Busting Brackets
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NBA Draft 2020: Biggest needs for each Western Conference franchise

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 02: Oklahoma City Thunder talk with Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 02: Oklahoma City Thunder talk with Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

. Oklahoma City Thunder. . team. 149. .

Biggest needs: Point guard, power forward, and center

Projected picks: 25 via Denver and 53

There was no bigger surprise this season than the Thunder, making the playoffs and taking the Houston Rockets to seven games in the first round. With a ton of future first-round picks and a promising star in leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this franchise is on the positive track.

But with the news that head coach Billy Donovan won’t be back, it’s clear that OKC will be going through a full “rebuild”. That includes trading away Chris Paul, who in one year went from having an untradeable contact to now being pursued by a number of teams. The Thunder can get something for him, as well as starting center Steven Adams if they move him as well.

With that in mind, outside of shooting guard, the Thunder can’t do wrong regardless of which position they take in the first round. The franchise should go for “best available” and hope they can land a hidden gem. Some prospects that should be available with high ceilings include Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley, forward/center Reggie Perry of Mississippi State, and RJ Hampton, a former five-star prospect who played overseas.

The same goes for the second-round selection, although it may go to an international player they can stash overseas while giving the minutes to the young core and see who develops.

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