1. Thabo Sefolosha

Blazer fan here, and been meaning to post for awhile. I adore what the Thunder have done. Great to see a GM with a vision, and enough of an eye for talent to see that through. But having seen OKC 5-6 times this year (and admittedly 4 were against the Blazers), I wanted to offer my two cents on this team, which I think has the best future of any non-playoff team.

First, if at all possible, I really think you should ship Jeff Green and your lottery pick for the number 1 pick the draft. The single biggest issue is rebounding for this team and BG would solve your single biggest weakness.

I went to Gtown, so I love Jeff, but I really thought he would be more of a banger in the league than he has been or appears willing to be. I thought he could be AC Green/Buck Williams; instead he plays more like Glen Robinson without the ability to drive. Plus, he tends to overlap his skill set too much with Durant, meaning getting him more touches would come the expense of Durant, which given Durant’s efficiency, would be counter-productive. I really think you need to turn Green into a banger in this Draft. Jordan Hill, who might be available if you end up in natural draft spot (i.e. 4th or 5th), could work as well.

On Durant, I would trade the current Oden for him a heartbeat. Pre-knee injury oden, probably not. I think Durant’s floor is Alex English. He will be a perennial All-Star and I see his career being very similar to Dirk. Still needs to play D, but he is committed to constantly improving (unlike Mike Beasley, who some were comparing to Durant), so I think that will come. Biggest issue is that he still settles for the jumper too much, and without someone else who can get you points in the paint, it is tough to win taking just jump shots, no matter how well you shoot. The good news is that I do not think he will turn into Melo, he has shown the desire to put in the work to be the best, Melo never has.

Westbrook I think is the real deal. Put his head down and gets to the paint, honestly, mirrors a lot of Bayless does offensively, but plays much better D. Still needs to learn how to finish against NBA bigs, and as you note, develop a three so he can’t be left open.

As far as the rest of the team, love Kristic as rotational big-man, same with Collison. But my worry with Collison is that this is as good as it gets with him, and he will peak before the rest of the team is ready, but there are plenty of draft solutions for that. Swift is ok, but like so many other 7fters in the league, just not quite there athletically. Watson is efficient, but can be a ball-hog and a distraction when he does not get his minutes. Frankly he thinks he is better than he is. Loved picking up Sefelosha, great back-up 2/3. Weaver is just ok, but young athletic unskilled shooting guards are a dime a dozen (btw I think Harden would also be a great fit).

Outside of Durant, Westbrook, Sef, Kristic and maybe collision, everyone else should be available in trade/expendable. Really need to fill that hole in donut – using Green as bait – but I love this team.

PS – Thabeet is does not fill that hole. Roy Hibbert destroyed him for two years. I think Thabeet is just a step too slow if Hibbert could consistently out-quick him. Thabeet should be late lottery.