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Who?

I'm not a fan of the pick, as I said in the draft discussion thread, in fact I'm not a fan of the entire draft, but these are our guys now and I'm sure we at least got a couple of good guys that are hard workers. Welcome to the franchise and I hope I'm proven wrong.

These are guys that fit the program. McGary can finish down low. Something that was needed! Read up on Huestis, the kid can defend. He shot 34% from 3 the past two years scoring over 10 points a game (190 career blocks). Very good rebounder. I like the pick. Seems like the Thunder thought he had more upside than KJ McDaniels.

Balkman32 wrote:These are guys that fit the program. McGary can finish down low. Something that was needed! Read up on Huestis, the kid can defend. He shot 34% from 3 the past two years scoring over 10 points a game (190 career blocks). Very good rebounder. I like the pick. Seems like the Thunder thought he had more upside than KJ McDaniels.

Looks like he is a step above Roberson with a shot that he can hopefully improve


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I posted this video over on the main draft thread. He actually has a pretty good looking release. If he continues to develop his shooting touch, he could turn out to be a solid 3&D guy, which is all I really wanted from this draft. I definitely think there were more polished options available but I'll get over it quickly if he pans out.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IrfXOEHZcw[/youtube]

Presti called him one of the best athletes to ever walk through our gym...

Grolgar wrote:Presti called him one of the best athletes to ever walk through our gym...

Westbrook - Huestis - Jones - Ibaka - Adams

NBA All Athletic team.

Could it be that Robersons shot is so broken they will be looking to move him? Feels like it could be part of a coming move.

I don't think that is the case. Roberson is a 2 now and Huestis is the 3. But, when you hear that Melo might end up in Houston now we have three guys in PJ3, Roberson, and Huestis that can defend.

Roberson isn't going anywhere. He's only on the books for $770K and I can't see Presti giving up on a player after one year. Especially when it was known they were a project. If he doesn't show improvement in his shooting this year he might not be back for a 3rd though. Roberson and Huestis are attempts to replace Thabo with a similar player. If either of them can figure out how to make NBA 3s at a decent, 37ish% rate, they will be an acceptable replacement assuming their defense lives up to the hype.

I'm not a big fan of what appears to be happening, but I do understand it. Presti has this idea of what he wants from each position and he is just trying to replace the parts. Some would prefer a difference skill set than just a D and 3 (kinda) guy at SG or a rim protector as the backup PF instead of a Collison type, but those are the guys Presti is trying to replace and those are the types of players he wants to continue to go with.

this kid is better than roberson. i think he's a better prospect than mcdaniels too because of his better size and frame. he re-worked his shot and now his form is picturesque.
i had him as a 2nd round steal in the late 30s to early 40s. maybe the thunder tried to move back but they couldn't. in any case, i don't think it's a bad pick. a tad bit high, but nothing too egregious imo. i think the thunder got a rotation player here and that's pretty much all you can ask for. contending teams don't really have time for multiple projects.

I rather take a guy a tad bit high then loose him to another team. Good Pick

One thought I had on the moving back thing that I haven't heard mentioned before... While some teams like the flexibility that a 2nd round pick gives you (no locked in rookie scale contract), it is possible that the Thunder specifically want guys (or at least Josh in this case) on that long up to 4 year deal at around 1 mil. If they really feel like a guy could (but won't certainly) be a good rotation piece or on the upside a replacement at the 2 for Thabo, then it's almost smarter for them to not trade down and pick up additional assets, but draft them with a late 1st and lock them into a 4 year contract with team options after years 2 and 3.

wizkid27 wrote:One thought I had on the moving back thing that I haven't heard mentioned before... While some teams like the flexibility that a 2nd round pick gives you (no locked in rookie scale contract), it is possible that the Thunder specifically want guys (or at least Josh in this case) on that long up to 4 year deal at around 1 mil. If they really feel like a guy could (but won't certainly) be a good rotation piece or on the upside a replacement at the 2 for Thabo, then it's almost smarter for them to not trade down and pick up additional assets, but draft them with a late 1st and lock them into a 4 year contract with team options after years 2 and 3.

If I'm not mistaken, there isn't any restrictions on 2nd round picks contracts are there? Isn't that how Chandler Parsons ended up on a three year deal?

Edit: Parsons was actually on a 4 year deal.

wizkid27 wrote:One thought I had on the moving back thing that I haven't heard mentioned before... While some teams like the flexibility that a 2nd round pick gives you (no locked in rookie scale contract), it is possible that the Thunder specifically want guys (or at least Josh in this case) on that long up to 4 year deal at around 1 mil. If they really feel like a guy could (but won't certainly) be a good rotation piece or on the upside a replacement at the 2 for Thabo, then it's almost smarter for them to not trade down and pick up additional assets, but draft them with a late 1st and lock them into a 4 year contract with team options after years 2 and 3.

Great point. He will sign a deal like Roberson did last year.

Nice to see another Montanan in the NBA. I think you guys made a good pick, he is a great Thabo replacement.