30 Teams, 30 Days: Seattle Draft Preview (24th)

RealGM Analysis

Jun 19, 2008 3:10 PM

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 an 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 each 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 24 Recently?

The 24th pick has produced some quality guards in the league in the past four years. Delonte West is starting in Cleveland, Luther Head has made a huge impact in Houston, Kyle Lowry has been a sparkplug for Memphis, and Euro ultra-talent Rudy Fernandez is headed over to the states this year with high expectations for the Blazers.

2007
Rudy Fernandez, Phoenix Suns (traded to Portland)

2006
Kyle Lowry, Memphis Grizzlies

2005

Luther Head, Houston Rockets

2004
Delonte West, Boston Celtics

2003
Brian Cook, Los Angeles Lakers

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.

Serge Ibaka of Congo

With the Sonics expected to take a lead guard with their first pick at number 4 overall, they have to use this pick on a big fella. Also, Sam Presti might take a page out of his mentor in San Antonio?s book and go international with this late first round pick. Ibaka has the potential to be a high flying monster. He is young and agile, and many believe he can be the next coming of Shawn Kemp ? what better team to pick him up than the Sonics? However, they also possess the 32nd overall pick, but will Presti gamble that this talented big will still be on the board early in the second round?

Roy Hibbert of Georgetown

Hibbert would be ideal for the Sonics. He has the size of a beast and the polished post game of a seasoned veteran. He would be able to start immediately for the Sonics and allow Chris Wilcox to remain locked in his natural power forward spot, creating a very potent and powerful tandem down low.

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

Whom do you want the Sonics to draft at number 24? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.

Tags: NBA

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