Thunder select Cameron Payne with No. 14 pick
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The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Murray State point guard Cameron Payne with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft on Thursday night.
The Thunder don't appear worried about Payne's broken finger - they shouldn't be, given the short recovery timeline - and it appears they saw enough before Payne was shut down. So did everyone else, according to reports throughout the pre-draft process that had him vaulting up boards.
Payne gives the Thunder a strong option to back up Russell Westbrook at point guard. Payne is a decent shooter and a strong playmaker.
While Payne looks a little on the small side, his 6-foot-7.25 wingspan portends defensive potential, especially as a ball-hawk. He needs to add a good deal of bulk to avoid being bullied, which should help on the offensive end, too. Payne is great at changing speeds and navigating creases to get to the rim, but isn't a terrific finisher. He does create well for others once into the teeth of the defense, and his 37.7-percent mark from outside suggests a solid floor as a scoring backup one.
And for what Payne lacks in strength, he makes up for with confidence.