Thunder Sign Daniel Orton

[wizkid27]

Orton, a 6-foot-10 center, will join the team on a non-guaranteed training camp contract and is not assured a spot on the opening night roster.

The offseason additions of Perry Jones III, Hasheem Thabeet and Hollis Thompson bumped the number of players under contract with the Thunder to the league-maximum 15. Orton is expected to be one of a handful of training camp invitees who must fight to make the final roster.

If Orton does not make the team, it's likely that he will be assigned to the Thunder-owned Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League.

Read more: http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-adds-form ... z22cHzXNNB

http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-adds-former-mcguinness-star-daniel-orton-to-roster/article/3698308

I guess they give a hometown kid a shot that has at least some of the tools necessary to be a big guy in the NBA. They're turning into the old Sonics with their never ending list of project bigs (Mullens, Aldrich, Thabeet,...)

[sonictecture]

Much like the Sonics, if you don't have an answer at center you tend to keep looking. And if the majority of your cap space goes to perimeter players you tend to take bigger gambles on young players.

With 15 guaranteed contracts and Orton coming in as the 4th center his chances of making the Thunder have to be less than 1%. The 66ers missed the playoffs last season, so it could be that Hollis and Orton are creative options to improve the team, but with the unpredictability of player movement in the dleague who knows.

[Devilanche]

Wont read too much into it other than we might be looking at future options to save on Perkins salary. Can pretty much see us drafting centers from now on.

[Big_Mac79]

However unlike the Sonics of old the Thunder are not wasting lotto picks on these "project" centers

[cumaethor]

I think this meas that Aldrich is out. Aldirch is too expensive to sit at end of the bench and do noting. Orton if singed will probably be less then 1 mil per year(not guaranteed), that is 3 mil cheaper just in 2014/2015. That means 3 mil more for Ibaka and Harden. And Orton can be equally productive.
Trade Aldrich for some pick or money.

[fallacy]

Orton likely won't even make the team. This is just a training camp invite basically because we already have 15 signed players.

[Devilanche]

I think this meas that Aldrich is out. Aldirch is too expensive to sit at end of the bench and do noting. Orton if singed will probably be less then 1 mil per year(not guaranteed), that is 3 mil cheaper just in 2014/2015. That means 3 mil more for Ibaka and Harden. And Orton can be equally productive.
Trade Aldrich for some pick or money.

like fallacy said it's a training camp invite. It's probably nothing more than take a look and if no one sign him eventually, hope he's willing to play in the dleague for a season. Afterall, this season will start with Aldrich in the backup C role. Chance for him to consolidate it or lose it to thabeet.

[Bravely Done]

I'm almost positive Aldrich will lose it to Thabeet. He's undersized, void of athleticism, and unskilled. Sad to say it, but he looks bad so far. At least Thabeet is tall, long, mobile, and bad.

If all else fails, I can see Brooks moving Collison to the backup C spot, and PJ3 to the backup 4.

Maynor/Jackson
Harden
Cook/Thompson
Jones III
Collison

[sonictecture]

However unlike the Sonics of old the Thunder are not wasting lotto picks on these "project" centers

I will point out that Aldrich and Thabeet were lottery picks.

If you want to absolve Presti because he didn't directly draft Thabeet, I can agree, but Presti doesn't look quite as godly when you evaluate his ability to find a sustainable center for the franchise.

I'm almost positive Aldrich will lose it to Thabeet. He's undersized, void of athleticism, and unskilled. Sad to say it, but he looks bad so far. At least Thabeet is tall, long, mobile, and bad.

If all else fails, I can see Brooks moving Collison to the backup C spot, and PJ3 to the backup 4.

Thabeet is mobile? When did that happen? If he's not then all you seem left with is he is tall.

Collison is the safety net, but attempting to develop one of Aldrich, Thabeet or PJ3 into the rotation for long term sustainability and to give certain players rest within the season should still be a team goal.

Is Harden going to be the last Presti draft pick to be developed for the next 10 years?

[Bravely Done]

I will point out that Aldrich and Thabeet were lottery picks.

If you want to absolve Presti because he didn't directly draft Thabeet, I can agree, but Presti doesn't look quite as godly when you evaluate his ability to find a sustainable center for the franchise.

How many sustainable C's were available through free agency that were cheap enough to sign?

Thabeet is mobile? When did that happen? If he's not then all you seem left with is he is tall.

Yes, Thabeet moves well for someone 7'3. Neither he nor Aldrich have looked good to this point in their careers, but I prefer Thabeet's physical attributes.

Collison is the safety net, but attempting to develop one of Aldrich, Thabeet or PJ3 into the rotation for long term sustainability and to give certain players rest within the season should still be a team goal.

Is Harden going to be the last Presti draft pick to be developed for the next 10 years?

I'm confused. Giving PJ3 consistent minutes at the 4 would be active development, no? The same with playing Thabeet at the 5 as opposed to Aldrich?

[sonictecture]

Yes, Thabeet moves well for someone 7'3. Neither he nor Aldrich have looked good to this point in their careers, but I prefer Thabeet's physical attributes.

This type of qualification to Thabeet's mobility is pretty meaningless. Is he more mobile than Aldrich? I say no.

I'm confused. Giving PJ3 consistent minutes at the 4 would be active development, no? The same with playing Thabeet at the 5 as opposed to Aldrich?

Sure, but you've eliminated Collison completely out of the rotation now. Brooks isn't going to do that unless injury forces him.

The problem with filling out the bench with cheaper young players is that the playing time is no longer there to develop them. The minutes aren't there for Aldrich, PJ3 and Thabeet to play rotation minutes. Of those three candidates, Thabeet seems the least likely to get minutes to me.

[Bravely Done]

This type of qualification to Thabeet's mobility is pretty meaningless.

I disagree, most everything is relative.

Is he more mobile than Aldrich? I say no.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LROagZx4vsM[/youtube]

I say yes.

Given what I've seen of both Aldrich and Thabeet, though both need quite a bit of work, I'd prefer to focus development on the latter as he possesses superior physical tools. Tools that coincide with Presti's philosophy of building success via length, athleticism, and versatility.

Though I understand you're scepticism of Thabeet, if we're going to decide between the two I'd prefer the 7'3, 270lb, 7'6 wingspan disappointment to the 6'10, 240, 7'4 wingspan disappointment. The former simply has much better tools to work with.

Sure, but you've eliminated Collison completely out of the rotation now. Brooks isn't going to do that unless injury forces him.

I said: "If all else fails, I can see Brooks moving Collison to the backup C spot, and PJ3 to the backup 4."

Eliminating Collison from the rotation was not an idea of mine, only that if Aldrich and Thabeet don't work out I could see Collison playing the backup 5 and PJ3 the backup 4.

The problem with filling out the bench with cheaper young players is that the playing time is no longer there to develop them. The minutes aren't there for Aldrich, PJ3 and Thabeet to play rotation minutes. Of those three candidates, Thabeet seems the least likely to get minutes to me.

I guess we'll see, but I think the fact that Thabeet was brought in at all speaks volumes to our FO's position on Aldrich. Given what I saw of him during the summer league, If Thabeet comes in and works and plays hard, can set a screen, and rebound, I don't think it'll be very difficult for him to absorb Aldrich's minutes.

[sonictecture]

The problem with filling out the bench with cheaper young players is that the playing time is no longer there to develop them. The minutes aren't there for Aldrich, PJ3 and Thabeet to play rotation minutes. Of those three candidates, Thabeet seems the least likely to get minutes to me.

I guess we'll see, but I think the fact that Thabeet was brought in at all speaks volumes to our FO's position on Aldrich. Given what I saw of him during the summer league, If Thabeet comes in and works and plays hard, can set a screen, and rebound, I don't think it'll be very difficult for him to absorb Aldrich's minutes.

We definitely see the addition of Thabeet differently.

The investment in Thabeet was minimal, in fact that was the key reason he was added in my view. Presti was able to sign Thabeet for less than he could have resigned Nazr, even at the veterans minimum because Nazr had more years in the league, his minimum is higher.

Aldrich is still on the roster. If the organization had decided Aldrich wasn't developing as planned or was no longer a good fit, why not trade him as they did with Mullens and White? He's too expensive to be just insurance. But Thabeet isn't, his salary represents roster filler, an insurance player and low expectations.

What we agree on is that both players have an opportunity. But then so does PJ3.

[Bravely Done]

We definitely see the addition of Thabeet differently.

The investment in Thabeet was minimal, in fact that was the key reason he was added in my view. Presti was able to sign Thabeet for less than he could have resigned Nazr, even at the veterans minimum because Nazr had more years in the league, his minimum is higher.

Aldrich is still on the roster. If the organization had decided Aldrich wasn't developing as planned or was no longer a good fit, why not trade him as they did with Mullens and White? He's too expensive to be just insurance. But Thabeet isn't, his salary represents roster filler, an insurance player and low expectations.

Because it'd be nigh impossible to flip Aldrich for a more competent 5, which is what the roster needed, and so someone was brought in to compete?

I just don't think Presti is sold on Aldrich(I'm not), which isn't implausible given Aldrich has shown just as little as Thabeet to this point.

What we agree on is that both players have an opportunity. But then so does PJ3.

I'm of the mind that PJ3 will play, and early, I'm just not sure where or how often. Will he play the backup three, or is he to take on Collison's role as he ages? I'm very interested in what Presti has planned for Jones.

[bbms]

Believe Collison will be fulltime C backup, Ibaka's minutes will go up, Durant's minutes at 4 as well, and Perry Jones will play the rest of PF time.

[sonictecture]

Because it'd be nigh impossible to flip Aldrich for a more competent 5, which is what the roster needed, and so someone was brought in to compete?

I just don't think Presti is sold on Aldrich(I'm not), which isn't implausible given Aldrich has shown just as little as Thabeet to this point.

Like Thabeet competed in Memphis, Houston and Portland? If you were looking to upgrade the position and wanted to bring in more competition would you choose Thabeet?

Thabeet has an opportunity, but he has to be considered an extreme long shot, to crack the rotation or have an impact.

I'm of the mind that PJ3 will play, and early, I'm just not sure where or how often. Will he play the backup three, or is he to take on Collison's role as he ages? I'm very interested in what Presti has planned for Jones.

You mean what Brooks has planned for Jones?

I'm intrigued by PJ3's talent, but have little faith in Brooks' ability to be creative with the lineups. Would love to have faith restored.

[Bravely Done]

Like Thabeet competed in Memphis, Houston and Portland? If you were looking to upgrade the position and wanted to bring in more competition would you choose Thabeet?

No, I wouldn't, but given our looming cap situation our choices were limited. In my opinion, Presti saw a guy with good size, length, and a little bit of athleticism and thought that, with the culture they've established in OKC that he could possibly get something from him.

Thabeet has an opportunity, but he has to be considered an extreme long shot, to crack the rotation or have an impact.

I agree, but again, I'm not sure Aldrich is going to be our guy. And if he isn't, it's either play Thabeet or move Collison to C and play PJ3 20+ minutes a game. That or increase Ibaka's minutes from 27 to 30-32.

You mean what Brooks has planned for Jones?

You're correct, my mistake.

I'm intrigued by PJ3's talent, but have little faith in Brooks' ability to be creative with the lineups. Would love to have faith restored.

Well, now that you say that...

[sonictecture]

No, I wouldn't, but given our looming cap situation our choices were limited. In my opinion, Presti saw a guy with good size, length, and a little bit of athleticism and thought that, with the culture they've established in OKC that he could possibly get something from him.

This is why it's interesting to see if Presti's philosophy of filling out the bench with youth rather than established veterans will work.

Typically a contending team would sign a Joel Pryzbilla to the end of the bench on a veteran minimum salary. If the player is needed the head coach can be reasonably sure of what the veteran has left and attempt to hide any deficiencies caused by age. The player and coach can usually get through stretches of a game because veterans typically won't do great amounts of negative damage. With a rookie contract bench, the head coach doesn't even know what the young players will do most of the time. How many mistakes might Thabeet make by through lack of experience in a 10 minute stretch? Enough to change the outcome of a close game?

I agree, but again, I'm not sure Aldrich is going to be our guy. And if he isn't, it's either play Thabeet or move Collison to C and play PJ3 20+ minutes a game. That or increase Ibaka's minutes from 27 to 30-32.

Aldrich hasn't answered questions we have about his ability to play a rotation role, I agree, but he is the one player who has been in the teams development process for the last two years. 15 years ago, we would look at this as a rookie earning his playing time. Now, it seems to raise more questions than confidence.

I just don't see how you can promote the idea of development as a core principal of your organization without seeing Aldrich's development through the upcoming season.

Well, now that you say that... [/quote]
Presti hasn't given up on Brooks, so we probably shouldn't either. Serge Ibaka was able to force his way into playing time and showed up with skill much less developed than PJ3.

[HeartSouloma]

Thabeet would get some minutes imo. Just can't see Aldrich getting mins....

[HeartSouloma]

Thabeet would get some minutes imo. Just can't see Aldrich getting mins....