The Oklahoma City Thunder may still be reeling from the fact that the team missed the last bus to the NBA playoffs but expect them to make key adjustments and rebound next season. In fact, the overhaul has already started.
As everyone knows by now, the Thunder parted with long-time coach Scott Brooks and hooked up with former Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan. Donovan is expected to have his hands full trying to improve on what Brooks has accomplished which includes a 2011-12 trip to the NBA finals.
Kevin Durant is expected to be back in harness next season but just the same, the Thunder have learned their lesson. Though the team had other small forwards to use, none of them could simply fill in the big shoes that Durant left when he was ruled out for the season.
And such could be a position that the Thunder would be looking to fill in the coming NBA Draft.
General Manager Sam Presti believes that the upcoming draft does come with a certain degree of depth which could radiate until the second round. The Thunder will be picking 14th and chances are they could be looking at Kelly Oube Jr. as a possible pick.
This is assuming of course that the Thunder would keep their 14th selection and Presti knows that nothing is final until up to NBA draft day itself. Trades could be coming their way and the Thunder will surely be listening to the offers.
Last season, Steve Novak and Kyle Singler tried to fill up the small forward hole but the slack was simply too large to fill. Russell Westbrook did step it up to try and compensate for the vacuum but it was apparent that losing Kevin Durant was simply too much to overcome.
