Are the Thunder more likely to keep Ilyasova or decline his team option in 16/17?

[RussetPotato]

Wondering if Ilyasova is staying with OKC or if there's a chance he becomes a free agent this year... ?

[Kizz Fastfists]

There isn't a clear cut answer. With the decision due on July 1st, the first day of FA talks, it will be interesting. They will probably be trying to trade him from now until the 1st for a player that would like to a team that wants to cut him to clear salary to chase FAs. However, if they can't either move Kanter, at least have a deal in place, or trade Ilyasova by the 1st I think they keep him. If they trade Kanter then they cut Ilyasova to get to around $20M under the cap. If they can't move Kanter there is no benefit to cutting Ilyasova because they'd only have, at most, the MLE to use anyway. They are unlikely to find another 37% 3pt shooting big for the MLE, Teletovic is the only possibility I can think of.

[RussetPotato]

Thanks for the detailed info, appreciate it

[slick_watts]

There isn't a clear cut answer. With the decision due on July 1st, the first day of FA talks, it will be interesting. They will probably be trying to trade him from now until the 1st for a player that would like to a team that wants to cut him to clear salary to chase FAs. However, if they can't either move Kanter, at least have a deal in place, or trade Ilyasova by the 1st I think they keep him. If they trade Kanter then they cut Ilyasova to get to around $20M under the cap. If they can't move Kanter there is no benefit to cutting Ilyasova because they'd only have, at most, the MLE to use anyway. They are unlikely to find another 37% 3pt shooting big for the MLE, Teletovic is the only possibility I can think of.

anthony tolliver, maybe.

[itzmrgigglez]

Presti said they are keeping him.

"The trade was for keeps"

[Kizz Fastfists]

Presti said they are keeping him.

"The trade was for keeps"

They also said yesterday that they were no where near trading Ibaka and then less than 2 hours later they traded him. Presti is saying what he needs to say to maximize the value of his assets like any competent GM would. Presti being a top GM knows how to control what the media gets from him and his people and everything that "leaks" has a purpose.

[Andre Roberstan]

Presti said they are keeping him.

"The trade was for keeps"

They also said yesterday that they were no where near trading Ibaka and then less than 2 hours later they traded him. Presti is saying what he needs to say to maximize the value of his assets like any competent GM would. Presti being a top GM knows how to control what the media gets from him and his people and everything that "leaks" has a purpose.

This. I trust rumors from the beat writers more than I trust what Presti says publicly, unless it's corroborated.

[Andre Roberstan]

There isn't a clear cut answer. With the decision due on July 1st, the first day of FA talks, it will be interesting. They will probably be trying to trade him from now until the 1st for a player that would like to a team that wants to cut him to clear salary to chase FAs. However, if they can't either move Kanter, at least have a deal in place, or trade Ilyasova by the 1st I think they keep him. If they trade Kanter then they cut Ilyasova to get to around $20M under the cap. If they can't move Kanter there is no benefit to cutting Ilyasova because they'd only have, at most, the MLE to use anyway. They are unlikely to find another 37% 3pt shooting big for the MLE, Teletovic is the only possibility I can think of.

anthony tolliver, maybe.

Darrell Arthur and Lance Thomas are available.

[Pillendreher]

I hope to God they either cut him or trade him.

[tmorgan]

If Illy's role is small enough, you'll be happy with him. Taking charges, playing physical but below the rim, and hitting (really) wide open threes is what he does. Otherwise, it's uncomfortably bad P&R defense and pump-faking out of open shots he really should just take.