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NBA Rumors: 3 reasons OKC Thunder won’t miss Kevin Durant

By A. suave Francisco

Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook (0) with coach Billy Donovan on sidelines during game vs Golden State Warriors at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Game 6.Oklahoma City, OK 5/28/2016CREDIT: Greg Nelson (Photo by Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: SI408 TK1 )
Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Oklahoma City Thunder Russell Westbrook (0) with coach Billy Donovan on sidelines during game vs Golden State Warriors at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Game 6.Oklahoma City, OK 5/28/2016CREDIT: Greg Nelson (Photo by Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: SI408 TK1 ) /
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Jan 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cameron Payne (22) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 101-96. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cameron Payne (22) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 101-96. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Cameron Payne

Hate to say no pressure Cam, but with this year comes pressure. Only being in his second season, he’s being asked to mature faster than expected. He really showed some promise in his rookie season until he was benched in the final stretch leading into the playoffs. He provides depth at the guard position and if developed correctly, could be the perfect backup point guard for Russell Westbrook. There really could be a matchup problem for teams. We all know Russell isn’t a ‘traditional point guard’ along with Oladipo. Cameron Payne is that stereotypical point guard, so opposing teams may have to have an alternate game plan if Cam and the second team are productive enough,

Payne averaged 5.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game during the 2015-2016 season in just 12:14 per game. If he were to play just half the game (24 minutes), statistics point towards him averaging around 10 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds per game and that’s based on his rookie year statistics. Who knows what he may do when he’s actually a key player on this offense. Without Kevin Durant, he’ll get more shots too.

The only major flaw that can’t be fixed with experience is his strength. There were times where Payne got hammered by picks set by opposing post players. He even got caught in the post by larger guards throughout the season. If Cameron gets in the weight room this summer, picks up 10 or so pounds and keeps his speed and agility, he could be a pretty dangerous force to be reckin’ with.

By the way, Cameron was added to the All-Orlando Team for the NBA Summer League, averaging 18.8 points per game.

Next: 1. An above average small forward.

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