The Thunder have acquired 21-year old center Cole Aldrich (who was picked 11th overall) and 32-year old small forward Morris Peterson from the Hornets for the #21 and #26 overall picks in the NBA Draft. Aldrich is a legit center at 6′11″, 245 pounds and he plays a big man’s game. Aldrich played in 36 games (all starts) for Kansas last season and he averaged 11.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 3.5 blocked shots per game. He played in 111 games (71 starts) in his three years with the Jayhawks and he averaged 9.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 2.3 blocked shots per game. It will be interesting to see how much the Thunder use Aldrich as a rookie as they could certainly use his defense and rebounding. Morris Peterson was attached to this deal so the Thunder took him to get Aldrich. Peterson played in 46 games (39 starts) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 21.2 minutes, 7.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. He has now played in 707 games (487 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 27.4 minutes, 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Peterson will come off the bench for the Thunder in 2010-11 providing them with some outside shooting.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have the #21, #26, #32 and #51 picks heading into tomorrow night’s NBA Draft and I think they will be thinking big. I would not be surprised one bit if the Thunder used all of the picks on power forwards and centers. Jeff Green and Nick Collison could also be on the trading block tomorrow night which could give the Thunder even more picks. They are getting close to doing some real damage in the NBA Playoffs so look for them to try to muscle up tomorrow night.

The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Vaden from the Bobcats on Draft Night. The 24-year old Vaden played in 60 games in two seasons at UAB and he averaged 11.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Vaden has a decent upside so he could help the Thunder down the road.

The Thunder acquired B.J. Mullens in a trade with the Mavericks. The 20-year old Mullens is a 7′0″, 275 pound center who the Thunder will develop slowly. Mullens played in 33 games in his one year with Ohio State and he averaged 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game. Mullens could eventually start in the pivot down the road for the Thunder but they will likely take it slow with him.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have selected 19-year old shooting guard James Harden with the third pick in the NBA Draft. The Thunder will probably team Harden with Russell Westbrook in the backcourt for the 2009-2010 season. Harden played in 69 games (68 starts) at Arizona State and he averaged 19.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Harden hit 50.6% from the floor and 37.6% from three point range so he’s a solid offensive player.