He doesn’t handle the ball well enough to play shooting guard, and the Sonics will struggle with Durant and a combo guard in the back court.There is no greater example in recent years, than the disaster that has been Tracy McGrady’s career in Houston. Paired with Bob Sura, Mike James, and now RuckerPark legend Rafer Alston in the Rockets’ back court, the Rockets have looked very sloppy in the postseason, while McGrady and the aforementioned players were manning the guard spots.The need for an upgrade at point guard should not be one that is filled for the sake of filling it. There are almost always low-cost options in the back half of the first round, the second round, and free agency at both guard spots.Tywon Lawson, if he stays in the draft, could fit the Sonics offense very well. He’s extremely proficient getting to the basket and penetrating from the perimeter, and is generally pretty unselfish.
The UNC point guard has said he won’t remain in the draft unless he’s guaranteed a top-20 pick, and rumors have the Nuggets promising to take him at No. 20.Wayne Ellington is a slightly undersized, semi-athletic shooting guard who is an excellent outside shooter. He’d spread the floor patrolling the perimeter, and would score a lot of points receiving passes from Kevin Durant and Chris Wilcox passing out of double teams.J.R Giddens would be a great option in the second round. He has prototypical size, plays well above the rim, and could become an elite perimeter shooter.
He plays good defense, and could become the Sonics answer against the NBA’s elite shooting guards and small forwards defensively.Chris Duhon is a free agent, and is an extremely unselfish distributor with a championship pedigree. He’s a far better defender than Luke Ridnour, and wouldn’t take many shots away from Kevin Durant.C.J Miles is a restricted free agent from the Utah Jazz. He’s only 21 years old, and when entering the draft he drew comparisons to Ray Allen and Michael Redd. The sharp-shooting southpaw Miles has been offered $1.2M from the Jazz, and after spending the majority of the last two years in the NBDL, he’d likely be a cheap, potentially great solution in the shooting guard spot. The Sonics would have to sign Miles to an offer sheet which the Jazz wouldn’t match.J.J. Reddick has voiced his displeasure with his playing time in Orlando. Though the Magic have remained committed to keeping him, the right combination of valuable pieces could probably net Reddick, who was one of the greatest pure shooters in college.Also, if the Sonics continue to struggle, they will be in position next year to draft a player like Ricky Rubio.
