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I've heard of Royal Ivy and I think at some point I have watched the guy a little bit, but anyone know this guys game? I don't watch a ton of Philly, Atlanta and Milwakee. Thunder are his fourth team.

Seems to come highly reguarded as a professional/good locker room guy. He's 28 so he mature but not too old for the kids.

That makes 16 players on the roster if you add Cole Aldrich, Pleiss is staying in Europe.

I'm curious to see how Presti manages the roster. He must have something else planned because I can't see him simply cutting Weaver to make room for Royal Ivy. Weaver isn't cp3 but the kid has value. I would think Presti is coming up on a trade. I see a package deal.

DJ White and who?

What's a good package for Jeff Green and what?

Presti has picks along with Green, Weaver, Hardon, White, Mullens, Aldrich, Collison*, Mo Pete* and Nenad*

*= expiring contract 5.8mil+ The can unburden a highly talented player from a bad situation.

Those are all nice assets. Not a Kenny Thomas, Gilbert Arenas, or Elton Brand's in the bunch.

If Presti is willing to give up some talent there are some players to be had. Worst case I see Presti at least getting a 2nd round pick for one of those guys.

Wow Didn't notice this signing.

I agree Wiffler, something else must be on the cards. Hell even as a non-garunteed contract Weaver has value. he has value a player too IMO

From RealGM wire 7/21/10
and Basketball reference.

His last name is: Ivey.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... oyal_ivey/
Oklahoma City Signs Royal Ivey

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed free agent guard Royal Ivey to a contract, Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not announced.

“We are pleased to welcome Royal to the Thunder organization,” Presti said. “His defensive mentality, competitiveness and well documented professionalism adds depth to our backcourt and strengthens the identity of our basketball team.”

Ivey, 28, has appeared in 378 NBA games over six seasons, averaging 3.6 points, 1.2 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per contest with Atlanta, Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Last season, the 6-4 guard, averaged 2.1 points and 5.6 minutes with the Bucks and 76ers.
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Basketball-Reference
http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... yro01.html

Ivey isn't that great but as a veteran minimum guy it's not so bad.

Even more evidence that Kyle Weaver will be cut.

slick_watts wrote:Ivey isn't that great but as a veteran minimum guy it's not so bad.

Even more evidence that Kyle Weaver will be cut.

Do you think he has value as a player or as a contract to another team?

I believe that Weaver and Shakur will leave the team with speed and professionalism with the knowledge that a talent like Royal Ivey has been signed to a contract that may or may not be guaranteed.

As fans we all knew that eventually some of the young talent would have to give way to players with veteran presence. Few players have as much experience at the end of a bench than Royal.

He's one of the better defensive minded guards in the league. Great signing

slick_watts wrote:Ivey isn't that great but as a veteran minimum guy it's not so bad.

Even more evidence that Kyle Weaver will be cut.

Come on Slick
Weaver over a Cook trade still?

By my calculations Cook can be traded this weekend

Anyone in need of some luxury tax relief out there?

sonictecture wrote:I believe that Weaver and Shakur will leave the team with speed and professionalism with the knowledge that a talent like Royal Ivey has been signed to a contract that may or may not be guaranteed.

As fans we all knew that eventually some of the young talent would have to give way to players with veteran presence. Few players have as much experience at the end of a bench than Royal.

I wouldn't be surprised. I've said it before, but Sam Presti seems to like having a 3rd PG, a veteran guy. Veteran minimum for Royal Ivey ends up cheaper than Kyle Weaver after league reimbursement.

Kyle Weaver is not a point guard, and he hasn't done anything to distinguish himself from the pack. Seems like keeping him around would just be because he's young.

Shakur isn't even under contract with OKC so I dunno what you're talking about there...

When it comes to distinguishing ones self in the NBA, clearly Royal Ivey has set a standard that is difficult to duplicate.

Royal Ivey came out of Texas as a combo guard who traditionally had played a lot more SG than PG. His career assist average is 1.2 per game according to ESPN, contrasted to Kyle Weaver's 1.6 apg average. I guess if Ivey is a point guard and Weaver is not then, the definition must be really complicated.

Weaver is scheduled to make $935,484 if kept on the roster this season, the veterans minimum for Ivey would be $884,293. After taking on the salary of Peterson and Cook this season is there any logic in trying to save $60,000.00 with Ivey if it's a matter of money alone?

Shakur signed a minimum deal with the Thunder at the end of last season and it's my belief the Thunder have an option for this season. Shakur played for the summer league team and to my knowledge has a training camp invite.

I'd agree with you if we were talking about better players than Kyle Weaver or Mustafa Shakur.

I would hope Kyle Weaver averages more asssists than Royal Ivey since he plays 50% more minutes a game for his career. Ivey's AST% (while of course not good in the scheme of things) is still better than Weaver's. Weaver's problem is turnovers. His TOV% is higher than 19%. 7% higher than his AST%. Again, if Weaver was a good player with any real promise I'd take issue with this move, but he hasn't done anything the last couple years but get hurt and play mediocre.

I cannot find anything that says OKC has an option on Shakur.

Royal Ivey is not a good player but neither are Weaver or Shakur. He's probably more of a PG than those two, though.

He is going to fight for the 3rd point guard spot.

slick_watts wrote:Ivey isn't that great but as a veteran minimum guy it's not so bad.

Even more evidence that Kyle Weaver will be cut.

Hey look Slick even more evidence that Presti would rather make a trade than simply cut Weaver.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... er_excess/

Hey Slick where are your stats to back up common sence?

That article is Darnell Mayberry's opinion, I don't think it's "evidence". We'll see what happens with Weaver within the next few days.

slick_watts wrote:That article is Darnell Mayberry's opinion, I don't think it's "evidence". We'll see what happens with Weaver within the next few days.

I cant say that I take Mayberry vvery seriously.

I am a Hawks fan.... I have seen Royal Ivey play while he was in Atlanta. I must say at times I like what he did and at times I didn't. He is a great hustle guy who also takes good care of the ball. And he can finish when he takes it inside, most of the time. But the thing I liked the most about him is his defense. I mean it was like Bruce Bowen, he just didn't have an outside shot. But I think he has added that to his game since his days in Atlanta. I haven't seen him play much since he left the ATL.

hes a great defender and a good person (i know presti cares about that)

i believe he won big 12 defender of the year twice

I love that we sign defenders and not scorers.

I hate to rain on everybody's parade but Royal Ivey is not a good defender. HE gets that reputation for two reasons.

The first is that he tries really hard and runs around like a chicken with it's head cut off. The effort is admirable but for Royal, it rarely turns into anything productive.

The second is that most people see him play and think he has to be good on defense there's no way somebody this bad of offense could make the NBA if he wasn't a great defender. As a Bucks fan I've seen some really horrible guards but Royal Ivey might take the cake.

On the plus side his name sounds like it should be a street name for marijuana.