Thunder's First Round Full of Trades

Oklahoma City wheeled and dealed its way through the NBA Draft, highlighted by the acquisition of Cole Aldrich.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:48 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Jun 24, 2010 10:32 PM CDT

More NBA Draft coverage on Oklahoma Sports:
- Thunder's First Round Full of Trades

- Thunder's Sam Presti Discusses Team's Acquisitions
- James Anderson Joins San Antonio Spurs
- Milwaukee Picks Jerome Jordan in Second Round
- Tiny Gallon Selected by Milwaukee Bucks
- Willie Warren Drafted by Los Angeles Clippers
- 66ers Star Drafted in Second Round by Miami
- Tulsa's Uzoh Goes Undrafted

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder was the most active team in the first round of the NBA Draft Thursday, working two different trades involving all three of its picks to ultimately acquire center Cole Aldrich and guard Morris Peterson.

Oklahoma City selected Eric Bledsoe, Craig Brackins and Quincy Pondexter, but it is likely that none of them will ever don a Thunder jersey. Trades cannot become official until the NBA's moratorium period ends on July 8, but that is generally just a formality.

The Thunder’s first proposed trade will send Brackins and Pondexter to the New Orleans Hornets in return for Aldrich and Peterson. Bledsoe was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a future first-round draft pick, but exactly when that pick will be is not certain.

Aldrich stands at 6-foot-9 and weighs 236 pounds. He will add a much-needed inside presence to the Thunder’s small roster. OKC’s lack of a legitimate big man became obvious in its loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, when Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum dominated below the basket.

Aldrich’s biggest strength is his defense. He is a strong rebounder and pulled down 9.8 boards per game last year, which addresses the Thunder’s biggest need. He also recorded 3.5 blocks per game and should complement Serge Ibaka’s blocking ability off the bench.

He is much more of a liability on the offensive end, particularly when he has to generate his own scoring opportunities. He is not exceptionally quick or agile and does not have a consistent jump shot. However, he is capable of finishing strong when given openings by the pick-and-roll.

Peterson was drafted in the first round of the 2000 Draft and experienced immediate success, but his numbers have decreased since then. His best season came in 2005, when he averaged 16.8 points per game.

The Thunder added a third trade in the second round Thursday when it acquired the rights to Germany’s Tibor Pleiss – the first pick of the second round – from the New Jersey Nets for financial considerations.