Last year's NBA draft was easy as a Sonics fan. Take either Durant or Oden, whoever was left. This year however, it’s a whole new ball game. As soon as it was announced the Sonics would have the fourth pick in this draft I thought “what does that mean?” Now, I'm not stupid, I understand what having the fourth pick means, I just didn't know what that would get them.
After looking at numerous mock drafts, reading many player profiles and consuming my share of media I have figured out who I want. And it turns out, the situation is similar to last year, at least for me. That is, assuming the first two picks go as planned.
The Supes are in need of a point guard and (outside of Derrick Rose) the top three candidates are Jerryd Bayless, O.J. Mayo and Russell Westbrook. I want Bayless or Mayo, not Westbrook. I want their offensive ability, something Westbrook is in short supply of. Some people say the Sonics need more defense as opposed to offense. I tend to believe that most players, whether they normally do or not, can and will play defense if their coach demands it of them or they actually want to. Take a look at the Sonics of 2004-2005. McMillan had them doing something right on D. If the Sonics get someone like McMillan to make them play defense, they would. And Bayless and Mayo are athletic enough to succeed on the defensive end. The bottom line is if Minnesota takes one of these players take the other.
That being said, there is a significant possibility that both will still be on the board for the Sonics at the 4th pick. Then who do you take? It is a tough decision because Bayless and Mayo are essentially the same size (Bayless 6-3 204, Mayo 6-4 200), their college stats are almost identical, and I think both have upside offensively and defensively. But I would prefer Mayo, just slightly (and I mean slightly) over Bayless. I feel like he would complement Durant and Green better. Mayo was one of those guy last year who would fill up the stat sheet without you knowing it. Plus, if the Sonics were to get a true point guard in the next couple of years I think Mayo would provide a great one-two punch with the new point guard. Better than Bayless would provide. Once again though, I would be happy with Bayless though.
I am even more interested in what the Sonics are able to do with their other five picks though, including the 24th. Presti has the reputation for finding gems latter in the draft and with so many picks at his disposal I can't wait to find out what he does.
Keywords: NBA, NBA Draft, NCAA Basketball, Seattle Sonics
