Summer League Notes

[Old Man Game]

No one mentioned anything about Dakari Johnson at all. That usually isn't a great thing. Better than being called terrible, but not by much.

My personal opinion is that I don't think he has the quickness to make it in the NBA. But you never know. The problem in OKC is that they now have about 5-6 bigs in front of him. Maybe a trade frees something up.

Always wondered how this works with the second round stashed players. If he's not nba caliber in their assessment why not release him so he can try to make some other squad?

[Old Man Game]

Is any of it from his camp or just people? Because a ton of guys seem to love LA, and I don't doubt it, and honestly don't really mind if he leaves, but I don't get it at all given their situation. Just my opinion though and you've been pretty spot on w/ this stuff so far.

If your entire family wanted you out there it'd be pretty hard to say no.

[bondom34]

Is any of it from his camp or just people? Because a ton of guys seem to love LA, and I don't doubt it, and honestly don't really mind if he leaves, but I don't get it at all given their situation. Just my opinion though and you've been pretty spot on w/ this stuff so far.

If your entire family wanted you out there it'd be pretty hard to say no.

From what I knew, his wife is pretty quiet. I think that she'd carry some/most cache.

[spearsy23]

No one mentioned anything about Dakari Johnson at all. That usually isn't a great thing. Better than being called terrible, but not by much.

My personal opinion is that I don't think he has the quickness to make it in the NBA. But you never know. The problem in OKC is that they now have about 5-6 bigs in front of him. Maybe a trade frees something up.

Since no one has brought up this name - any mention of what Kanter's future on the team is at all? He does seem to be happy in OKC, but sounds like they aren't considering him at the 4 which is for the best.

I can ask around more, but the general feeling is that they like him a lot. They don't see him as a bad contract at all. And they definitely feel like he should have gotten more pub for 6th MOY. They are very happy to have him.

Can we get some insider info on guys that have impressed and disappointed, both in play and attitude, so far from around the league? I think this is fascinating, you don't ever get to hear real unfiltered perspective as a fan.

[bondom34]

Since no one has brought up this name - any mention of what Kanter's future on the team is at all? He does seem to be happy in OKC, but sounds like they aren't considering him at the 4 which is for the best.

I can ask around more, but the general feeling is that they like him a lot. They don't see him as a bad contract at all. And they definitely feel like he should have gotten more pub for 6th MOY. They are very happy to have him.

Can we get some insider info on guys that have impressed and disappointed, both in play and attitude, so far from around the league? I think this is fascinating, you don't ever get to hear real unfiltered perspective as a fan.

He's been posting on other boards, I've been reading Orlando, NY, LAC, Boston, and Detroit at least.

[spearsy23]

I can ask around more, but the general feeling is that they like him a lot. They don't see him as a bad contract at all. And they definitely feel like he should have gotten more pub for 6th MOY. They are very happy to have him.

Can we get some insider info on guys that have impressed and disappointed, both in play and attitude, so far from around the league? I think this is fascinating, you don't ever get to hear real unfiltered perspective as a fan.

He's been posting on other boards, I've been reading Orlando, NY, LAC, Boston, and Detroit at least.

I'll amend my question then, Smitty do you need an apprentice to fly out to Orlando next year and carry your bags?

[Smitty731]

No one mentioned anything about Dakari Johnson at all. That usually isn't a great thing. Better than being called terrible, but not by much.

My personal opinion is that I don't think he has the quickness to make it in the NBA. But you never know. The problem in OKC is that they now have about 5-6 bigs in front of him. Maybe a trade frees something up.

Always wondered how this works with the second round stashed players. If he's not nba caliber in their assessment why not release him so he can try to make some other squad?

Draft Rights always have value, even if just as trade filler for when you have to trade something.

[Smitty731]

Since no one has brought up this name - any mention of what Kanter's future on the team is at all? He does seem to be happy in OKC, but sounds like they aren't considering him at the 4 which is for the best.

I can ask around more, but the general feeling is that they like him a lot. They don't see him as a bad contract at all. And they definitely feel like he should have gotten more pub for 6th MOY. They are very happy to have him.

Can we get some insider info on guys that have impressed and disappointed, both in play and attitude, so far from around the league? I think this is fascinating, you don't ever get to hear real unfiltered perspective as a fan.

In Summer League? I'll be writing a piece on that for RealGM over the weekend. I'm here through tomorrow, taking the day off from basketball to do family stuff on Saturday and then traveling on Sunday. I'll write the piece while I travel and hopefully it will post Monday.

[Smitty731]

Can we get some insider info on guys that have impressed and disappointed, both in play and attitude, so far from around the league? I think this is fascinating, you don't ever get to hear real unfiltered perspective as a fan.

He's been posting on other boards, I've been reading Orlando, NY, LAC, Boston, and Detroit at least.

I'll amend my question then, Smitty do you need an apprentice to fly out to Orlando next year and carry your bags?

Ha! I think you're about 10th in line for that opportunity based on those who have asked, my friend!

[Old Man Game]

No one mentioned anything about Dakari Johnson at all. That usually isn't a great thing. Better than being called terrible, but not by much.

My personal opinion is that I don't think he has the quickness to make it in the NBA. But you never know. The problem in OKC is that they now have about 5-6 bigs in front of him. Maybe a trade frees something up.

Always wondered how this works with the second round stashed players. If he's not nba caliber in their assessment why not release him so he can try to make some other squad?

Draft Rights always have value, even if just as trade filler for when you have to trade something.

Do they at least tell the guy he'll never make the NBA and should look overseas or something? Kind of messed up to keep a guy in limbo.

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[Smitty731]

Always wondered how this works with the second round stashed players. If he's not nba caliber in their assessment why not release him so he can try to make some other squad?

Draft Rights always have value, even if just as trade filler for when you have to trade something.

Do they at least tell the guy he'll never make the NBA and should look overseas or something? Kind of messed up to keep a guy in limbo.

Sent from my KFFOWI using RealGM mobile app

Well, he's under no obligation to play anywhere but his choosing because he's not under contract with the Thunder. The vast majority of guys whose Draft Rights are held end up playing overseas. The money is far better than the D-League, so they head that direction.

[spearsy23]

Draft Rights always have value, even if just as trade filler for when you have to trade something.

Do they at least tell the guy he'll never make the NBA and should look overseas or something? Kind of messed up to keep a guy in limbo.

Sent from my KFFOWI using RealGM mobile app

Well, he's under no obligation to play anywhere but his choosing because he's not under contract with the Thunder. The vast majority of guys whose Draft Rights are held end up playing overseas. The money is far better than the D-League, so they head that direction.

Speaking of which, get any feeling on what the team thinks of semaj? Since they're considering wilbekin I assume they don't think he's gonna be an NBA player?

Any talk about the decision to trade serge?

[Smitty731]

Do they at least tell the guy he'll never make the NBA and should look overseas or something? Kind of messed up to keep a guy in limbo.

Sent from my KFFOWI using RealGM mobile app

Well, he's under no obligation to play anywhere but his choosing because he's not under contract with the Thunder. The vast majority of guys whose Draft Rights are held end up playing overseas. The money is far better than the D-League, so they head that direction.

Speaking of which, get any feeling on what the team thinks of semaj? Since they're considering wilbekin I assume they don't think he's gonna be an NBA player?

Any talk about the decision to trade serge?

Not much on Semaj. They like him, but no real plans to sign him.

On the Ibaka trade, they are thrilled to have Oladipo and they really like Ilyasova too. And I already touched on Sabonis. All around, I feel like they are pleased with that deal.

[Old Man Game]

Well, he's under no obligation to play anywhere but his choosing because he's not under contract with the Thunder. The vast majority of guys whose Draft Rights are held end up playing overseas. The money is far better than the D-League, so they head that direction.

Speaking of which, get any feeling on what the team thinks of semaj? Since they're considering wilbekin I assume they don't think he's gonna be an NBA player?

Any talk about the decision to trade serge?

Not much on Semaj. They like him, but no real plans to sign him.

On the Ibaka trade, they are thrilled to have Oladipo and they really like Ilyasova too. And I already touched on Sabonis. All around, I feel like they are pleased with that deal.

Hey Smitty, have you heard anything about Waiters and whether he's expected to be brought back?

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[Smitty731]

Speaking of which, get any feeling on what the team thinks of semaj? Since they're considering wilbekin I assume they don't think he's gonna be an NBA player?

Any talk about the decision to trade serge?

Not much on Semaj. They like him, but no real plans to sign him.

On the Ibaka trade, they are thrilled to have Oladipo and they really like Ilyasova too. And I already touched on Sabonis. All around, I feel like they are pleased with that deal.

Hey Smitty, have you heard anything about Waiters and whether he's expected to be brought back?

Sent from my KFFOWI using RealGM mobile app

I actually asked the handful of OKC guys who were around and they said they really weren't sure. The hope was another team would act and they could decide to match or not match. They don't really want to be the ones to set the market, especially with Oladipo in town and needing paid himself.

There is a growing feeling that Waiters may end up just signing the QO and playing out the year.

[Old Man Game]

Not much on Semaj. They like him, but no real plans to sign him.

On the Ibaka trade, they are thrilled to have Oladipo and they really like Ilyasova too. And I already touched on Sabonis. All around, I feel like they are pleased with that deal.

Hey Smitty, have you heard anything about Waiters and whether he's expected to be brought back?

Sent from my KFFOWI using RealGM mobile app

I actually asked the handful of OKC guys who were around and they said they really weren't sure. The hope was another team would act and they could decide to match or not match. They don't really want to be the ones to set the market, especially with Oladipo in town and needing paid himself.

There is a growing feeling that Waiters may end up just signing the QO and playing out the year.

I could definitely live with that. Would help us get a better draft pick next year.

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[Smitty731]

I asked a handful of follow ups today before everyone cleared out:

On Waiters:

"Nothing new there. No rush from our side. We're letting it play out and we'll go from there."

On who starts at SF:

"Right now it would probably be Rob (Roberson), but we are a long way out. Maybe mix and match. Way too early to guess."

On plans for potential cap space:

"Well, the market is kind of dried up." which led in to a tangent of "KD waiting until Monday was tough. It really put us in a tough spot because we wouldn't react. The league needs to have two periods. Max guys go first and then everyone else or something. We lost the best player in the league and you can't replace him, but we didn't even have a f*cking chance."

I asked a follow up about Durant being the best player in the league:

"Hands down. Well he was until Russ averages a triple double for us this year."

I asked about that:

"We're gonna wind him up and let him go. We're gonna push pace big time, which Russ wants. We'll play exciting basketball"

Overall, the team is pretty salty. The McGary suspension really had people pissed off. I wouldn't be surprised if he's outright waived before the season, if not just given away.

Personal opinion, these guys need to step away for a bit and re-set if they can. It hasn't been an easy week for them.

[spearsy23]

I asked a handful of follow ups today before everyone cleared out:

On Waiters:

"Nothing new there. No rush from our side. We're letting it play out and we'll go from there."

On who starts at SF:

"Right now it would probably be Rob (Roberson), but we are a long way out. Maybe mix and match. Way too early to guess."

On plans for potential cap space:

"Well, the market is kind of dried up." which led in to a tangent of "KD waiting until Monday was tough. It really put us in a tough spot because we wouldn't react. The league needs to have two periods. Max guys go first and then everyone else or something. We lost the best player in the league and you can't replace him, but we didn't even have a f*cking chance."

I asked a follow up about Durant being the best player in the league:

"Hands down. Well he was until Russ averages a triple double for us this year."

I asked about that:

"We're gonna wind him up and let him go. We're gonna push pace big time, which Russ wants. We'll play exciting basketball"

Overall, the team is pretty salty. The McGary suspension really had people pissed off. I wouldn't be surprised if he's outright waived before the season, if not just given away.

Personal opinion, these guys need to step away for a bit and re-set if they can. It hasn't been an easy week for them.

Just wanted to say thanks Smitty, these threads have honestly been some of the coolest insight into the real NBA guys I've ever seen. Thanks for taking the time to tell us what you've heard and giving us access in a way we'd never otherwise have an opportunity to experience.

[Smitty731]

Just wanted to say thanks Smitty, these threads have honestly been some of the coolest insight into the real NBA guys I've ever seen. Thanks for taking the time to tell us what you've heard and giving us access in a way we'd never otherwise have an opportunity to experience.

Thanks man! I really appreciate that more than you know. I made it a goal that I wanted to give back to the boards as much as I possibly could, since the boards are who encouraged me to make a leap of faith and go for it.

[bondom34]

Just wanted to say thanks Smitty, these threads have honestly been some of the coolest insight into the real NBA guys I've ever seen. Thanks for taking the time to tell us what you've heard and giving us access in a way we'd never otherwise have an opportunity to experience.

Thanks man! I really appreciate that more than you know. I made it a goal that I wanted to give back to the boards as much as I possibly could, since the boards are who encouraged me to make a leap of faith and go for it.

Thanks again man, and looks like McGary took care of himself .