Hello and welcome to NBA Draft Central

Our local General Manager Sam Presti is in a precarious proposition. The young Thunder boss is about to select someone from behind Door number 1, 2, 3 or 4. In a terribly weak draft, it is vital to the near and long-term future of our savored franchise that Sam yanks on the correct door.

Mr. Presti-perhaps with the assistance of Sirs Bennett and whomever else in the OKC ivory towers of the OKC Thunder-absolutely positively must take advantage of having the rights to choose third in the upcoming NBA Draft. For one, we all hope-and doubt-we are in this position again.

Owning the third overall pick means one of two things: We have a rotten team-again. Or that we've finished with say the seventh worst record in the league, and gotten luckier in the Ping Pong Draft Lottery than Lyle Lovett was when he somehow lured Julia Roberts into holy matrimony-one of the most baffling happenings in the history of mankind.

I see Presti having three clear options with the third selection. Fortunately, two of which would address team needs.

The Thunder needs a big man--just as does the team selecting before them, the woefully inept Griz from Memphis. Behind Door No. 1: The clear tall drink of water in this mix would be UConn's seven-foot three inch Hasheem Thabeet. That would be a gamble. He's played only five years of competitive basketball, can play defense but is a dud on offense.

Behind Door No. 2: The Thunder needs a point guard. The flashy 6-3 Italian Stallion Ricky Rubio MAY be available. But he's somewhat of a risk too. Short on NBA athleticism and shooting skills.

Long on razzle dazzle dribbling, passing, pick and roll skills, instincts, and basketball IQ. Odd as it sounds, the Thunder could move LAST year's first round pick Russell Westbrook off the ball.

Love the guy, but is not-make that NOT-a true point guard. His decision-making when driving to the hoop is just one area that is as bad as was Julia's choice to move in with Lyle. The upside of that choice would mean that with Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Jeff Green, you'd have four first rounders--each with significant upside, on the floor at the same time. But the reality of that possibility is in part that the 18-yes, 18!-year old, may not be interested in living in our flat, windy, but underrated city. That's reality, but a sensitive topic that some NBA people initially said would hamstring the upside of the franchise.

Perhaps Rubio will be as slick as Archie and Eli Manning were when they maneuvered their way to the Giants and avoid a weak franchise for the bright lights of New York or LA, but I don't see it. The bottom line is that best players start with the worst teams. Rubio still has the option of not coming out.

Behind Door No. 3: Definitely the most boring...but perhaps the wisest. Trade down, keep the cash you'll need for the looming negotiations with The Franchise-Longhorn Durant, and get a nice player who would contribute to a thin and currently poor squadron of talent.

There is talk-perhaps only in the local media-about the Clippers in keeping with tradition, making another insane move: trading the Blake Griffin for Rubio or Bird or Magic or Pistol Pete or Bob Kurland. Under that incomprehensible scenario, some are believing the Thunder would be the benefactor. Playing the percentages, I'd say the odds of that happening are $6 grillion to one-give or take.

One thing we know for sure. Deacon Presti has 33 days to make one of the biggest decisions of his basketball life. We hope he kneels with many of us and prays for divine guidance. And for the sake of our viewing pleasure and playoff possibilities, we place our faith in Presti, and trust that he will continue to live up to his fine reputation. If this doesn't happen, don't let one of these doors hit you in your fanny on the way out of God's Country. Not really...just sounded good. But the truth is this is an opportunity that shan't be wasted.