NBA Draft Rumors 2014: Thunder eyeing Shabazz Napier, Elfrid Payton

Apr 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) celebrate after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats 60-54 in the championship game of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Now that the Oklahoma City Thunders’ season is over, there is no shortage of question marks.

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Despite their loss to the San Antonio Spurs, they may have found an answer for one problem. Reggie Jackson looks poised to take over as the starting shooting guard alongside Russell Westbrook rather than back him up.

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders believes that means the team could eye a backup to Westbrook like former Connecticut Huskies’ point guard Shabazz Napier or former Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns’ floor general Elfrid Payton.

"The Thunder hold what is currently the 21st and 29th picks in the 2014 NBA Draft, based on their history of drafting best talent available, they will have some interesting options available to them towards the bottom of the first round. There is a strong chance the Thunder look for a backup point guard, mainly because current backup guard Reggie Jackson looks poised to be a starter next season with Westbrook and Jackson likely sliding to the off-guard position interchangeably.There could be some solid point guards available at 21 such as Louisiana Lafayette’s Elfrid Payton or UCONN’s Shabazz Napier. At 29, the Thunder could look at add depth behind Serge Ibaka with a number of interesting Power Forward options available like French big man Clint Capela, Florida’s Patric Young, or Tennessee’s Jarnell Stokes."

Napier led the Huskies in scoring (18.0 points per game), rebounds (5.9 per game) and assists (4.9 per game) while Payton put up 19.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game during the 2013-14 season. Payton shot 50.0% from the floor, but just 25.9% from beyond the arc and 59.0% from the free throw line.