So can we trade for Varejao before he leaves our price range

[slick_watts]

I'd prefer Varejao since he's under contract longer. Sure, he's prone to injury, but if we trade for Gortat I don't see how he could be retained beyond 2013-14. The team would get two seasons and some change out of Varejao at least, and he may be cheaper to retain if that's what they wanted to do.

Kendrick Perkins + some combination of Toronto 1st round pick, Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, Eric Maynor, etc. should be on the table. I think it'd take less to acquire Gortat than Varejao. I think Varejao would be the better fit next to Ibaka, and especially in the West where there's more big guys to defend.

I think the team will stand pat on Perkins, though. Obviously Presti has pulled off bigger shockers, but for some reason I feel like they wouldn't trade away Perkins. Having a more capable center like Gortat offensively opens some things up though. A crunch time lineup of Gortat-Ibaka-Durant-Martin-Westbrook looks mighty appealing.

[sterncohen]

I think Gortat is the better fit, because he provides some post offense as well as defense. It would be a little shocking to have a big man who can actually catch on the pick-and-roll. And I think trading for him works if Presti believes he can re-sign Martin at a reasonable rate, because Lamb would have to go for Phoenix to be interested. Martin at $8-10M/year for four years and Gortat at around $12M/year would total significantly less than what OKC was willing to put on the table for Harden + Perkins.

[bbms]

I really like what Varejao high-post passing could do for our offense much more than any realistic post scorer Presti could bring. Durant, Martin and Westbrook are great working off the ball, Maynor works his best offensively spotting up, so I can't see a better fit than Varejão.

Give Varejão the ball and teach Ibaka how to make a cut and then you'll have enough bigman scoring, trust me.

Defensively I see him as an improvement over Perkins.

[HeartSouloma]

Im not sure if AV can help us over the top. But we need to beat the heats, and the only way to beat them is to beat them inside the paint. Perkins is terrible n we need a good big man that can score n defend. I dont care if we have Al Jeff, Andy V, M Gortat as long as we beat the heats or any other team to win that chip i will be happy

[IMAN5]

I don't think Varejao at 30 years old should be the main target for you guys. He's good but hes only an upgrade over Perkins which isn't saying much.

I wish OKC had an athletic guy like Deandre Jordan, that would be dangerous on the run,

[HeartSouloma]

http://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma ... or-thunder

In the midst of a career year, Cleveland big man Anderson Varejao continues to be mentioned as possible trade target for the Thunder.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Currently the NBA's leading rebounder, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao continues to present an intriguing option as a possible mid-season trade piece for contenders around the league.
And with the Thunder still eager to upgrade their frontcourt to better match up with some of the top teams in the West, Oklahoma City remains one of the most likely destinations for the 6'11 big man if he happens to be dealt. Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer indicates that the Thunder's stockpile of draft picks could be more than enough to entice Cleveland's organization to pull a deal:

[--ALL--NBA--]

The problem with Varejao is that he is a cheap upgrade for any team, therefore Cleveland will have lots of teams interested and Cleveland can sit back and choose the best option. OKC would likely have to give up young talent and / or draft picks they secured from the Harden trade, but even then, OKC would be overpaying for a position that is not necessary to fix right now.

Best option: wait for a good draft with solid big men. That's the best time to use draft picks or trade rookies for an athletic big man.

[BIG EDDIE]

The problem with Varejao is that he is a cheap upgrade for any team, therefore Cleveland will have lots of teams interested and Cleveland can sit back and choose the best option. OKC would likely have to give up young talent and / or draft picks they secured from the Harden trade, but even then, OKC would be overpaying for a position that is not necessary to fix right now.

Best option: wait for a good draft with solid big men. That's the best time to use draft picks or trade rookies for an athletic big man.

If youre talking about the Toronto pick, then its not accurate, as the Thunder HAVE TO use the pick as soon as Toronto gets a lottery pick except top 3.