Cole Aldrich didn’t really fit in New Orleans. The experts never really mentioned Aldrich as an option for the Hornets’ first-round pick, even though the team was in the heart of his projected range (about sixth to 15th). New Orleans, after all, has an established veteran at center in former No. 2 overall pick Emeka Okafor.
The Hornets didn’t need Aldrich. The Oklahoma City Thunder, on the other hand, did. So the relative surprise at the Hornets’ selection of Aldrich with the 11th pick was quickly tempered as, even while Aldrich walked to the stage in a New Orleans hat, ESPN talking heads reported a deal that would send Aldrich back to the Midwest.
“I think he will be a game changer for us,” said Kevin Durant, the NBA scoring champ and a new teammate of Aldrich’s with the Thunder.
While they were a promising young team with superb talent at point guard (Russell Westbrook) and swingman (perennial all-star Durant), The Thunder lacked an elite post. It is, of course, their hope that Aldrich will fill that role.
“I’m not going to try to go in and do spectacular things,” Aldrich said, “only the things I’m good at. I’m good at rebounding and defending and blocking shots and that’s how I’m going to make my presence on the court early is doing those things.”
Oklahoma City is already successful in that regard, though. Despite lining up relative unknowns Nenad Krstic and Serge Ibaka at center for the majority of the season, the Thunder led the league in blocked shots and ranked third in rebounding.
“I’m definitely working hard on my offensive game as well,” Aldrich said.
Like Aldrich, Kansas freshman Xavier Henry was selected by a team with an established player at his projected position. Unlike Aldrich, Henry was not traded. Memphis, with the 12th pick in the draft, selected the sweet-shooting 19-year-old despite the presence of O.J. Mayo as their starting two-guard.
Mayo averaged 17.5 points per game last year at just 22 years old, and projects to be a long-term star for the Grizzlies. Adding another young talent at shooting guard doesn’t necessarily add up for the franchise’s long or short term.
Bill Self said he sees Henry’s immediate role as a sixth man and scoring threat off the bench, and Henry said he could see himself excelling in the role.
“I’ve grown up as a scorer,” Henry said. “I had to take a backseat in Kansas but I’m a versatile scorer and I can help with that.”
If small forward Rudy Gay leaves in free agency as projected, however, Henry may slide into the spot, even though at 6-foot-6 he would be one of the smaller starters in the league at that spot.
Should Aldrich and Henry merit their high draft spots, the effect on Kansas would be great in terms of recruiting and recognition. Even before the duo has a chance to prove that, though, it still thrills Self to have a night like Thursday for the program.
“It was a great night for those two and their families,” he said, “but also a great night for our program to see two kids taken that high at 11 and 12.”