What's the price tag on Ibaka?

[wiff]

The max.

I know it is fun but lets not get too carried away.

[Durant]

...One million less than the max?

[Clangus]

...One million less than the max?

[method]

Serge is my favorite type of player.I think he could become a better shotblocking Hortford.

[azuresou1]

What if we change the trade to Harden, Ibaka and filler for S&T Joe Johnson?

[wiff]

What if we change the trade to Harden, Ibaka and filler for S&T Joe Johnson?

Why would OKC do this? Seriously we all know Joe Johnson is going to get a huge deal. But both Ibaka and harden are in the first year of their rookie deal. They have four more yeas on the cheap. You know how long four years is? Durant is only in his third year in the league. You don't trade Harden and Ibaka, two young affordable talents who have high ceilings for one guy who is very good but priced that way too.

[azuresou1]

OKC's incentive is that Joe Johnson is a known commodity. You know what you're going to get with him - 21/5/5 on 45/38/80 percent shooting.

Harden and Ibaka both have lots of upside, but there have been lots of players with upside and talent who haven't panned out and become rotation role players for their career, if not worse. Sure, Harden could develop into Manu. He could also develop into Cuttino Mobley, who wasn't bad by any means but is clearly nowhere near as good as Johnson. Ibaka could turn into Shawn Kemp - but he can also turn into Sean Williams.

Atlanta takes on risk for a higher potential gain. OKC trades away some risk for a higher (IMO) expected talent level. I think this makes sense for both teams, because any team with Joe Johnson as its best player is stuck as a second round exit (unless they play REALLY nasty defense a la 04 Pistons), but if he's your second best player, you're golden. OKC has that better player in Durant, Atlanta doesn't. Plus, at some point, you need to trade some of your promising young talent for established players, and I think this is a good juncture for OKC AND Atlanta to do so.

[Krodis]

I think this is a good juncture for OKC AND Atlanta to do so.

I don't. Joe Johnson will be over the hill by the time most of OKC's core guys get to 25, and be carrying around a rather large contract.

Be better off signing someone in free agency who fits a better position, is younger, and won't cost us Harden and Ibaka.

[dream_catcher_9]

Serge Ibaka interview
http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/barrig ... ry-minute/

[KayDee35]

Ibaka's potential is huge. You have to like his pedigree, attitude, and work ethic. He has an aptitude for offense and once he develops an inside game, he'll have the chance to be among the top PFs in the league.

He and Harden are just 20 and have shown that they can play at a high level in spurts. So the potential is there. The desire (from what we hear) seems to be there. There's no way these guys are getting moved unless it's for a major talent which isn't going to happen.

Presti is focused on building a team that will be competitive for a long time and these two guys will most likely be starters on that team.

[Joel Embust]

Serge Ibaka interview
http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/barrig ... ry-minute/

Good read.