Seattle Supersonics: NBA Draft '08 Needs And Wants

Up in Seattle, Sonics fans have had their attention on the ongoing trial deciding the future location of the team.  Many fans, including myself, have forgotten that the NBA draft is about to happen!

The Sonics hold a very a high pick at No. 4 and also a second first round pick at No. 24.  Who should they be taking with these first-round picks along with their four second-round picks?

The Sonics’ most pressing need lies in the point guard position.  Luke Ridnour has failed to regain the magic that he once had when Nate McMillan was the Sonics' coach, and Earl Watson isn’t the floor commander a point guard needs to be.

The Sonics need to draft a solid point guard who won’t turn the ball over, has the ability to run an offense, and can become a playmaker on both ends of the floor.

Jerryd Bayless is all of that.

I haven’t come across a mock draft that has not had the Seattle Supersonics taking Jerryd Bayless at No. 4.  Bayless isn’t the purest of all point guards in the draft, but he will be the best available at the position after Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo are taken.

Unlike the Sonics’ current point guards, Bayless has a killer scoring instinct.  Having him and Kevin Durant on the floor at the same time will cause trouble for a lot of perimeter defenses.  Bayless and Durant could form one of the best young backcourts in the NBA next season and beyond.

If O.J. Mayo is available, the Sonics need to consider drafting him.  However, they should only draft him if Bayless is off the board. 

Bottom line: the Sonics NEED a point guard.  If they don’t come out of this draft without one, this year’s draft can be marked as a complete failure.

Mayo can create shots for himself and for others.  He’ll also be able to open up Durant’s and Jeff Green’s games easily.  Although Mayo can play the point, he is much more of a shooting guard.

All in all, Mayo would be a great complement to Durant, but Bayless would fit better within the Sonics’ system.

For their second first-round pick they should target Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis.  Chris Douglas-Roberts has one of the highest ceilings in the draft this year.  The Sonics could be stealing him if he falls to them at No. 24.

Roberts doesn’t have a fully-polished game ready for the NBA, but he does have the potential to morph into a star in this league.  The great thing about Roberts is he is extremely versatile and can be an effective backup for both Jeff Green and Kevin Durant. 

There are also several prospects that the Sonics could grab even if they would fall ahead of their No. 24 pick.  Sam Presti has the power to deal several of his second-round picks along with their No. 24 pick to move up in the first round.

This means names like Robin Lopez, Mario Chalmers, Kosta Koufos, Roy Hibbert, and Nicolas Batum all will have legit possibilities of being drafted by the Sonics.

I believe the Sonics should trade a couple of their second-round picks for future first-round picks.  There is no need to have four second-round picks when the roster can only have so many bodies.

If they do keep their picks, they should focus on getting depth at every position and consider drafting foreign prospects so they can be stashed overseas until they’re ready to play in the NBA.

Jerryd Bayless, Chris Douglas-Roberts, and some overseas players will make this year's draft a success for the Supersonics.

Now only if the city of Seattle can win its case against Clay Bennett and his gang of thieves…..