2013-14 Record: 59-23 (1st in Northwest Division)
Lost to San Antonio in Western Conference Finals (2-4)
2013-14 Team Stats (points per 100 possessions)
Offensive: 108.1 (7th in NBA)
Defensive: 101.1 (5th in NBA)
Season Recap
Oklahoma City didn't miss a beat without Russell Westbrook during the regular season as the All-Star point guard was out for a good chuck of the year with lingering knee issues. The big reason for that was Kevin Durant, who took his game to another level and won his first MVP award.
But come playoff time, it was clear that the Thunder had not gotten any better. KD and Westbrook carried the team as far as they could - with a little help from Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson - and got nothing from their role players.
With two picks at the end of the first round, it's crucial that OKC can pick up some players who can contribute right away since they have limited cap space. Who can they get?
Draft Picks
Round 1
Pick 21
Shooting guard is the biggest positional need for the Thunder with Thabo Sefolosha dropping out of the rotation and Jeremy Lamb seeing limited minutes in the playoffs. However, with Jackson working well in the starting lineup, their biggest concern should just be to find some players - no matter the position - that can help their bench.
Many would like for them to pick P.J. Hairston, but his rocky past and questionable attitude doesn't fit the profile of guys OKC likes to add to their team. Cleanthony Early from Wichita State does.
He's a winner, athletic enough to play either forward position, sound defensively, and can score in a multitude of ways. Early would provide the Thunder with a sixth-man they haven't had since James Harden was traded to Houston.
Pick 29
This is where Oklahoma City will address their need for a shooting guard. They'd love is Hairston or UCLA's Jordan Adams fell to them, but that probably won't be the case. Look for them to go after Missouri's Jordan Clarkson, who is a dynamite scorer and can play either guard position.
Current Roster
G: Russell Westbrook
G: Reggie Jackson
G: Andre Roberson
G/F: Jeremy Lamb
F: Kevin Durant
F: Serge Ibaka
F: Perry Jones
F/C: Nick Collison
C: Kendrick Perkins
C: Steven Adams
C: Hasheem Thabeet
Free Agents
G: Thabo Sefolosha
F: Caron Butler
Who should the Thunder pick? Can they contribute towards a title run? Tweet your thoughts to @brauf33.
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