32-year old power forward Mike Ruffin will be in training camp with the Thunder trying to make the roster. Ruffin played in 11 games (0 starts) for the Blazers last season and he averaged 3.2 minutes, 0.5 points and 1.0 rebound per game. He has now played in 414 games (58 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 14.4 minutes, 1.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Ruffin will have a good chance to make the roster of the Thunder because of his rebounding and defense.

20-year old Russell Westbrook is a player for the Thunder to build around. Westbrook played in 82 games for the Thunder last season and he averaged 32.5 minutes, 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. The Thunder like the fact that Westbrook isn’t afraid to shoot the ball but they will likely want him to pass more down the road. 24-year old Shaun Livingston will back up Westbrook as long as he can stay healthy. He played in 12 games last season with the Heat and Thunder in which he averaged 19.3 mintues, 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He has a huge upside. 36-year old Kevin Ollie will also be around at the point. He played in 50 games for the T-Wolves last season and he averaged 17.0 minutes, 4.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE POINT GUARDS IN 2009-2010: B

The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t make a big splash in free agency as they have only signed veteran point guard Kevin Ollie. They also only made 1 trade adding F/C Etan Thomas from the T-Wolves for Chucky Atkins and Damien Wilkins. The draft is where the Thunder made some headway. They got SG James Harden and C B.J. Mullens in the first round of the NBA Draft and they nabbed SG/SF Robert Vaden in the 2nd round. Harden should step right into the starting lineup beside Russell Westbrook.

OFF-SEASON GRADE FOR THE FRONT OFFICE SO FAR: B