Oklahoma City Thunder 2015 Draft Preview

Jun 23, 2015 - 4:11 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Oklahoma City Thunder aren't using to being in the lottery, but they found themselves there this year after a season riddled by injury.

Kevin Durant played 27 games with foot injuries. Russell Westbrook missed time with various ailments, but he nearly carried the Thunder to the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Most of the team will be back in OKC. Enes Kanter, a midseason acquisition, is a free agent, but there is mutual interest in a return. Dion Waiters, another in-season pick up, has a team option.

The roster is loaded from top-to-bottom. Every single player in a Thunder uniform can see minutes and produce. It's almost like having the 14th pick is unfair.

If the Thunder have a weakness, it's a backup point guard behind Westbrook. Oklahoma City would love to see Murray State's Cameron Payne slide to the 14th pick. He's a sleeper point guard who can come in right away and be a productive pro. Payne has quickness and has dazzled teams during his interviews with his acumen for the game.

Duke's Tyus Jones and Notre Dame's Jerian Grant may not be worthy of the 14th pick.

Oklahoma City could look long-term and see Durant as a free agent in the summer of 2016. That might make them lean to a small forward like Wisconsin's Sam Dekker, or Arizona's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Truth is, with the roster in OKC, the Thunder could very easily just take the best player available. Or, Oklahoma City could take a project like Kansas' Kelly Oubre.

Under Contract: F Kevin Durant; G Russell Westbrook; F Serge Ibaka; F Steve Novak; G Anthony Morrow; G D.J.Augustin; F Nick Collison; G Jeremy Lamb; C Steven Adams; F/C Mitch McGary; G Andre Roberson; F Perry Jones

Free Agents: C Enes Kanter; F Kyle Singler; G Dion Waiters (team option)

Recent Draft History:

2014: Mitch McGary (21), Josh Huestis (29)

2013: Steven Adams (12), Archie Goodwin (29), Alex Abrines (32)

2012: Perry Jones (28)

2011: Reggie Jackson (24)

2010: Eric Bledsoe (18), Craig Brackins (21), Quincy Pondexter (26), Magnum Rolle (51)