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First off this coming draft the Thunder will not get an immediate difference maker. None of the bigs in the early 20's will be better than Nenad. So landing that defensive, shot blocking big through the draft is a pipe dream. You might get lucky if you are willing to give him two years to mature. But two years isn't now, now is it? I would like to see Alibi on the team.

Secondly. I see Presti saving all that cap for the kids. I DO NOT see any sort of a free agent signing for say a Haywood type of guy. Clay and Aubrey over paid for the team and paid a boatload to move it to OKC I'm sure he would like to make some of that back.

Third I think Brooks did a great job this season, however I really think he could have played Ibaka even more in the playoffs considering Green was almost a negative value out there.

Fourth I don't see a "big" trade coming either. I can see Presti thinking "hey as is we gave the Lakers a tough series and we are the youngest team in the league where is the rush to pull the trigger"? At least for the core guys. Guys like DJ White and Mullens could be moved.

So these are the few tweaks I'd like to see for next seasons starting line up.

PG Westbrook
SG Harden
SF Durant
PF Ibaka
C Kyrstic

6th Green
7th Thabo
8th Nick
9th Maynor

Ibaka should be starting at PF and Green would really be best utilized as a 6th man.

On Championship teams guys make sacrifices. Is Green really better than Odom? Odom comes off the bench.

I would be a little surprised if Green complained about it though. He should still get close to 30minutes.

Durant 40 minutes (28 at SF and 12 at PF yes at PF)
Ibaka 32 minutes (26 at PF and 6 at C)
Green 30 minutes (20 at SF and 10 at PF)
Kyrstic and Collison splitting the 42 minutes left at center which is just shy of what they do now.
Harden 28 minutes
Thabo 20 minutes
Westbrook 36 minutes
Maynor 12 minutes

Things I'd hope the players come back with next season. I'd like to see Durant come back with about 15 more pounds on him and a few low post moves. Westbrook with a 20ft jumper. Green with a more consistent 3 ball. Ibaka a steady jump hook. Harden just playing more consistent period.

I would be a little surprised if Presti moved a guy like Green when this team is still developing. It's not like this team had any expectations this season to even be a .500 ball club. Right now Presti is playing with the houses money. Now in two years if this team can't get over the hump then maybe Presti moves Green or whoever it is to bring in someone else.

But most of us have discussed about how Jeff Green isn't a starting PF. Well it looks like Ibaka is a starting PF. Still doesn't solve the center issue but with the extra assets maybe Presti is able to snag one from somebody.

Or maybe they show patience and develop Alibi or another prospect in this years draft. It's not like they don't have time on their side.

OKC will be under the SALARY MINIMUM by a couple million going into the offseason. It's inconcievable that they will not spend $$$ on a free agent or a trade acquisition - if that happens it's probably safe to question their commitment toward putting together a winner. You don't 'save cap space' for your rookies - you can go over the cap to sign them that's the whole point of bird rights.

There have been a lot of talk about Ibaka / Harden getting into starting roles and how it would benefit the team...

Serge Ibaka needs to work on his footwork and ball handling if he wants to be a starting PF. Especially his footwork. I'd like to see Russ work more on pick and roll situations. If Ibaka is going to be our starting PF we need him and Russ to develop a rapport - and Serge has to learn to set better picks.

Above all Serge will have to learn not to foul. That's the limiting factor for him - he fouls about as often as Collison. You can't start at PF if you're fouling 5+ PER36.

James Harden has less work to do, I think he could have started for us after the All Star break. He shot very well to end the season and his defense has improved enough to where he's not a liability. He also has to foul less, and he has to work on finishing at the rim. He also needs to get a mid range game.

Nenad Krstic's spot should be up for grabs in my opinion. He's too inconsistent and too slow to fit in with our athletic team. I don't think we get Haywood, but one of the benefits of someone like him is that he can run the court with our young guys and finish. How often did Krstic get his shot sent back in this series?

wiff wrote:Or maybe they show patience and develop Alibi or another prospect in this years draft. It's not like they don't have time on their side.

One last thing.. people talk about not going for a big FA for a flash in a pan.. but that's exactly what we're heading for if we don't get that third core guy / second option scorer.

There's no way all these young guys will be on this team in four years. When Ibaka and Harden are up for new contracts, Russ and KD (and presumably Green) are extended.. that's it. There won't be enough money. I think Presti has to get that third core player, or commit to one of Ibaka or Harden as that third core player, and build from there like the Spurs.

Our 'window' is this period where we have all these rookie deals. It's the best time to compete because we have so much talent for cheap. We're not getting anymore high lottery picks, so this is what we've got. Once these rookie deals expire, it'll be much harder to keep this depth.

slick_watts wrote:

wiff wrote:Or maybe they show patience and develop Alibi or another prospect in this years draft. It's not like they don't have time on their side.

One last thing.. people talk about not going for a big FA for a flash in a pan.. but that's exactly what we're heading for if we don't get that third core guy / second option scorer.

There's no way all these young guys will be on this team in four years. When Ibaka and Harden are up for new contracts, Russ and KD (and presumably Green) are extended.. that's it. There won't be enough money. I think Presti has to get that third core player, or commit to one of Ibaka or Harden as that third core player, and build from there like the Spurs.

Our 'window' is this period where we have all these rookie deals. It's the best time to compete because we have so much talent for cheap. We're not getting anymore high lottery picks, so this is what we've got. Once these rookie deals expire, it'll be much harder to keep this depth.

Well I think that is the main reason why Clay Bennett is heading up the BOG with the new CBA agreement. The owners are hoping to be able to have the contracts structured so that they can afford four "core" contracts and then smaller ones for role players. That's the only way a team like OKC can really stay competitive against the big markets.

I really don't think KD or Green will be extended this offseason. I see them waiting for the new CBA then extending them. Ultimately saving millions and being able to afford another core piece.

My understanding, perhaps incorrectly, is that the main goal of the owners in the new CBA is to pay the players (all of them) a lot less money. If OKC doesn't extend KD this offseason and the owners get their way, KD is going to know that the delay was to avoid paying him a bunch of money. Since Clay is heading up the owner's CBA effort, do you think that might have a negative effect on the desire of KD to stay in OKC long term?
BTW, how does a lockout work with a players contract? If they are signed for two more years, and next season doesn't happen due to a lockout, would they have one year left or two?

There will be a mechanism, undoubtedly, to accomodate teams with player contracts signed before a new labor agreement (i.e. a Kevin Durant extension). Teams won't be punished for doling out contracts during a previous CBA.. just won't happen. If anything there could be another amnesty clause or something to that effect to help teams out.

One other thing to maybe keep an eye out on: Kevin Durant did very well guarding Kobe in this game, and in general. Kobe scored but they were tough shots, and Durant did a good job fighting through screens and denying penetration.

Could see more of KD at the SG spot next year, to make more use of Jeff Green at his natural position and accomodate another big guy like Lee.

With the economy arguably in rebound mode and there being valid skepticism over the original numbers presented by the NBA in regards to financial losses... I really don't think the new CBA is going to be as Earth-shattering as some people are making it out to be.

We're not heading to an era where the Kevin Durants are going to have their maximum salaries capped at $10 million a year, the sky is not falling...

^ Agreed.

There are reasons to withhold a Kevin Durant extension offer. If you extend Kevin Durant right away, it makes it awkward for Jeff Green - who should not be extended until his role on this team is sorted out. Or wait until he's RFA to gauge market value for him.

The new CBA is not an excuse to be frugal. If that's the tune this team sings with half the rest of the league fighting over one of the strongest FA classes in recent memory, then yeah I'd question their desire to build a champion.

You have to extend Durant. I think Jeff Green will understanf he didnt get extended because he is not THE STAR player of this team, he did not make the all star team, norwas he 2nd in the MVP race.

Green will be fine. Durant is a must extend now!