Thursday, June 25th 2015, 6:57 pm
The NBA Draft is less than an hour away and the Thunder own the No. 14 pick thanks to an injury-riddled nightmare of a season. Every day until Draft day, we've counted down the top 18 prospects that the Thunder should target. We analyzed two players a day and we've reached the finale.
It is important to note that only realistic players will be included in this list. Therefore, you won't be reading about Jahlil Okafor or Justise Winslow or Kristaps Porzingis because there's no way those guys slip down to 14.
To read about prospects 18-3, click the links below. Now that you know the rules, let's get started.
18-17: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Rashad Vaughn
16-15: R.J. Hunter, Delon Wright
14-13: Trey Lyles, Myles Turner
12-11: Kevon Looney, Sam Dekker
10-9: Montrezl Harrell, Tyus Jones
8-7: Kelly Oubre Jr., Jerian Grant
6-5: Stanley Johnson, Justin Anderson
4-3: Bobby Portis, Frank Kaminsky
2. Cameron Payne – PG – Murray State
Strengths
Payne has ideal size for an NBA point at 6-foot-1 with a 6-foot-7 wingspan. The 20-year-old scored 20 points per game on 45 percent shooting last season for the Racers. He also shot 37 percent from deep and put together a near 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He's smooth, skilled, unselfish and talented.
Weaknesses
Payne is a smooth operator but lacks explosiveness. At 180 pounds, he also lacks muscle. The latter can be remedied. The former, well, he might not need it.
NBA player comparison
Ish Smith (with a better shot), Jeff Teague, Luke Ridnour
How he'd fit the Thunder
Payne would, or should, make the roster from day one. He's young as has a lot to learn, but there's serious talent here. After a year or so, Payne could end up as Westbrook's full-time backup. Or, if Westbrook leaves…OK I'll stop.
1. Devin Booker – SG – Kentucky
Strengths
Booker, 18, is the youngest player in the draft. He also looks 14, for what that's worth. But NBA teams love youngsters, especially youngsters who can shoot, and Booker can do just that. Many scouts consider him the purest shooter in the draft and his form backs that up. It's a Ray Allen-like thing of beauty. He used it to shoot 41 percent from deep and 83 percent from the line last season at UK. At 6-foot-6, he has nice size for the two spot and plays with a good head on his shoulders. High-IQ shooters tend to do well in the NBA.
Weaknesses
He's not the most athletic guy, which has some teams questioning whether he'll be able to create his own offense at the next level. It also has some questioning his defensive ability. Other than that, Booker is pretty much a sure thing.
NBA player comparison
Kyle Korver, Klay Thompson, Brad Beal
How he'd fit the Thunder
At just 18, Booker will have a lot to pick up, and quickly. But eventually, either this year or next, he'd join the rotation as a knockdown shooter. Even if Booker never becomes a star, there's little chance he busts.
Be sure to stick with news9.com all night for full Thunder draft coverage.
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