OKC Thunder 2022-23 Regular Season Discussion

[Old Man Game]

Now that teams have figured out how to defend him, it seems like he’s lost his confidence.

You notice how many terrible passes he's started trying to force? My theory is because he can't really do anything else offensively he's increasingly pressing to try to make the passes happen.

Yea he’s definitely struggling but if poku can develop, I think Josh can too. Unless Orlando want to trade him for Wagner, I’m cool waiting it out.

I feel like I would have been cooler with waiting it out before SGA emerged as a elite level, all NBA type player this season. At this point I feel like there's a little bit more pressure to actually figure out how to construct a cogent roster around him. And for the time being I don't think Giddey is part of that. I'd like to see him come off the bench for a few weeks and see how that goes.

[Xatticus]

Yea I want to make a move now but I just don’t know who will be available. I really like Vassell but I can’t come up with any logical reason for SA to trade him.

I like Toppin. He's never gotten the run he deserves because of Randle and he hasn't been the defensive disaster that was predicted before the draft. I wonder how hard it would by to pry him away given the size and duration of Randle's remaining contract.

This is an interesting idea. Tobbin's 3pt shot efficiency went way up at the end of last year and is still ~40% for this year. His defence, ptic team-D, isn't that great, but he does supply a lot of energy. But what would you want to give the Knicks for him? Picks and your least valued player? one for one player swap? ... ?

It's really difficult to know what the Knicks would want in return. I just see Toppin as a guy that could potentially provide more utility in OKC than he is in NY. Further, I'm not sure there is a path towards him providing significant value for the foreseeable future as his path is blocked in NY. There is some overlap between JRE and Toppin, though I think they are different players.

NY might not value a pick or anyone on the Oklahoma City roster, in which case there would be no progress to be made. It's really tough to know what NY would be looking for. I'm sure they want some short-term help, but what that looks like, I do not know. Fournier is out of the rotation and Rose has griped about his role recently. I would give up Bazley with a bit of attached value in the form of draft pick compensation.

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

I like Toppin. He's never gotten the run he deserves because of Randle and he hasn't been the defensive disaster that was predicted before the draft. I wonder how hard it would by to pry him away given the size and duration of Randle's remaining contract.

This is an interesting idea. Tobbin's 3pt shot efficiency went way up at the end of last year and is still ~40% for this year. His defence, ptic team-D, isn't that great, but he does supply a lot of energy. But what would you want to give the Knicks for him? Picks and your least valued player? one for one player swap? ... ?

It's really difficult to know what the Knicks would want in return. I just see Toppin as a guy that could potentially provide more utility in OKC than he is in NY. Further, I'm not sure there is a path towards him providing significant value for the foreseeable future as his path is blocked in NY. There is some overlap between JRE and Toppin, though I think they are different players.

NY might not value a pick or anyone on the Oklahoma City roster, in which case there would be no progress to be made. It's really tough to know what NY would be looking for. I'm sure they want some short-term help, but what that looks like, I do not know. Fournier is out of the rotation and Rose has griped about his role recently. I would give up Bazley with a bit of attached value in the form of draft pick compensation.

The Knicks certainly are perplexing.

The Knicks FO have purposefully tried to build a 42-win team which will just make the play-ins. Obviously, that accentuates the chances of going on a long losing steak and the FO could then decide to tank - but that hasn't happened so far and there is no indication they aren't going to stick to the plan. So what they really need at the moment is more/better options for 3+D wings - with an emphasis on the D since Jalen Brunson is having a very successful season but does have defensive limitations, and none of Brunson, Barrett and Randle are great 3pt shooters.

Bazley doesn't meet that need. Otoh, the Knicks are accumulating mid-round first round picks, with the plan to trade them for a "star", despite having failed to do so in the Donovan Mitchell sale, so anything OKC could contribute on that front would be a plus.

[Xatticus]

This is an interesting idea. Tobbin's 3pt shot efficiency went way up at the end of last year and is still ~40% for this year. His defence, ptic team-D, isn't that great, but he does supply a lot of energy. But what would you want to give the Knicks for him? Picks and your least valued player? one for one player swap? ... ?

It's really difficult to know what the Knicks would want in return. I just see Toppin as a guy that could potentially provide more utility in OKC than he is in NY. Further, I'm not sure there is a path towards him providing significant value for the foreseeable future as his path is blocked in NY. There is some overlap between JRE and Toppin, though I think they are different players.

NY might not value a pick or anyone on the Oklahoma City roster, in which case there would be no progress to be made. It's really tough to know what NY would be looking for. I'm sure they want some short-term help, but what that looks like, I do not know. Fournier is out of the rotation and Rose has griped about his role recently. I would give up Bazley with a bit of attached value in the form of draft pick compensation.

The Knicks certainly are perplexing.

The Knicks FO have purposefully tried to build a 42-win team which will just make the play-ins. Obviously, that accentuates the chances of going on a long losing steak and the FO could then decide to tank - but that hasn't happened so far and there is no indication they aren't going to stick to the plan. So what they really need at the moment is more/better options for 3+D wings - with an emphasis on the D since Jalen Brunson is having a very successful season but does have defensive limitations, and none of Brunson, Barrett and Randle are great 3pt shooters.

Bazley doesn't meet that need. Otoh, the Knicks are accumulating mid-round first round picks, with the plan to trade them for a "star", despite having failed to do so in the Donovan Mitchell sale, so anything OKC could contribute on that front would be a plus.

Bazley is certainly a good and versatile defender, but the offense is a mess, which makes him a luxury piece. I'm sure the Knicks could use Kenrich Williams, but I kind of doubt Presti would move him. Williams really likes OKC and he is locked into an extension that stretches out well into the future. He is a stabilizing force for this franchise at present.

It's tough to sort anything out at present because OKC doesn't really have much that can help another team trying to win and because there is surprisingly little flexibility this season due to the dead salaries on the books.

[Dadouv47]

Any real information about Poku's injury other than he's out tonight?

[Old Man Game]

I don't understand trying to resuscitate Lindy Waters. The guy has been really bad in terms of net rating.

[Big nick]

I don't know where Michael cage was tonight but it was nice not hearing about what he does in his church league. Guy talks more about himself than what is happening in the game.

[getrichordie]

I don't understand trying to resuscitate Lindy Waters. The guy has been really bad in terms of net rating.

I think they are just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks and leaving no stone unturned. If you asked Presti, he'd probably say something along the lines of "you never know when things might click for a guy."

[NaturalThunder]

For those that didn't know, Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams played for the same high school in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Two very minor/small-bit players for the Thunder this year, sure, but as someone that has taught at that high school for 6-years, it's been a neat story to follow for us at the school. Since we're on Thanksgiving break this week, a group of teachers from Fort Smith got together and attended the game. I did not have the means to attend the game, but thought it was a cool story and NBA.com made a short video documenting it.

https://www.nba.com/thunder/videos/reunion-221121

[oreojenkins]

If the Knicks are seriously willing to let Quickley go for a first, we should be all over that.

[Dadouv47]

If the Knicks are seriously willing to let Quickley go for a first, we should be all over that.

I don't hate it but I would rather keep the picks for more established players. I think we have enough young players to develop if we want to win with SGA (exception for the 2023 FRP that should be high enough to get a very talented guy)

[kdthunderup]

Interior defence is still the biggest need for this team. Chet would have made a notable impact if he was healthy.

[Xatticus]

I don't understand trying to resuscitate Lindy Waters. The guy has been really bad in terms of net rating.

I think they are just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks and leaving no stone unturned. If you asked Presti, he'd probably say something along the lines of "you never know when things might click for a guy."

The issue for me is that he is really old for a "prospect". It must be very difficult to find players that will accept two-way contracts.

[Xatticus]

If the Knicks are seriously willing to let Quickley go for a first, we should be all over that.

Ehh... I'd rather hang onto a first-round pick. We already have Mann and Joe on the roster and both are worth a roster spot for the time being. If I'm investing a first-round pick, I'd rather get a look at something a bit different.

[oreojenkins]

Quickley can shoot and defend; he's a natural fit next to SGA (and Giddey fwiw). At a random FRP, he's massively undervalued. He's significantly better than Mann (who I like), Joe, etc. Getting a young, legit, proven rotation piece for a meh first would be such a win. And it's not like he doesn't have upside as well. I think the Knicks would be incredibly foolish to let him go for that price, but hey, they're the Knicks.

I'd love to add to the frontcourt, obviously. That move would likely have to happen after this season when we have more financial flexibility. So I'm on board in general with that sentiment. Quickley is just a unique opportunity we can afford as it stands.

[Big nick]

I think Joe should be taking Manns minutes for sure.

[Old Man Game]

Why have Giddey start that overtime? He was a negative 12 tonight. Worst starter by a mile. The offense just opened up so much when is isn't out three.

[Big nick]

I love giddy but you are right he has not been very good this year overall. He has small segments where he's ok. Poku though is going to make a very good player. Jdub is going to be awesome. The team is trending the right direction.

[ThunderBolt]

I think Joe should be taking Manns minutes for sure.

I haven’t given up on Mann but I’m becoming more skeptical by the game. Obviously if Poku can rise from the ashes, anyone can.

[Dadouv47]

Poku is the 3rd Thunder player I'm the most excited about (after SGA and Jalen, not counting Chet). It tells more about our lack of talent than Poku himself.