The worst NBA Draft picks for every team

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28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Cam Payne

Since they were violently ripped from the great northwest, the Thunder have done pretty well in the draft. Like the Spurs and Jazz, there really isn’t a glaring pockmark on their draft resume, at least not one that could have altered the course of franchise history (if this were a piece about trades, on the other hand…)

They still have to own up to Cameron Payne though.

It’s unclear whether, in the four years since he was drafted, Payne has gotten better, worse, or maintained flatline status. Yes, he was an intriguing point guard prospect, and the Thunder badly needed a backup following the Reggie Jackson trade. It was a more than reasonable chance to take, and a wasted 14th pick shouldn’t haunt you too much unless the next guy taken was Kawhi or Giannis.

That said, Kelly Oubre and Terry Rozier are both humans with discernible basketball skill, which is more than Payne can say. They would have helped the Thunder, and for all anyone knows, made a difference in the 2016 Golden State series that ultimately ushered Kevin Durant out the door. Each went in the next few spots after Payne.

It wasn’t all bad though. The Thunder unloaded Payne in a deal to get them Doug McDermott, who (along with the pick that became Mitchell Robinson) later helped them acquire Carmelo Anthony, who they then used (along with a future protected first) to get Dennis Schroder, who…

You know what? Never mind.

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