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I'm thinking Russell is holding onto his extension as a bargaining chip next summer for why PG should stay. I bet if PG agree's to stay WB agree's to scale back his super max money to bring in some additional firepower for the team. Imagine they free up some Kanter money by renegotiating a more team friendly contract or using the stretch buy out on him and OKC puts together the payroll to add another all-star calibre player plus resigning WB & PG.

I kind of do not want to say the obvious name.... it seems too outlandish. But you never know.

Ontario wrote:I'm thinking Russell is holding onto his extension as a bargaining chip next summer for why PG should stay. I bet if PG agree's to stay WB agree's to scale back his super max money to bring in some additional firepower for the team. Imagine they free up some Kanter money by renegotiating a more team friendly contract or using the stretch buy out on him and OKC puts together the payroll to add another all-star calibre player plus resigning WB & PG.

I kind of do not want to say the obvious name.... it seems too outlandish. But you never know.

I've actually been thinking the same thing for a bit. I don't think he signs the extension. If he hasn't signed it yet....he probably isn't going to.

As you pointed out, that is not necessarily a bad thing. He gives up all flexibility if he signs now anyway. He's locked into a big number per year and can't restructure it. It also might increase the odds of Paul George staying if Russ hasn't signed yet. It may seem weird, but even if Russ wants to stay, it might appeal to PG to both be free agents at the same time. Then they can make the decision together rather than it just being on Paul George.

I think Russ wants to stay, but I think he enjoys the flexibility and leverage as anyone would and should. I think he also may not want to commit for a full 5 years. Shorter deals with options are all the rage these days.

I'm not going to lie, I'm much more pessimistic after being burned a year ago. I hope you're right.

Russ isn't going to re-sign but I don't think that means he's leaving. If I thought OKC could actually get anything of value, I would say trade him. Since they can't, I guess we'll just roll with it.

Afaik, Russ can't extend for less than the Supermax. It's either that or going into free agency.

Look, I am not going to speculate as to what Russ is going to do. After what has already happened in OKC, Indy and Utah, and what is happening in N.Y. And Cleveland,nobody has any clue as to what the hell is going to happen next. What I am certain of is that the Thunder have clearly indicated what the strategy is here: go for it, win now. The moves they have made this summer have very little to do with "sustainability" and everything to do with taking their best shot. Will they have a punchers chance with this roster, yes they will. But so much can happen over the next few months it is very hard to speculate what the end result will be. I for one like this strategy, I also would have been fine with a blow it to pieces strategy. What I don't like is a team constantly trying to operate in the middle. Commit to going for it or hit the reset button. I think the Thunder learned a very hard and valuable lesson when KD walked: opportunities to win it all come very rarely, if at all. How many franchises have won it all in the past 30 years? 10? The point is, if you think you have a shot, you think you have that one or even two trancedent stars, you toss all of your eggs in that basket and take your shot. If you don't have the horses, don't think you can get them or just don't think you can legitimately compete, then yes, blow it up and start preparing for the next opportunity. Half measures will not get the job done.

It's pretty simple, there's no upside for Russ if he extends. There's no extra money, so he might as well see how good the team is, see if George is willing to stay, and see what other moves presti has up his sleeve. If we're competitive he likely stays, if we suck then he goes. Not exactly rocket science.

Royce was on the sports animals and basically said that when George said he and Russ will decide together at the end of the season, George was talking out of his butt. If Russ doesn't sign by the first week of training camp, he'll be concerned. Also, it's a possibility that Russ would rather sign a shorter deal and be a free agent at 32 and not 35/36. He also said that he felt more confident that Durant would re-sign than he did Russ.

Knrstz wrote:Royce was on the sports animals and basically said that when George said he and Russ will decide together at the end of the season, George was talking out of his butt. If Russ doesn't sign by the first week of training camp, he'll be concerned. Also, it's a possibility that Russ would rather sign a shorter deal and be a free agent at 32 and not 35/36. He also said that he felt more confident that Durant would re-sign than he did Russ.

"97 %"

Seems George isn't the only one talking out of his ass.

bondom34 wrote:I'm not going to lie, I'm much more pessimistic after being burned a year ago. I hope you're right.

Russell is probably my favorite player, and if he chooses to stay or go I will support him as long as he doesn't join a team he should be trying to beat (GSW and HOU would piss me off the most), but I'm with you on this. I'm definitely worried. The league is in a place now where players are encouraged to bounce around and play the field, and they can sign 1 year deals and basically just go play where they feel like playing the next year. Fans aren't allowed to hold it against them because it's their life and so I'm afraid nobody is immune to this kind of social pressure, even Russell.

Patches Perry wrote:

bondom34 wrote:I'm not going to lie, I'm much more pessimistic after being burned a year ago. I hope you're right.

Russell is probably my favorite player, and if he chooses to stay or go I will support him as long as he doesn't join a team he should be trying to beat (GSW and HOU would piss me off the most), but I'm with you on this. I'm definitely worried. The league is in a place now where players are encouraged to bounce around and play the field, and they can sign 1 year deals and basically just go play where they feel like playing the next year. Fans aren't allowed to hold it against them because it's their life and so I'm afraid nobody is immune to this kind of social pressure, even Russell.

Agree totally, and I hate he's being compared (again, stupidly) to Harden. Harden had a financial benefit in getting his 35 percent max, Russ does not since he'll be eligible even if he just waits. But agree on the feeling.

If the thunder FO have such a good relationship with Russ then why can't someone ask him what's he's thinking about the extension?

Knrstz wrote:If the thunder FO have such a good relationship with Russ then why can't someone ask him what's he's thinking about the extension?

I believe that Russ could have already told them he was 100% gone next off-season and Presti would continue to push for one final playoff appearance.

Kizz Fastfists wrote:

Knrstz wrote:If the thunder FO have such a good relationship with Russ then why can't someone ask him what's he's thinking about the extension?

I believe that Russ could have already told them he was 100% gone next off-season and Presti would continue to push for one final playoff appearance.

I dont believe Presti would do that.

Knrstz wrote:I dont believe Presti would do that.

Then why would he have committed to a PG trade without knowing what Russ was going to do? You think after trading for PG he would then turn around and trade Russ? No chance. Presti is committed to this season. Next season and the long-term health of the organization have no effect on his decisions at this point.

Kizz Fastfists wrote:

Knrstz wrote:I dont believe Presti would do that.

Then why would he have committed to a PG trade without knowing what Russ was going to do? You think after trading for PG he would then turn around and trade Russ? No chance. Presti is committed to this season. Next season and the long-term health of the organization have no effect on his decisions at this point.

Royce young reported that at the end of the season
Russ told Presti that he one of the roster improved. He traded for George in hopes that the improvement to the roster would be enough to keep Russ long term. Just because Presti didn't make the move you wanted doesn't mean he just hopes to make the playoffs and then start over. There has been nothing reported by anyone that suggests Presti has given up hope of keeping Russ and is going for one last hoorah before he blows it up.

PG is a rental. That is not roster improvement that anyone would expect to get Russ to commit long-term. So Presti has put everything into this season. If Russ had told Presti he was leaving do you really think Presti would say that? Even if Presti were looking to trade Russ he wouldn't say that and he definitely wouldn't if he was holding hope beyond reason that he could talk him out of it and somehow get PG and Russ to commit next off-season.

Kizz Fastfists wrote:PG is a rental. That is not roster improvement that anyone would expect to get Russ to commit long-term. So Presti has put everything into this season. If Russ had told Presti he was leaving do you really think Presti would say that? Even if Presti were looking to trade Russ he wouldn't say that and he definitely wouldn't if he was holding hope beyond reason that he could talk him out of it and somehow get PG and Russ to commit next off-season.

It's like DT went down and every bit of negativity stored there went into one poster on RealGM.

Kizz Fastfists wrote:PG is a rental. That is not roster improvement that anyone would expect to get Russ to commit long-term. So Presti has put everything into this season. If Russ had told Presti he was leaving do you really think Presti would say that? Even if Presti were looking to trade Russ he wouldn't say that and he definitely wouldn't if he was holding hope beyond reason that he could talk him out of it and somehow get PG and Russ to commit next off-season.

I'm just curious, if Russ did sign the extension what would be your spin on that?

Kizz Fastfists wrote:PG is a rental. That is not roster improvement that anyone would expect to get Russ to commit long-term. So Presti has put everything into this season. If Russ had told Presti he was leaving do you really think Presti would say that? Even if Presti were looking to trade Russ he wouldn't say that and he definitely wouldn't if he was holding hope beyond reason that he could talk him out of it and somehow get PG and Russ to commit next off-season.

No he wouldn't say it but he wouldn't keep him. Your disappointment with the situation is causing you to assume things that likely aren't true. I agree Presti has went all in on this season hoping to keep both Russ and George. I don't agree that if Russ told him he is gone after next year that Presti would tell Russ he he doesn't care and then horde his toys by himself in the corner like a little kid.