2012 NBA Draft: 5 Realistic Draft Targets for the Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder are a team built from the ground up. They were pieced together through prospect evaluation and calculated risk, thus utilizing the NBA Draft to build the powerhouse they are today.

Expect more of the same in 2012.

With the Oklahoma City Thunder firmly establishing themselves as a legitimate title contender, there doesn't appear to be much room to improve. With the lack of a front-court scorer, however, the draft is one of the most important days of the year for the Thunder's future.

So, who will they take?

5. Mike Scott, Virginia Cavaliers

Player Traits: Power Forward—23—6'8"—237 pounds—6'11" wingspan

Pros:

Very good rebounder. Can score from the paint to the three-point line. High character, high motor player. Very strong, very physical. Thrived against the better competition.

Cons:

Undersized. Turning 24 by the time the regular season begins. History of injuries.

Why It Works:

A major reach, for sure, but one that cannot be questioned in terms of value. Scott's versatile scoring will counter any argument you pose, otherwise.

Scott is one of the most efficient players in this draft class, pairing high-percentage scoring with low-mistake defense. He doesn't bite on head fakes very often, stays in front of his man and has quick enough hands to force turnovers.

His three-point shooting, low-post versatility and dominant rebounding are just an added bonus.

Season Averages: 30.91 PER—18.0 PPG—8.3 RPG—1.2 APG—56% FG

4. Quincy Miller, Baylor Bears

Player Traits: Small Forward—19—6'9"—210 pounds—7'4" wingspan

Pros:

Great athlete. Versatile forward that can play both positions. High basketball IQ. Solid interior and perimeter game. Plays well above the rim. Can control the glass. Good defender.

Cons:

Can settle for shots. Must work his way to the basket more often. Can be one dimensional. Must add muscle.

Why It Works:

Depth is the key to this selection, as the Thunder offer Kevin Durant some time to rest. They also offer their front court some aid, as Miller possesses the wingspan to play as a stretch-the-floor 4. So why not kill two birds with two stones and make your team even more elite than before?

At worst, Miller doesn't pan out and is simply a super-efficient and athletic weapon off of the bench. At best, he's a potential rotational piece who could be utilized in a trade if the Thunder feel he's not a necessary piece of the puzzle.

Season Averages: 24.4 MPG—25.53 PER—10.6 PPG—4.9 RPG—1.4 APG—0.7 SPG—0.6 BPG

3. A Trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers currently possess back-to-back draft picks in the second round, going 33rd and 34th overall. While some may view this as a downgrade for the Cavs, they too are in dire need of a scoring 4 with Antawn Jamison hitting free agency and Tristan Thompson more defensive-oriented. The Cavs could then be in contention for a scoring 4.

The Thunder, meanwhile, could add two potential rotation players with nearly equal value. Players such as power forward Eric Griffin of Campbell and Festus Ezeli of Vanderbilt then come into play.

A trade with high-reward and little to lose.

2. Kevin Jones, West Virginia Mountaineers

Player Traits: Power Forward—22—6'8"—250 pounds—7'4" wingspan

Pros:

Overcomes height disadvantage with gigantic wingspan. Hard-worker with great motor. Can score anywhere on the floor. Crashes the offensive boards. Can play both the 3 or 4.

Cons:

Rather short for a 4. Not athletic enough to play the 3. Not the greatest athlete.

Why It Works:

Kevin Jones isn't quite athletic enough to play the 3 and lacks the size for the ideal 4. What Jones can do, however, is stretch the floor, crash the boards and score in bunches type of big man. In other words, he's everything the Thunder lack and need.

This might be a bit of a stretch at this point in the draft, but it must be noted that the Thunder have one chance to get it right. Due to their lack of a second round draft choice, it may not be such a bad idea to take Jones before he slips away.

Season Averages: 29.10 PER—19.9 PPG—10.9 RPG—1.2 APG—1.0 BPG

1. Andrew Nicholson, Power Forward

Player Traits: Power Forward—22—6'9"—225 pounds—7'3" wingspan

Pros:

Very good motor. Natural born leader. Excellent defender. Big-time scorer in the low-post and from the perimeter. Can throw it down with the best of them. Massive wingspan outweighs questions about height.

Cons:

Lacks height. Is good, but could be better on the boards. Played at a small-time school.

Why It Works:

The Oklahoma City Thunder are as deep a team as they come, led by three legitimate star scorers in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. They also have two defensive stalwarts in Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins manning the interior, with Thabo Sefolosha playing the role of defensive guru on the perimeter.

The issue is, the Thunder lack an interior presence on the offensive end of the floor—an area of weakness that has been exploited throughout the postseason.

While one might imagine Kevin Durant's late-game heroics will continue, what happens if they don't? More importantly, why rely upon them? This opens the door for Andrew Nicholson, who may be the best low-post scorer in this draft class whose name isn't Jared Sullinger.

Season Averages: 31.63 PER—18.5 PPG—8.4 RPG—1.0 APG—2.0 BPG