Cashflow question

Ontario · Post #1 » by **Ontario** » Mon Dec 7, 2009 2:18 am

I agree with Presti's goal of keeping our looming salary cap space to resign our talented young core as they come off their rookie contracts. Durant is obviously a maximum contract guy and determining a structure where Green, Westbrook. Sefalosha, Harden & Ibaka can all feel appreciated and buy into the teams future should be our top priority.

That being said though is there space enough in our cap space for a supporting role Center at part or all of the medium level exception? Everyone knows the big four guys in the 2010 free agent class but once you look past them Marcus Camby, Brendan Haywood and to a lesser extent Brad Miller, (I love his skill set the most but I fear he's on his last legs) are guys who are interesting unrestricted free agents. Are these guys going to find homes at better then 4-5 million a year? Can Presti afford to make a pitch to one of these guys while still holding onto money for our kids?

wiff · Post #2 » by **wiff** » Mon Dec 7, 2009 4:32 am

They could give out a decent contract to a guy like Haywood or whoever they felt could help out the team but he would need to come off the books the same year Westbrook re-signs. Which is I think in three more years after this one?

So there is room for a three year deal to someone that could be pretty hefty. Both Etan Thomas and Earl Watson come off the books at the end of this season which will clear just shy of 14mil.

14mil is quite a bit, even for three years, should bring in someone who can play.

Also Nick and Nenad expire the following year at 12.5mil. There should be a decent chunk of money they can throw at someone.

After Westbrook there should be three guys tied up to hefty contracts. Durant is a max guy, Westbrook is going to be pricey not quite max but still a boatload. And last Green could be in the 13mil range if he becomes a Rashard Lewis impact player. Not the best guy on your team but a guy who can beat you.

Honestly I think eventually they will end up losing one of their young kids like Harden or Ibaka because of all the young talent on this team eating up the money before they get a chance.

Balkman32 · Post #3 » by **Balkman32** » Mon Dec 7, 2009 3:34 pm

OKC needs to spend the money to bring in a Bosh. If they did that they would trun a small market team into a nationally known team. The time is now in OKC. They can continue to be a small market team who just pays their rookies or they can be a team who goes after the big fish (ie Bosh) ane becomes a Perennial Contender for the Championship for the Next 10 Years.

San Antonio is not a Big Market City, they paid Duncan, Jefferson, Manu, and Parker. The Thunder should be able to add a Bosh.

Ontario · Post #4 » by **Ontario** » Mon Dec 7, 2009 5:07 pm

Being nationally known will come with winning no matter who is on the roster, and winning is honestly more important.

San Antonio by the way is the 7th largest city in the US, just behind Philadelphia just ahead of Dallas. pretty big. Although it is a good question to ask when all the youngsters do mature past their rookie deals will we at that point be a team willing to have one foot over the cap to maintain upper echelon contention? (Providing reach that point with the current experiment still going well) Or are we committed to playing within the cap at all costs?

Balkman32 · Post #5 » by **Balkman32** » Mon Dec 7, 2009 8:54 pm

You are Right. But look @ this artical http://okcnewsbureau.blogspot.com/2009/08/oklahoma-city-has-biggest-increase-in.html

If you want to go with Population look at Portland (just above us) and ATL, New Orleans, Sacramento, Golden State, Minneapolis are all under us.

I am sure we will find out soon which way OKC is going to go. I really hope they go the rout of going over the cap. Because, they moved to OKC for a reason, and the reaon shoulden't be to play ok and make the playoffs. It should be to bring a Championships to OKC.

wiff · Post #6 » by **wiff** » Tue Dec 8, 2009 12:17 am

So tell me this if you bring in Bosh who is going to run the point?

Don't tell me Westbrook because OKC won't be able to afford him once they have given out two max contracts to Bosh and Durant. You won't get Bosh unless you give him a max deal and you won't keep Durant unless you give him a max deal as well. So with the salary cap going down I'm really curious as to how OKC is going to keep their talent if you were to bring in Bosh? Please inform me.

Bosh is a nice fantasy, but OKC simply can't bring in a guy like Bosh and expect to keep Durant and Westbrook. Bosh is a salary cap killer for a small market team.

Teams like the Knicks, Lakers, Bulls, Celtics and Mavericks can afford to go into the luxury tax and they have demonstrated a willingness to do that. Don't expect OKC to shoot up into the luxury tax to buy a winner.

sonic-ben · Post #7 » by **sonic-ben** » Tue Dec 8, 2009 12:29 am

I would perfer Hortford from Atlanta! as a FA pickup

Chemisty, teamwork , culture

Balkman32 · Post #8 » by **Balkman32** » Tue Dec 8, 2009 9:25 pm

So this is the team? Thats it? It is a shame the team is so small market that it will not add a player of that calibar. What a shame! The Thunder do have two first rounddraft picks which they can probally package to get into the lottery.

wiff · Post #9 » by **wiff** » Wed Dec 9, 2009 5:24 am

Balkman32 wrote:So this is the team? Thats it? It is a shame the team is so small market that it will not add a player of that calibar. What a shame! The Thunder do have two first rounddraft picks which they can probally package to get into the lottery.

Yeah man this is the team. A playoff team in the west with the second youngest roster in the league. I know it sucks huh.

Oh but they will play together for the next like 9 years or so. Nothing ever good comes from team chemistry and experience.