What happens if George leaves this year?

[ThunderBolt]

Vecsey reporting PG is committed to re-sign with OKC. We're screwed.

it would explain sam presti's inaction if this was the case- but there are a lot of other explanations as well.

i'm kind of shocked how many media and nba players think he's staying.

When I read that I thought if true, it could explain why no moves were made. Perhaps PG said that he was going to resign, the team had shown him enough already and dont piss away assets on guys like Bellinelli. It makes sense for the team to hold on to its assets to give them more flexibility in the offseason if they didn’t see a move out there that they considered a difference maker. Regroup in the offseason, shore up some areas of weakness and try again.

On the flip side, I thought Vescey is full of s**t and maybe PG has already indicated he is not coming back so the team decided to hold on to whatever assets it had left to start a rebuild.

Those are really the only two reasons I can see for not making a a move.

A third option being that teams like Memphis would rather let Evans walk than be stuck with Abrines or Singler even if it meant getting a second round pick.

[Atomic Punk]

it would explain sam presti's inaction if this was the case- but there are a lot of other explanations as well.

i'm kind of shocked how many media and nba players think he's staying.

When I read that I thought if true, it could explain why no moves were made. Perhaps PG said that he was going to resign, the team had shown him enough already and dont piss away assets on guys like Bellinelli. It makes sense for the team to hold on to its assets to give them more flexibility in the offseason if they didn’t see a move out there that they considered a difference maker. Regroup in the offseason, shore up some areas of weakness and try again.

On the flip side, I thought Vescey is full of s**t and maybe PG has already indicated he is not coming back so the team decided to hold on to whatever assets it had left to start a rebuild.

Those are really the only two reasons I can see for not making a a move.

A third option being that teams like Memphis would rather let Evans walk than be stuck with Abrines or Singler even if it meant getting a second round pick.

True, but I think that there must have been options out there, especially if they were willing to include Ferg.

[Pillendreher]

Vecsey reporting PG is committed to re-sign with OKC. We're screwed.

Does this guy have an inside track on George or this is just some play to get people to pay for his Patreon?

[Atomic Punk]

Vecsey reporting PG is committed to re-sign with OKC. We're screwed.

Does this guy have an inside track on George or this is just some play to get people to pay for his Patreon?

His track record is spotty at best. I know for a fact that George Karl and some Sonics players wanted to kill the guy over some “reporting” he did on the team in the mid 90’s.

[Sun_Tzu]

The league really **** up with the Cap Spike. They should have never let that happen like this. You basically got two to three straight FA classes overpaid and now guys will get underpaid because it will take years for the bad contracts to come off the books.
The only team that really benefited from this is the Warriors: This crazy anamoly enabled them to go after a Top 5 player and now their opponents can't even spend money to catch up because the cap isn't climbing anymore.

It really surprises me that front offices didn’t see it coming.

Afaik the cap projections were more 'aggressive' before the start of last season, as in the cap spiking would be going on for quite some time (like 5-10 million every season). But even under that assumption, a lot of these contracts were just straight up horrible (and everybody could see that). So I don't know what they were thinking.

Exhibit A - Portland Trailblazers
If you are ever depressed about the Thunder cap situation, go take a look at the Portland contracts.

[slick_watts]

Vecsey reporting PG is committed to re-sign with OKC. We're screwed.

Does this guy have an inside track on George or this is just some play to get people to pay for his Patreon?

His track record is spotty at best. I know for a fact that George Karl and some Sonics players wanted to kill the guy over some “reporting” he did on the team in the mid 90’s.

vecsey accused nate mcmillan about milking his injuries in the mid-90's because he was going to be a free agent. he also got into a fight in a seattle toy store. he was also the one to report that shawn kemp was an alcoholic. the last one was the big one since kemp reportedly shared this in a players only meeting, and no one knew where vecsey got it from.

that was his thing though back then. skip bayless type.

[Atomic Punk]

Does this guy have an inside track on George or this is just some play to get people to pay for his Patreon?

His track record is spotty at best. I know for a fact that George Karl and some Sonics players wanted to kill the guy over some “reporting” he did on the team in the mid 90’s.

vecsey accused nate mcmillan about milking his injuries in the mid-90's because he was going to be a free agent. he also got into a fight in a seattle toy store. he was also the one to report that shawn kemp was an alcoholic. the last one was the big one since kemp reportedly shared this in a players only meeting, and no one knew where vecsey got it from.

that was his thing though back then. skip bayless type.

It was always the timing of his “reports” that I found suspect. That and he would be very subtle about how he would break certain stories, a lot of wink, wink, so to speak. He and George literally hated each other. George thought that Vecsey had an inside source that was fairly high up in the organization and this person was feeding stuff to Vecsey in an attempt to undermine him. Of course George thought that the entire universe was out to get him so.....Those were some fun times in Sonics Land.

[NOOB77]

I think PG signs a 1+1 with us and Melo opts in. They give it one more year and hope Roberson comes back healthy IMO. Then after next year Melo and PG will be gone if they go two years without WCFs. The only way my opinioin changes is if LBJ goes to LAL.

[ThunderBolt]

I’m not looking to bounce around and play for multiple teams throughout my career," George said. "The decision I make will ultimately be to build something. So, this next decision, whatever it is, is to make sure I’m there for a duration."

http://newsok.com/paul-george-answers-questions-about-his-future-...-and-so-does-russell-westbrook/article/5583861

I really hope this is true. The idea of a one year deal just doesn’t appeal to me.

[Pillendreher]

I’m not looking to bounce around and play for multiple teams throughout my career," George said. "The decision I make will ultimately be to build something. So, this next decision, whatever it is, is to make sure I’m there for a duration."

http://newsok.com/paul-george-answers-questions-about-his-future-...-and-so-does-russell-westbrook/article/5583861

I really hope this is true. The idea of a one year deal just doesn’t appeal to me.

If that indeed is true, it might come down to what team can offer him the most over the next couple of years (ie during his prime).

[spearsy23]

Oddly I feel a lot more like he might stay than our record should indicate.

[Pillendreher]

Oddly I feel a lot more like he might stay than our record should indicate.

So I'm not the only one believing in Playoff Ferguson.

[bondom34]

Outside Philly I just don't see any realistic options if its about basketball.

[Pillendreher]

[getrichordie]

We would essentially be faced with two scenarios. George leaves and Melo opts in and we have no cap room, or George and Melo both leave and we have cap room.

My guess if is if George leaves and Melo opts in, then we are more likely to trade Russ and rebuild. If not, we would essentially be wasting another year of russ’ prime waiting for Melo’s deal to expire before we could pursue anyone.

If George leaves and Melo opts out will we try to use our cap space to sign some decent players at a low price? I believe only four teams are projected to have cap space next year. This scenario would make OKC the fifth team.

$93,903,221 would be the exact payroll figure correct? That leaves us $7,096,779 in cap space and an $8-9 million Mid-Level Exception. Also, it should be noted that doesn't count cap holds on Huestis, Grant, Collison, and Felton.

So the roster looks like this (assuming Roberson is still dealing with the injury) if that is the route we are going in:

Westbrook/x
x/Abrines/Ferguson
x/x/Singler
x/Patterson
Adams/Johnson

That's five huge holes to fill for a contender:

- starting 2
- starting 3
- starting 4
- back-up wing
- back-up big

...

$15,000,000 ain't gonna get it done.

Question, though! Can teams go over the cap to sign our own non-bird UFA (Felton, Grant, Huestis)?

[Kizz Fastfists]

The cap holds for Felton, Grant and Huestis would be there until they renounced their rights. They would only be able to use the MLE. The MLE counts against the cap as a hold and they would have to waive it if they were going to use the cap space and since the MLE is more then the cap space they would use the MLE. There is also a cap hold for each empty roster spot of about $600K. They should have bird rights for Grant and Huestis. They should not have early bird rights on Felton.

[thekaoswithin]

The cap holds for Felton, Grant and Huestis would be there until they renounced their rights. They would only be able to use the MLE. The MLE counts against the cap as a hold and they would have to waive it if they were going to use the cap space and since the MLE is more then the cap space they would use the MLE. There is also a cap hold for each empty roster spot of about $600K. They should have bird rights for Grant and Huestis. They should not have early bird rights on Felton.

Ring chasers could be an option, if we make any kind of noise in the playoffs this year.

[getrichordie]

The cap holds for Felton, Grant and Huestis would be there until they renounced their rights. They would only be able to use the MLE. The MLE counts against the cap as a hold and they would have to waive it if they were going to use the cap space and since the MLE is more then the cap space they would use the MLE. There is also a cap hold for each empty roster spot of about $600K. They should have bird rights for Grant and Huestis. They should not have early bird rights on Felton.

Ring chasers could be an option, if we make any kind of noise in the playoffs this year.

Potential ring-chasers that I'd take a hard look @ after renouncing Huestis & Grant:

wings:

J.J. Redick (depends on price, but good locker-room veteran, can help mentor Ferguson, smart player)
Avery Bradley (maybe we can get him on bargain deal?)
Nick Young (can catch fire and open things up for entire offense, would be ideal if Roberson can come back full strength; Ferguson won't be ready)
Mario Hezonja (wing with upside left to see, IMO; could make a Ferguson trade more palatable)

bigs:

Omri Casspi (assuming Melo opts out, can be head for cheap; if not, too redundant)
Jeff Green (same as Casspi; provides more rebounding, transition offense, better defense)
Aron Baynes (diet Adams; plays defense, makes hustle plays, doesn't need ball & very scrappy)
Greg Monroe (obvious want right here as his rebounding and second unit scoring would be highly valued; think a better defensive version of Kanter)

[HoopsMalone]

Melo is opting in no doubt. He's an expiring deal so I'd imagine OKC would try to bring someone in a trade since thats the best way for them to acquire assets. They can take a bad deal off someone's hands and get a nice young player or picks.

[PHANTOMPHOENIX]

Doesn't Melo still have a NTC? It makes dealing his expiring impossible. I could see him opting out if he is promised his current money plus additional cash over 2 years. I am not sure if it is better for OKC to just let him expire or get him to resign at 40 million over 2 years? Reducing his salary from 28 to 20 next year actually makes a huge difference if PG flees. On the other hand maybe its better to just wait a year for him to go completely off the books.