RealGM Analysis
2007-2008 Finish: 20-62
2008 Draft Picks: 4th, 24th, 32nd, 43rd, 50th
Pre-Draft 2008-09 Projected Starters:
PG Earl Watson
SG Kevin Durant
SF Jeff Green
PF Chris Wilcox
C Johan Petro
Key Reserves:
PG Luke Ridnour
PF Nick Collison
SF Mickael Gelabale
What the Sonics Do Well:
The Supersonics used last year?s NBA Draft to reconstruct their roster. They shed Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis and ended up with 2 of the top 5 picks in the Draft. After making a few more trades, the Sonics have a full slate of Draft picks in the upcoming Draft. They have 3 picks in the top 32 and 5 in the top 50.
They have the reigning Rookie of the Year, Kevin Durant, who has now become the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future. Durant was heralded as one of the greatest college players to come into the league, and had a very impressive rookie season, averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and nearly a block and a steal per game. His big game ability surfaced as he hit multiple buzzer-beating game winners throughout the season.
To his side is fellow 2007 Draft Class buddy, Jeff Green. The talented small forward from Georgetown also had a fairly impressive rookie season, averaging 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. However, Green eased his way into the rotation and was producing a healthy 15.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game over the final month of the season.
The power in the paint is supplied by Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison. Wilcox and Collison provided steady play while healthy and combined to average 23.2 points and 16.4 rebounds per game. The Sonics have been platooning Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour at the point, but the combo doesn?t seem like suitable long-term options in Seattle or Oklahoma City.
Greatest Areas of Improvement:
Upgrade at Point Guard
As mentioned earlier, the Watson/Ridnour two-headed dragon seems to have run its course. Both point guards are mediocre at best and both have very similar contracts. They are both on the books at around $6M per season for the next two seasons, which are very tradable assets in today?s NBA. However, with the recent youth movement, neither of them is likely to last past their current deals.
A Center Who Actually Eats Food
From 2004-2006, the Sonics seemingly reached for picks by taking 7-foot project centers that all weighed under 250 lbs. Robert Swift, Johan Petro, and Mouhamed Sene. All 7-feet tall, all softer than a panda?s belly. Of the three, Petro is the only one who played more than 13 games last season, and the 7-foot Frenchman only managed 6.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.58 blocked shots per game. When the Sonics go small, they can manage with Wilcox or Collison at the center spot, but putting in a true five would be ideal for the team.
Who?s Gone Number 4 Recently?
Three of the last four number 4 picks have been point guards, with the only exception being Tyrus Thomas. Chris Paul is proving to be one of the best point guards in the league, Mike Conley had an effective rookie season, and Shaun Livingston was playing well before his career-threatening injury. Chris Bosh is one of the top power forwards in the NBA and Tyrus Thomas is still waiting for the right coach to get the best out of him.
2007
Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
2006
Tyrus Thomas, Portland Trail Blazers (traded to Chicago)
2005
Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
2004
Shaun Livingston, Los Angeles Clippers
2003
Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
Who Should the Sonics Target?
For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Sonics should target in this year?s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina?s Prospect Report piece.
Bayless fits the mold of a potential poor man?s Gilbert Arenas ? exciting, strong, scoring point guard with the Arizona pedigree. Bayless would immediately come into Seattle and take the reins of the team from Watson/Ridnour. A backcourt of Bayless and Durant would have fans salivating as they would have two guards capable of lighting up the scoreboard and delivering in the clutch. This pick would solidify the one, two, and three positions for the next decade for the Sonics.
Brook Lopez would immediately start for the Sonics next to Wilcox in the paint. His strong 7-0 260 lbs frame would be a welcome addition to the lineup and would give them a proven scorer down low, who isn?t afraid to get nasty on the boards. He is the most legit NBA-ready center in this year?s Draft.
This spot might seem like a bit of a reach for DeAndre Jordan, not for being the fourth overall selection, but that the Sonics would take another flier on a big man when a proven talent like Lopez might still be available. Jordan has unlimited potential and the size and athleticism that allow for comparisons to Dwight Howard. However, he is still extremely raw and the Sonics have already proven that they are incapable of developing big man projects.
Who Do the Fans Want?
According to Andrew Perna?s Seattle Lottery Summit, an interactive column featuring the responses of true RealGM hoops fans hoping to add their two cents to the Sonics Draft discussion, the fans of Seattle have made it known that they would an upgrade at the point guard position. While the consensus of the Seattle fans were hoping to land Derrick Rose of Memphis with a top-2 pick, he will be unavailable when the Sonics are on the clock in New York. Therefore, the only other point guard that the fans recommended in this summit:
Russell Westbrook, PG ? UCLA
Picks Over the Past Five Years
We?ve already discussed the ?questionable? selection of their centers in the past couple of years, but look at how much better they would have been had they kept the two second rounders they selected last year. Carl Landry and Glen Davis proved to be very serviceable big men in the league last year, but unfortunately Seattle was unable to keep either of them in the green and yellow.
2007
Kevin Durant, 2nd
Carl Landry, 31st (traded to Houston)
Glen Davis, 35th (traded to Boston)
2006
Mouhamed Sene, 10th
Denham Brown, 40th
Yotam Halperin, 53rd
2005
Johan Petro, 25th
Mickael Gelabale, 48th
Lawrence Roberts, 55th
2004
Robert Swift, 12th
Andre Emmett, 35th
David Young, 41st
2003
Nick Collison, 12th
Luke Ridnour, 14th
Willie Green, 41st
Previous Editions of the 30 Teams, 30 Days Series
30 Teams, 30 Days: Chicago Draft Preview
30 Teams, 30 Days: Minnesota Draft Preview
30 Teams, 30 Days: Miami Draft Preview
Who do you want the Sonics to draft at number 4? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.