Klay Thompson says Buddy Hield should be top-three pick

[OUHoops]

http://newsok.com/klay-thompson-says-buddy-hield-should-be-top-three-pick/article/5488484

 

[SilliSooner]

I don't whether we bother when recruiting but the opportunity to be twenty minutes away from watching or meeting some of the best players in the world ought to be a selling point when differentiating coming to Oklahoma against some of our competitors.

You can't do that at Kansas or Arkansas or at Iowa State or even at Duke.

 

[AdaSooner]

Wow! That's high praise coming from one of the NBA's best players. Curry gets most of the pub on that team, and rightly so. But, Klay Thompson is not far from his level when it comes to scoring in bunches and knocking down shots from deep.

Question for you draft aficionados. Assuming Buddy is drafted in the top ten as expected, what will his contract look like in terms of bonus money and an annual salary?

 

[OUSKINS]

Wow! That's high praise coming from one of the NBA's best players. Curry gets most of the pub on that team, and rightly so. But, Klay Thompson is not far from his level when it comes to scoring in bunches and knocking down shots from deep.

Question for you draft aficionados. Assuming Buddy is drafted in the top ten as expected, what will his contract look like in terms of bonus money and an annual salary?

Pick:1 1st Year Salary:$4,592,200 2nd Year Salary:$4,798,900 3rd Year:$5,005,500 4th Year:26.1% QO:30.0%

Pick:2 1st Year Salary:$4,108,800 2nd Year Salary:$4,293,700 3rd Year:$4,478,600 4th Year:26.2% QO:30.5%

Pick:3 1st Year Salary:$3,689,700 2nd Year Salary:$3,855,800 3rd Year:$4,021,800 4th Year:26.4% QO:31.2%

Pick:4 1st Year Salary:$3,326,700 2nd Year Salary:$3,476,400 3rd Year:$3,626,100 4th Year:26.5% QO:31.9%

Pick:5 1st Year Salary:$3,012,500 2nd Year Salary:$3,148,100 3rd Year:$3,283,600 4th Year:26.7% QO:32.6%

Pick:6 1st Year Salary:$2,736,100 2nd Year Salary:$2,859,200 3rd Year:$2,982,400 4th Year:26.8% QO:33.4%

Pick:7 1st Year Salary:$2,497,800 2nd Year Salary:$2,610,200 3rd Year:$2,722,600 4th Year:27.0% QO:34.1%

Pick:8 1st Year Salary:$2,288,200 2nd Year Salary:$2,391,200 3rd Year:$2,494,200 4th Year:27.2% QO:34.8%

Pick:9 1st Year Salary:$2,103,500 2nd Year Salary:$2,198,100 3rd Year:$2,292,800 4th Year:27.4% QO:35.5%

Pick:10 1st Year Salary:$1,998,200 2nd Year Salary:$2,088,100 3rd Year:$2,178,000 4th Year:27.5%

 

[furge]

Would it surprise you to learn that Mychal Thompson, Klay's dad, is Bahamian?

 

[DenverSooner]

Picking buddy late (as in late top ten) reminds me a lot of Durant and Melo. Both were so clearly awesome players yet there were guys that everyone said had all this potential and had to be selected first. In Durant's case it was Greg Oden (I think that was his name). He had foot problems and never amounted to anything in the NBA. Way back when Melo was drafted it was a eastern european guy that the Pistons took. He never amounted to anything.

If Hield cannot be taken with a top pick and I owned that pick, I would trade down. Buddy is going to be a very good professional player. He will not rest until he is an All-Star. He may never be an All-Star but if that is true, he will never rest. That is how he is wired.

For those that doubt this, check out his academic record. He was at least two times Big XII All Academic. This is a guy that puts in legendary hours at the gym but he still took care of business in the classroom. He is simply better than most of us when it comes to drive.

 

[AdaSooner]

Thanks for the info, OUSKINS!

 

[papaP]

Would it surprise you to learn that Mychal Thompson, Klay's dad, is Bahamian?

Eric Gordon of the New Orleans Pelicans mother is from the Bahamas as well and its a possibility that Buddy will end up in New Orleans.

Injuries have derailed a promising career for Eric Gordon.

 

[SoopaSooner]

The team with the current 4th pick is in great position. Can't wait for lottery night.

 

[coolm]

I hope he does get into the top 5.

How awesome would that be for a wayyyy deserving guy and his family!!

Couldnt be happier for the results he's had by staying. I was worried for him but that work ethic made a huge difference.

 

[Big Old Booger]

IMO, the Thunder should trade Westbrook to get Hield. Buddy can shoot better than Westbrook but isn't as good with the ball or as quick but he's also not as much a ball hog as Westbrook. In addition, he would be much better with the press, the community and the OKC Thunder fans would love him.

We've heard rumors Westbrook and Durant are leaving after next year so why not get ahead of the situation and trade Westbrook for someone who will be a star and will draw crowds to watch him play. If Durant decides to go then so be it, at least you have something in return for one of the stars.

 

[skyvue]

IMO, the Thunder should trade Westbrook to get Hield. Buddy can shoot better than Westbrook but isn't as good with the ball or as quick but he's also not as much a ball hog as Westbrook. In addition, he would be much better with the press, the community and the OKC Thunder fans would love him.

I would happily cheer for the Thunder (something I've not done in some time) if they somehow get Buddy.

 

[AdaSooner]

I would happily cheer for the Thunder (something I've not done in some time) if they somehow get Buddy.

I'll go one step further. I'll cheer for any team that signs Buddy, even the Celtics, a franchise that has always been at or near the bottom of my list.

 

[skyvue]

I'll go one step further. I'll cheer for any team that signs Buddy, even the Celtics, a franchise that has always been at or near the bottom of my list.

I'm with you. Whoever he signs with will immediately become one of my favorite, if not my very favorite, NBA teams.

 

[campbest]

IMO, the Thunder should trade Westbrook to get Hield. Buddy can shoot better than Westbrook but isn't as good with the ball or as quick but he's also not as much a ball hog as Westbrook. In addition, he would be much better with the press, the community and the OKC Thunder fans would love him.

Stop.

 

[Max Power]

I'll go one step further. I'll cheer for any team that signs Buddy, even the Celtics, a franchise that has always been at or near the bottom of my list.

Yup, I started following the Mavericks when the signed Eduardo, and I follow the Clippers because of Blake. Buddy will be no different

 

[coolm]

buddy can play the 3 for OKC when KD leaves.

 

[MNsooner]

Picking buddy late (as in late top ten) reminds me a lot of Durant and Melo. Both were so clearly awesome players yet there were guys that everyone said had all this potential and had to be selected first. In Durant's case it was Greg Oden (I think that was his name). He had foot problems and never amounted to anything in the NBA. Way back when Melo was drafted it was a eastern european guy that the Pistons took. He never amounted to anything.

If Hield cannot be taken with a top pick and I owned that pick, I would trade down. Buddy is going to be a very good professional player. He will not rest until he is an All-Star. He may never be an All-Star but if that is true, he will never rest. That is how he is wired.

For those that doubt this, check out his academic record. He was at least two times Big XII All Academic. This is a guy that puts in legendary hours at the gym but he still took care of business in the classroom. He is simply better than most of us when it comes to drive.

A player who recently was in Buddy Hield's situation is Damian Lillard. He was also a 4-year player who I considered a proven talent with some obvious NBA skills. I think Buddy could be similarly successful in the NBA. Lillard was picked in the top 10 around where I think Buddy might be drafted. Someone is going to get a good player. I don't know if he'll be an all-star. I'm no NBA expert. I do know that players who can shoot like he does are dominate the NBA game right now. Get him on a team that will green light him and I think he'll have a good career.

 

[SoopaSooner]

Regardless of where Buddy goes. He's getting a jersey sale from me.