Options aplenty for Sonics: Several players could be worth taking with No. 4 pick
Options aplenty for Sonics: Several players could be worth taking with No. 4 pick
Comments 
14
By Darnell Mayberry
Published: May 26, 2008
We can all wake up from our dreams of a Kevin Durant-Derrick Rose tandem since the Seattle SuperSonics fell the furthest of any lottery team last week and landed in the No. 4 spot in next month's NBA Draft.
Advertisement
Scenario 1
•Pick at No. 4: Jerryd Bayless, Arizona, point guard.
•Pick at No. 24: Robin Lopez, Stanford, center.
•Why it could happen: Bayless is the closest thing to the dominant point guard the Sonics need. They could realistically use a top pick to grab him. Lopez, as a defensive-oriented player who averaged nearly 2½ blocks in each of his two college seasons, also fills a pressing need.
•Why it couldn't happen: Too many questions about whether Bayless, a scorer-first, can set up his teammates and make them better. Not to mention that somewhere in GM Sam Presti's job description has to be a clause ordering him not to draft anymore 7-footers who have the potential to be stiffs.
Scenario 2
•Pick at No. 4: O.J. Mayo, USC, point guard/shooting guard.
•Pick at No. 24: Mario Chalmers, Kansas, point guard.
•Why it could happen: Mayo might be the third best prospect behind Rose and Beasley and likely is the next most likely prospect to become a star. Mayo is a high risk-high reward type of pick, and the Sonics could look great if they take a flier on him and he pans out. Chalmers, on the other hand, is a gritty guard who is an excellent defender and solid set-up man, the type of player coaches love and who would fit well on any team.
•Why it couldn't happen: Presti is all about character and a team-first approach stemming from his days with San Antonio. So he could shy away from a player like Mayo, who has been the center of attention since middle school and recently made headlines off the court for allegedly accepting money and gifts while in high school. A more basic reason could be Minnesota takes Mayo at No. 3.
Scenario 3
•Pick at No. 4: Brook Lopez, Stanford, center.
•Pick at No. 24: Ty Lawson, North Carolina, point guard.
•Why it could happen: None of the Sonics' recently-drafted centers have panned out, leaving the starting position up for grabs. And Lopez, an athletic 7-footer who is only 20, is more than a one-trick pony. He can score, rebound and defend. Lawson is a player who had a lot of publicity coming out of high school and is amazing in the open court. He could fit the Sonics' up-tempo style.
•Why it couldn't happen: Lopez is the smart pick for Minnesota at No. 3, meaning he likely won't be available. Even if he is available, the Sonics have to ask themselves if Lopez can have more of an impact now and in the future than some of the other players expected to be on the board. Lawson, while incredibly athletic, is a tiny point guard who figures to have all sorts of problems at the next level because of his height.
Scenario 4
•Pick at No. 4: Eric Gordon, Indiana, shooting guard.
•Pick at No. 24: Roy Hibbert, Georgetown, center.
•Why it could happen: Gordon is one of the best shooters in the draft and could be the second best all-around scorer after Beasley. He could fit at shooting guard when the Sonics are ready to move Durant to small forward. Hibbert, meanwhile, was a potential lottery pick before returning for his senior season, and the Sonics sorely need his shot-blocking and rebounding skills.
•Why it couldn't happen: Four might be too high for Gordon, who is projected to go anywhere from seventh to 12t{+h}. And despite this scenario landing the Sonics a top flight scorer and defensive presence, it does nothing about the team's current point guard quandary.
Scenario 5
•Pick at No. 4: Trade down into the low lottery, 10-14, and select Texas point guard D.J. Augustin.
•Pick at No. 24: Brandon Rush, Kansas, shooting guard.
•Why it will happen: The Sonics could be looking for more of a pure point guard than Bayless, and who better to bring in than Durant's former Longhorns running mate? Besides, Durant will be eligible for free agency soon, so it might be worth it to keep him happy. Rush is a top 10 talent who is versatile and has excellent size. He could be a sleeper pick who might develop into a sidekick for Durant.
•Why it won't happen: Pulling off any trade is difficult, and there is always more conjecture than legitimacy around this time. While it's not far-fetched to think the Sonics will be active in trading because of the team's stockpile of draft picks this year, finding a deal that makes sense is easier said than done.
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).
Likely not. I'll bet you didn't even know this rag of a newspaper is owned by Clay Bennett's wife, did you? Gee, and we wonder why it's so biased and is reporting as if the Sonics are already playing in OKC.
Let's be honest: OKC deserves an NBA franchise. It's people and city legislature have done everything right. Should it be the Sonics? Not based on the way Bennett has handled this. It's clear he misrepresented his ownership group. To support him is to be completely naive and largely ignorant.
"Bennett to Sonics players: 'Boo hoo'
E-mails reveal his reaction to news that some were upset about leaving Seattle"
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/364678_arena27.html?source=mypi