Nine days and counting to the NBA draft

This is the most anticipated NBA draft in Oklahoma history, for two reasons: 1. For the first time, a permanent Oklahoma team will take part in the draft; and 2. For the first time, an Oklahoman will be the No. 1 pick.

We have been following all the draft talk extensively, and I’m about draft-talked out. Maybe some other franchises leaks; maybe some other franchises have multiple people making the decisions. But with Oklahoma City, Sam Presti is a one-man supreme court, and he is not loose-lipped.

Which means everything is speculative. Does the Thunder covet Hasheem Thabeet? Or Ricky Rubio? Or James Hardin? Who knows? How much will the Thunder offer the Clippers for Blake Griffin? How far down will Presti be willing to trade? We’re all guessing.

But it’s kind of fun to try to make the puzzle fit together. If Memphis does this, the Thunder does that. If the Thunder does that, Sacramento does this. And so on.

The truth is, no one knows, because the real decision-making will occur even after the draft begins. Trades are not likely before the draft. They will be spurred on by the deadline of draft night and the knowledge, finally, of what the upper-selecting teams do.

So my best guess:

1. Clippers take Griffin and rebuff trade offers.