5. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cameron Payne (No. 14) was considered "sleeper" of this draft until Billy Donovan and Co. recognized the mid-major star as a dynamic playmaker well-suited to mesh with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The Thunder had a missing piece to their puzzle. Payne was it. Dakari Johnson (No. 48) has the ability to develop into a solid NBA big man, and he's super underrated because he never fully blossomed while at Kentucky. Grade: A.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/draft/2015/06/26/nba-draft-grades-heat-nuggets-timberwolves-lakers/29308641/
Overall Grade: B+
No. 14 Overall: Cameron Payne, Murray State, 6'2", PG, Sophomore
Cameron Payne has steal-of-the-draft potential, given the only real knock on his resume is his strength of schedule at Murray State.
He put up giant numbers against mediocre competition.
However, he's a super-skilled point guard who can set the table for teammates or take over stretches as a scorer. Payne is an excellent passer and proficient ball-screen playmaker, as well as a dangerous shooter off the dribble and behind the arc.
Payne should be able to step in right away and provide some offensive firepower in Oklahoma City's backcourt. There isn't another player I would have taken at No. 14.
No. 48 Overall: Dakari Johnson, Kentucky, 7'0", C, Sophomore
Johnson's lack of offensive progression led to him falling into Round 2. He isn't a fluid post scorer or threatening shooter, but at 7'0" with a 9'4" standing reach, his physical presence alone could hold some value.
Best-case scenario: Johnson projects as a backup center who'll likely spend next season in the D-League.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2506389-2015-nba-draft-grades-full-team-by-team-report-cards/page/15
Oklahoma City Thunder
Acquisitions: Cameron Payne at No. 14, Dakari Johnson at No. 48.
Payne, a 6-2 point man from Murray State, was lusted after by several teams in the late lottery, so it was to OKC’s great fortune that he dropped all the way to the lowest lottery slot. A shifty guard who will be able to run an offense right away despite his mid-major status, Payne won’t get to dominate the ball as much as he did in college, but he will provide fine reserve play and enough mettle to push Russell Westbrook off to shooting guard in smaller lineups.
Kentucky center Dakari Johnson fell to No. 48, but he does have NBA size and sturdiness and he could make the Thunder. As a classic rebound-and-foul guy, he’s good value for this late in the draft.
Grade: A
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/grading-the-2015-nba-draft-164316844.html
14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cameron Payne, PG, Murray State
Fit: A | Opportunity: B
This is a fascinating fit for Payne, since the Thunder will be able to push Russell Westbrook off the ball. They'll have a more diverse offense that'll allow them to play with some creative lineups, since Payne is such a versatile player. Though he excels as a pick-and-roll playmaker with his ability to pull up and shoot or finish with a Mike Conley-like floater, he's equally as effective off-ball. In fact, he might even be better getting open off screens than some true shooting guards.
http://www.sbnation.com/2015/6/25/8841427/nba-draft-grades-first-round-timberwolves-mavericks-pacers-karl-towns
Grade: A-
****Click Link for Synopsis****
http://www.sportingnews.com/list/4648275-2015-nba-draft-grades-lakers-dangelo-russell-knicks-kristaps-porzingis
Oklahoma City Thunder: B
Picks: Cameron Payne (14); Dakari Johnson (48)
What can you reasonably expect from a team boasting Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka with picks in the middle of each round? Players with the chance to be solid contributors who could help put Oklahoma City over the hump, and that’s exactly what Sam Presti provided.
It’s no secret the Thunder target Payne in the pre-draft process. Playing under the radar at little Murray State, he established himself as one of the best floor generals in this class with a stellar sophomore season that saw him average 20.2 points and 6.0 assists per on solid all-court efficiency. It’s just hard to imagine a player with Payne’s physical profile and mental makeup to fail, even if it’s similarly difficult to imagine him developing into a star. But Oklahoma City could use another capable ballhandler whether Durant and Westbrook re-sign for the long-haul or otherwise, and found one here at the very least.
A seven-footer with a wide body and soft touch, Johnson was overshadowed by superior frontcourt prospects in his time at Kentucky. With Ibaka, Steven Adams, Mitch McGary, and Nick Collison all signed through 2016-17, his court-time will be fleeting. Regardless, this was another good value pick by the Thunder.
http://uproxx.com/dimemag/2015/06/2015-nba-draft-grades-every-team/
Oklahoma City Thunder
I am a huge fan of Billy Donovan but I think the Thunder blew an opportunity last night. Cameron Payne is a strong point guard prospect but needs the ball. Jerian Grant made more sense to me to play off the ball. The bigger beef is the selection of Dakari Johnson in the second round. Somewhere Scott Brooks snuck in the draft room and thought it was Kendrick Perkins. Kentucky has a great history of NBA big men. Johnson is sure to join Daniel Orton in that history.
http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/6/26/8850797/peachtree-hoops-2015-nba-draft-grades
Oklahoma City Thunder
Pure Score: 0.739
Pure Grade: B
Adjusted Grade: B
The Thunder were linked to Cameron Payne since day one, and he is exactly who the models would have taken at pick 14. Although there were higher ranked PG prospects on the board, like Tyus Jones and Delon Wright, there is an intelligent argument to be made that Cameron Payne has more raw upside. I would’ve taken Tyus Jones, but this is fine.
Dakari Johnson is excellent second round value. Like most second rounders, it’s unlikely he’ll ever amount to much, but gambling on seven footers from Kentucky is far from poor form.
http://nyloncalculus.com/2015/06/26/objective-draft-grades-for-the-2015-nba-draft/
