2017 OKC Thunder Trade Discussion

[NaturalThunder]

Kanter/Singler for Melo. Get it done.

I don't know...that just feels like an awful fit to me.

[Balkman32]

Kanter/Singler for Melo. Get it done.

I doubt presti trades for Melo. He will be 33 at the beginning of the season. Which is just too old for this team and where Sammy likes to get his players.

[Balkman32]

Read on Twitter

If Presti were to pull that off, I'd be all like

This one is interesting. But, I highly doubt Blake pushes his way out of Clip land. But, Blake to OKC makes a ton of sense in that it is his hometown and he would be coming to a younger team ready to hits its stride rather than an aging team that is trying to stay relevant with aging stars w/ the super team in GS just out doing them. If this is something that could actually occur I wonder two things first what is the cost and second how does the sign and trade work between the Clippers and Thunder, I know the rules changed and added multiple restrictions to these types of trades.

I also don't think should deal any of Westbrook, Oladipo, Adams, Abrines, and Sabonis. These guys are the future. Other than Westbrook these guys are all under 25 and the future core of this franchise. Plus they fit the Thunder way.

McDermott, Roberson, Grant are all players that I really like and I think they fit a purpose but you have to give something to get something.

[Pillendreher]

If we traded Oladipo for Lavine, at what point would Lavine be ready to return from his injury?

I don't know. Isn't ACL like a 6 month injury? Either way: I don't know if Thibs might be willig to swap picks in a Dipo trade (because I wouldn't trade them straight up, period).

[ThunderBolt]

If we traded Oladipo for Lavine, at what point would Lavine be ready to return from his injury?

I don't know. Isn't ACL like a 6 month injury? Either way: I don't know if Thibs might be willig to swap picks in a Dipo trade (because I wouldn't trade them straight up, period).

I was thinking 9-10 months but not sure. If we could swap picks, I would do that trade in a heartbeat.

In other news, the 7ft 2 Latvian unicorn appears unhappy. Go get him Presti.

[Funcrusher]

I've been thinking for a while about kinda/sorta realistic ways for Presti to clear cap space and get reasonable returns so that, regardless of whether we do manage to nab a high-production level player, we will have a better overall fit for Westbrook. Obviously, Kanter has to go, and count me in as one of those people that think Oladipo is not a good fit in OKC with Russ. His greatest skill, penetrating and collapsing a defense, is sorta nullified because with their bigs and Roberson the paint is almost always congested, and his jump shot isn't consistent enough to make up for it as a second option. Do you guys think Presti could make a trade where he packages Oladipo and McDermott for Covington in Philly. You get a guy in Covington that obviously, is less skilled offensively, but primarily gives you 3&D as small forward, which would really help the thunder to pace and space the offense. Roberson could become a guy of the bench that gives you 15-20 minutes of premier D when RC needs rest, not to mention the depth at that position would make it unfathomable for the team to pick up Grant's contract in the offseason. Also, it would give Abrines a chance to step up into a starting role and show what he's made of, even if it's just in a developmental stage. If Philly gets Tatum in the draft like a lot of people project them to, I think they trade Covington. And with Oladipo, you're getting a better player that still hasn't reached his ceiling with McDermott as additional reimbursement. If your Presti, this thought has to enter your mind at some point or the other.

[spearsy23]

I've been thinking for a while about kinda/sorta realistic ways for Presti to clear cap space and get reasonable returns so that, regardless of whether we do manage to nab a high-production level player, we will have a better overall fit for Westbrook. Obviously, Kanter has to go, and count me in as one of those people that think Oladipo is not a good fit in OKC with Russ. His greatest skill, penetrating and collapsing a defense, is sorta nullified because with their bigs and Roberson the paint is almost always congested, and his jump shot isn't consistent enough to make up for it as a second option. Do you guys think Presti could make a trade where he packages Oladipo and McDermott for Covington in Philly. You get a guy in Covington that obviously, is less skilled offensively, but primarily gives you 3&D as small forward, which would really help the thunder to pace and space the offense. Roberson could become a guy of the bench that gives you 15-20 minutes of premier D when RC needs rest, not to mention the depth at that position would make it unfathomable for the team to pick up Grant's contract in the offseason. Also, it would give Abrines a chance to step up into a starting role and show what he's made of, even if it's just in a developmental stage. If Philly gets Tatum in the draft like a lot of people project them to, I think they trade Covington. And with Oladipo, you're getting a better player that still hasn't reached his ceiling with McDermott as additional reimbursement. If your Presti, this thought has to enter your mind at some point or the other.

Oladipo made .1 fewer three's than covington and shot 3% better.

[Funcrusher]

Well I'm not even saying that Oladipo isn't a better three point shooter than Covington, not to mention just an all around better player, and your certainly not getting equal returns in this trade. But your hardly gonna be able to get equal returns trading an Oladipo or Kanter, especially with clearing cap space (presumably), being one of your biggest objectives. I still think you would be getting a better fit in Covington. Maybe if we traded for Covington and a backup pg in McConell the immediate impact of moving a guy like Oladipo wouldn't be too severe, especially with the mindset that there are still more deals to make to improve the team.

[Funcrusher]

So ultimately, in this specific scenario, I think it's not about getting the better players but the better FIT. You have to admit this team is weirdly constructed and lacks a strong identity.

[bondom34]

So ultimately, in this specific scenario, I think it's not about getting the better players but the better FIT. You have to admit this team is weirdly constructed and lacks a strong identity.

Welcome to the boards!

Fit is great, but the value is really poor. So you end up losing pretty badly there. And what do you pay Covington in a year when he's due a contract? Because the cap will be rising again and he's going to want to get paid. Not only that but he's unrestricted, so he could just go.

[oken]

You would only wish, Covington is nr.1 in NBA in deflections, TJ McConnell is just one reliable jumper away from being a very good player and Philly would not make such trades, it would be so "un-process". But I would love to see any of these guys here next season:
-Tyler Ullis (draft gem, don't think PHX would trade him)
-TJ McConnell (undrafted, part of the process)
-George Hill (UFA, current 8mln, my favorite off-season move)
-Deron Williams (UFA, 5-8 mln?)
-Milos Teodosic (8-9mln? http://ballineurope.com/milos-teodosic-the-nba-and-everything-else-5845/)

[bondom34]

You would only wish, Covington is nr.1 in NBA in deflections, TJ McConnell is just one reliable jumper away from being a very good player and Philly would not make such trades, it would be so "un-process". But I would love to see any of these guys here next season:
-Tyler Ullis (draft gem, don't think PHX would trade him)
-TJ McConnell (undrafted, part of the process)
-George Hill (UFA, current 8mln, my favorite off-season move)
-Deron Williams (UFA, 5-8 mln?)
-Milos Teodosic (8-9mln? http://ballineurope.com/milos-teodosic-the-nba-and-everything-else-5845/)

They don't have money for any of those free agents. Maybe D Will will take MLE money, but Hill's getting closer to 20 mil a year, and RoCo probably won't be much cheaper. He's probably looking at around Dipo money.

[Funcrusher]

So ultimately, in this specific scenario, I think it's not about getting the better players but the better FIT. You have to admit this team is weirdly constructed and lacks a strong identity.

Welcome to the boards!

Thank you! Appreciate it.

[Funcrusher]

Those are good points all around. Certainly there's no guarantee that Covington doesn't opt out, but if he does decide to stay in Philly for another year, I do think it's something Presti has to at least consider. I know RoCo will probably want something near Oladipo money next year (though at this point I don't think he's worth 21 mil), but I think, with the special circumstances that OKC is in (Durant leaving last year, 28 year old Westbrook suddenly not in the best position to win a chip), it's important to maximize our roster for next season and not look too far ahead. The worst that could happen were we to get RoCo, would be that he gives us a productive 2017-2018, asks for too much in the offseason, and we let him walk. Of course it's not as simple as that, and the repercussions in the future could be significant, but, at this point, I'm far more pro-gunslinger than I am pro-wait around and see.

[bondom34]

Those are good points all around. Certainly there's no guarantee that Covington doesn't opt out, but if he does decide to stay in Philly for another year, I do think it's something Presti has to at least consider. I know RoCo will probably want something near Oladipo money next year (though at this point I don't think he's worth 21 mil), but I think, with the special circumstances that OKC is in (Durant leaving last year, 28 year old Westbrook suddenly not in the best position to win a chip), it's important to maximize our roster for next season and not look too far ahead. The worst that could happen were we to get RoCo, would be that he gives us a productive 2017-2018, asks for too much in the offseason, and we let him walk. Of course it's not as simple as that, and the repercussions in the future could be significant, but, at this point, I'm far more pro-gunslinger than I am pro-wait around and see.

I don't see how it maximizes the roster. You're losing the only non-Russ ball handler for a wing who doesn't handle the ball, it fixes a problem and exacerbates another simultaneously. I love love love RoCo (live near Philly and watch them a bunch) but not at that price.

[Funcrusher]

Your right. I guess I was thinking about that scenario assuming that we could possibly get a **** version of oladipo trading Kanter packaged with maybe a Sabonis or a draft pick to fill that hole.

[bondom34]

Your right. I guess I was thinking about that scenario assuming that we could possibly get a **** version of oladipo trading Kanter packaged with maybe a Sabonis or a draft pick to fill that hole.

I'm w/ you on Covington, just not for VO.

Still hope Presti can work some magic.

[Funcrusher]

Damn . I mean, I'm with you, I don't want to trade Oladipo and lose another playmaker but I have no idea how this team can legitimately be made better in the offseason. Man, life is hard as a thunder fan when one of your superstar players has an epiphany that he wants to leave the team without notifying them in advance

[bondom34]

Damn . I mean, I'm with you, I don't want to trade Oladipo and lose another playmaker but I have no idea how this team can legitimately be made better in the offseason. Man, life is hard as a thunder fan when one of your superstar players has an epiphany that he wants to leave the team without notifying them in advance

At least w/ Russ, we'll know in advance. Pretty sure he's a straight shooter. Honestly, if this team can move Kanter for a contributor I think they're in good shape, no idea what's coming other than I figure Russ and Steven are around a while.

[ThunderBolt]

How high could we move up in the draft if we traded oladipo? Maybe coupled him with our pick on draft night. Obviously we aren't getting top 5, but potentially top ten? Obviously it's a huge risk but some rookies can be solid contributors their first year. If Oladipo is traded and Kanter salary is essentially dumped, we could have a high draft pick and still possibly have cash to spend depending on who Vic is traded for.