OKC Thunder Offseason 2017: The Reshapening

[ts23_]

For my cap people - does OKC benefit from Westbrook waiting until maybe later in the offseason to sign the extension? Or does it make no difference at all because it doesn't kick in until next year?

Nope, capped either way. I don't know if he's either not signing, or just waiting, or what.

If I were Russ, I’d wait it out until Presti is done making moves.

Committing to a long term extension basically takes all of the leverage out of RW’s hands.

You’d like to think that Presti would continue to make moves after a long-term commitment from Russ, but by him holding out for the time being it could be more motivation for him to continue to move pieces.


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[Patches Perry]

For my cap people - does OKC benefit from Westbrook waiting until maybe later in the offseason to sign the extension? Or does it make no difference at all because it doesn't kick in until next year?

Nope, capped either way. I don't know if he's either not signing, or just waiting, or what.

If I were Russ, I’d wait it out until Presti is done making moves.

Committing to a long term extension basically takes all of the leverage out of RW’s hands.

You’d like to think that Presti would continue to make moves after a long-term commitment from Russ, but by him holding out for the time being it could be more motivation for him to continue to move pieces.

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Yeah I get it, and even if Westbrook were to leave, it wouldn't sting as bad as KD did because they're not as close to a title. Still, it would surprise me a bit to see him leave, especially with most projections pushing them into the top 5 team territory (even though I'm not sure I agree with that yet). Besides Cleveland or GS, which I can't see Russell being a ring-chase, where would he go that has a better situation for him?

[Dadouv47]

I really trust that Presti is making calls right now. I don’t see them dumping him in-conference, so we’d make a ton of sense. Give them the Bulls 2nd round pick too. I don’t really care about it.


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He's probably trying, but he's not the only one. We will see.

Only 2 moves but this offseason is crazy good. But I still feel insecure because it seems that Westbrook won't extend this year, which means a lot of headache if OKC is not doing good this year.

Agreed. I think Russ stays. Can’t really see a scenario where he doesn’t.

I know someone who’s part of the media in OKC and they seem to be very confident he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Can’t tell ya who they aren’t for obvious reasons, but you’ll just have to take my word for it

I also believe he's staying. But we were 99% sure cupcake would stay after reaching WCF and OKC being so good.

Just want him to extend ASAP so we can chill and have fun. If next season Adams & Patt are clear busts, we will be ''OMG Russ may wanna leave''. Those kind of stuff...

But yeah I trust your sources

[Patches Perry]

Westbrook has also played up the whole loyalty thing much more than KD, so I think he intends to stay. Intentions aren't always followed through, but it's comforting anyways.

[ts23_]

Nope, capped either way. I don't know if he's either not signing, or just waiting, or what.

If I were Russ, I’d wait it out until Presti is done making moves.

Committing to a long term extension basically takes all of the leverage out of RW’s hands.

You’d like to think that Presti would continue to make moves after a long-term commitment from Russ, but by him holding out for the time being it could be more motivation for him to continue to move pieces.

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Yeah I get it, and even if Westbrook were to leave, it wouldn't sting as bad as KD did because they're not as close to a title. Still, it would surprise me a bit to see him leave, especially with most projections pushing them into the top 5 team territory (even though I'm not sure I agree with that yet). Besides Cleveland or GS, which I can't see Russell being a ring-chase, where would he go that has a better situation for him?

Lakers are the only plausible destination and that I also think is a long-shot. It’s a media narrative to get clicks. Similar to KD2DC

[InTheSabonus]

My issue with Smart is that what happens when he has to play alongside Russ?

That's two legendarily bad 3 point shooters. And they will have to share the court for like 10 minutes a game. Even with Russell's improved 3 point shooting, playing two guys who've taken historic amounts relative to their low %, that's inviting trouble.

That being said, I'll take any upgrade over Semaj at this point, and you do know that Smart will be huge defensively. And if not much else presents, then I'd gladly take Smart. Just foresee some issues there, particularly if we re-sign Roberson.

[spearsy23]

Maybe they'll just bench Kanter into oblivion this year.

No better way to guarantee we have to pay his last year.

[spearsy23]

My issue with Smart is that what happens when he has to play alongside Russ?

That's two legendarily bad 3 point shooters. And they will have to share the court for like 10 minutes a game. Even with Russell's improved 3 point shooting, playing two guys who've taken historic amounts relative to their low %, that's inviting trouble.

That being said, I'll take any upgrade over Semaj at this point, and you do know that Smart will be huge defensively. And if not much else presents, then I'd gladly take Smart. Just foresee some issues there, particularly if we re-sign Roberson.

Russ is an average three point shooter now, and how would it be different than Russ/robes who have proven to be effective together?

[Dadouv47]

My issue with Smart is that what happens when he has to play alongside Russ?

That's two legendarily bad 3 point shooters. And they will have to share the court for like 10 minutes a game. Even with Russell's improved 3 point shooting, playing two guys who've taken historic amounts relative to their low %, that's inviting trouble.

That being said, I'll take any upgrade over Semaj at this point, and you do know that Smart will be huge defensively. And if not much else presents, then I'd gladly take Smart. Just foresee some issues there, particularly if we re-sign Roberson.

Russ is an average three point shooter now, and how would it be different than Russ/robes who have proven to be effective together?

And Smart on second line up could help with lack of defense from Mcbucket/Abrines/Kanter

He's not a great passer but good enough to be a good back up PG. We don't really need his scoring.

[Dadouv47]

It's crazy but I think OKC is the team that made the best offseason. We had a small window of opportunities and made 2 great deals. That's just theory, we will see in practice. We are still far from contention but Presti did a great job. Wasn't excited at all about next season but now I can't wait to see

[getrichordie]

Made a Summer League thread guys. Check it out. Includes roster, news, and highlights.

[bondom34]

For my cap people - does OKC benefit from Westbrook waiting until maybe later in the offseason to sign the extension? Or does it make no difference at all because it doesn't kick in until next year?

Nope, capped either way. I don't know if he's either not signing, or just waiting, or what.

If I were Russ, I’d wait it out until Presti is done making moves.

Committing to a long term extension basically takes all of the leverage out of RW’s hands.

You’d like to think that Presti would continue to make moves after a long-term commitment from Russ, but by him holding out for the time being it could be more motivation for him to continue to move pieces.


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Welcome to the boards, and a fine choice of college you've made .

[bondom34]

It's crazy but I think OKC is the team that made the best offseason. We had a small window of opportunities and made 2 great deals. That's just theory, we will see in practice. We are still far from contention but Presti did a great job. Wasn't excited at all about next season but now I can't wait to see

Agreed, I plan on renewing LP just because I'm excited for the regular season.

[getrichordie]

Read on Twitter

That's a good sign.


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[bondom34]

Some guy wrote a thing.

https://16winsaring.com/patrick-patterson-agrees-with-thunder-for-3-years-16-4-million-456f71d6e591

[NaturalThunder]

i think presti and the thunder exploit that veneer but it's curious how so many players leave the thunder nonplussed (waiters being the latest example).

does being a blue collar team mean you work harder than the other teams? do you think the jazz and the thunder do?

Of course not. I know that's a silly notion. Every franchise (players, coaches, front office) works roughly as hard as the other 29 franchises.

I mostly think of the fanbases of such teams (small market, lone pro sports franchises) that are blue collar. And, in a way, I think that can vaguely rub off on the team itself. I mean I do think there is still a level of bluecollar-ish work ethic in the front offices of a team like the Thunder and Jazz, because they know they aren't going to lure FAs to their town, so they have to be willing to gamble and strike out more in the draft, with trades, and through non-flashy free agency gambles. However, I do think the "blue collar" persona of the fanbase can sometimes rub off on the players.

the evidence that i have seen makes me believe that players find this approach patronizing in the long run. sam presti goes to great lengths to emphasize these qualities through the media. i wonder how much of it is actually a part of the team culture.

small market seems like a sufficient term to use to identify a team with the above challenges. blue collar creates, imo, an uncomfortable distinction.

Fair enough. Again, like I already said, when it comes to labeling a franchise bluecollar, I mainly think of the fanbase. From there, I unfairly start distributing that mindset to the players, coaches, front office, and overall team culture. I don't 100% agree that "bluecollar" creates an uncomfortable distinction, though. I firmly believe that it just takes a certain type of player to buy into the "bluecollar" distinction. I also will readily admit that when it comes to needle moving caliber players in the NBA, those players are very few and far between.

[InTheSabonus]

My issue with Smart is that what happens when he has to play alongside Russ?

That's two legendarily bad 3 point shooters. And they will have to share the court for like 10 minutes a game. Even with Russell's improved 3 point shooting, playing two guys who've taken historic amounts relative to their low %, that's inviting trouble.

That being said, I'll take any upgrade over Semaj at this point, and you do know that Smart will be huge defensively. And if not much else presents, then I'd gladly take Smart. Just foresee some issues there, particularly if we re-sign Roberson.

Russ is an average three point shooter now, and how would it be different than Russ/robes who have proven to be effective together?

One reason is just that I wouldn't trust Donovan to not play Smart and Roberson in the same lineup, assuming we re-sign Robes. Which of course would be awesome defensively, but I just think we should be moving on from lineups that encourage other teams to clog the paint or double certain players.

I wouldn't be upset, he'd obviously be an upgrade over Semaj, and he can lift teams with his hustle. But ideally I'd be wanting Presti get over his love for the Smarts and Robersons of the world. That's just ideally though, the reality is that Smart is probably a safer option than signing someone like Norris Cole again. Although I do wonder what Mario Chalmers is up to.

[Dadouv47]

My issue with Smart is that what happens when he has to play alongside Russ?

That's two legendarily bad 3 point shooters. And they will have to share the court for like 10 minutes a game. Even with Russell's improved 3 point shooting, playing two guys who've taken historic amounts relative to their low %, that's inviting trouble.

That being said, I'll take any upgrade over Semaj at this point, and you do know that Smart will be huge defensively. And if not much else presents, then I'd gladly take Smart. Just foresee some issues there, particularly if we re-sign Roberson.

Russ is an average three point shooter now, and how would it be different than Russ/robes who have proven to be effective together?

One reason is just that I wouldn't trust Donovan to not play Smart and Roberson in the same lineup, assuming we re-sign Robes. Which of course would be awesome defensively, but I just think we should be moving on from lineups that encourage other teams to clog the paint or double certain players.

I wouldn't be upset, he'd obviously be an upgrade over Semaj, and he can lift teams with his hustle. But ideally I'd be wanting Presti get over his love for the Smarts and Robersons of the world. That's just ideally though, the reality is that Smart is probably a safer option than signing someone like Norris Cole again. Although I do wonder what Mario Chalmers is up to.

I was wondering about Mario Chalmers last year too, but the fact that he went to practice with Cleveland and LeBron preferred to sign Deron Williams instead wasn't a good sign.

I think Smart can still improve a lot. He would be great for the thunder. We are improving our spacing and 3pts shooters issues, so I like the fit (not perfect fit but he's above average for back up PG so we will be fine with him). It's not like there are many back up PG in the market that are better anyway.

[getrichordie]

Carter gave a shout out to Huestis for how well he played defensively on both 3s and 4s versus Knicks. Good sign for Huestis. He really looked comfortable in his second game. Let him compete with Grant for back-up 4.

[retrobro90]

I don't think you can be reluctant at fit or spacing issues when you're talking about the talent upgrade between Smart and (a broke azz hasn't been in the league for a year having azz) Mario Chalmers. Smart is freaking legit and young and was a total stud in every playoff series he's ever played. Mario isn't even playable.