The 2015 NBA Draft is just under three weeks away, which means it’s time to separate the fiction from the fact when it comes to the Oklahoma City Thunder's #14 pick. Here’s our list of 3 Thunder NBA Draft Rumors You Need To Know.
Rumor: OKC promised to draft Murray State PG Cameron Payne
Oklahoma City has promised to draft players in previous years - Reggie Jackson (2011) and Josh Huestis (2014) - and there are rumors that they've promised to draft versatile Murray State point guard Cameron Payne in the first round, according to ESPN's Chad Ford:
As for the Thunder, since late last week there’s been a lot of buzz among rival GMs that the Thunder promised Cameron Payne they’d take him at 14. I don’t know how much of that is smoke, but he is a great fit at 14 and talent wise he may be the best pure point guard in the draft.
Sam Dekker A Draft Target For Oklahoma City?
If they don't go with Payne, the Thunder need to find scoring help for their frontcourt this offseason, and they could look to Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker in the 2015 NBA Draft to provide just that.
Here’s FOX Sports Southwest’s Andrew Gilman with his thoughts on why Dekker could be a first-round fit for OKC:
There were a large faction of people who hated the fact Andre Roberson couldn’t score and Kyle Singler seemed lost offensively. Both were starters for the Thunder this season. Both were extremely limited offensively.
Those people who were frustrated by Roberson and Singler would like the idea of Dekker, the 6-foot-7 Wisconsin swingman. Dekker is lanky like the two, but has a huge, offensive upside. The only question would be if his offense is good enough to overcome his defense which certainly isn’t as good as Roberson’s.
Dekker could even play either forward position for the Thunder, but what he does best is move without the ball and play unselfish â which will be key for anyone coming in. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, even Serge Ibaka, command so much of the offense, it’s imperative to bring in a player who doesn’t need to get “his.” Dekker spent three years in a college, he’s going to be a bit older, a bit more experienced and is certainly team-oriented after playing at Wisconsin. He also has that “NBA Body” teams love.
R.J. Hunter a legitimate target?
Oklahoma City brought in Georgia State sharpshooter R.J. Hunter for a workout on June 1, showing the Thunder have at least some interest in the NCAA Tournament star. Hunter is expected to go late in the first round or early in the second round, but OKC has shown the need for more outside shooting.
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