After Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo went 1-2-3 with no apparent trades, Seattle surprised almost everyone by selecting UCLA point guard Russell Westbrook at #4.

Earlier rumors said Seattle would be picking Indiana guard Eric Gordon in a premeditated exchange with the Clippers at #7. Well, that didn't happen. Was Westbrook the guard L.A. actually wanted? Or is this pick staying in Seatt-- err, Oklahoma City? If it stays with the Sonics, two of the team's three "pieces" for the future are defensive-minded guys (Jeff Green), with Kevin Durant as the offensive superstar.

With two teams who needed centers passing up on Brook Lopez, dude could slide pretty far ... maybe out of the top 12? Jerryd Bayless looks to slip into the deep end of the lottery -- maybe #8, #9, #12 -- with the Westbrook selection.

Meanwhile, Westbrook was slated around #12 or beyond a month ago. Quite a meteoric rise.