scoring through 14 games and Capela (9.9 points) almost making it six. In addition, prior to his injury DeAndre Hunter (11.0) was in the mix, and in his first playoff appearance, Cam Reddish (10.8) joined the group.

The trick for Sam Presti and the OKC Thunder will be determining if this trio of trends is here to stay or will be short-lived. Perhaps his greatest challenge will be forecasting how strategy and positions will change in the immediate future.

Banking on positionless ball makes logical sense because it offers so much versatility. Moreover, of the three trends depth is by far the most important since having one rim-protecting, glass crashing big is an easy add, as is the smallish speedster guard with a well-developed floater.

Granted, the OKC Thunder will be laser-focused on adding generational talents for the future core, but make no mistake having depth and versatility is equally important.