Most You'd Trade for Blake Griffin?

shrink · Post #1 » by **shrink** » Wed Mar 4, 2009 4:03 pm

Its my belief that whoever gets the first pick in the lottery should immediately offer it to OKC. I think that Griffin would be worth far more to your team than any other, simply from a marketing perspective. The Thunder may sell out their stadium now, but they do not have a large population base or the strong national media ties and sponsorships that help keep other NBA teams in the black in a declining economy. Worse, the Thunder can't draw from other states as well. Kansas hoops fans mostly follow the Jayhawks, and in north Texas, they'll gravitate toward the Mavs. Griffin would be a fantastic coup for the Thunder because he would help transition college fans around the state of Oklahoma into following your NBA team for years to come.

In other cities, Blake Griffin is "just" a dominating #1 pick PF .. obviously the best player in the draft by a good margin .. on a brand new, rookie scale contract. In OKC, he's a franchise.

My question is what offers that Thunder fans would make to get Blake Griffin, and at what point would they turn away and say, "let him go?" It seems you have four major assets, Durant, Westbrook, Green, and pick (you can try a few different trades for its varying levels). What's the most you'd offer to pry Blake Griffin away from whatever team that is lucky enough to win the lottery?

Big_Mac79 · Post #2 » by **Big_Mac79** » Wed Mar 4, 2009 6:26 pm

I would not offer more than the lotto pick and Watson
If we get him we get him but he is not a good fit with the current roster
Thabeet is a much better fit for our needs
I would not sell the farm if that is what you are recommending

BernardC · Post #3 » by **BernardC** » Wed Mar 4, 2009 7:09 pm

no thanks, We've got our franchise.
his name is Kevin Durant.

wiff · Post #4 » by **wiff** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 12:38 am

Winning teams put butts in the seats not home town hero's.

Everyone loves a hometown hero until they simply realize he isn't that good.

Post #5 » by **wizkid27** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 5:58 am

The sentiment (really with both Seattle and OKC-residing posters) seems to be that there is no reason to break up a great young core just to bring in a guy that happened to grow up around the team's new city.

The biggest offers I've heard get even mixed success on this board have generally been one of the 3 Non-Durant pieces (Green/Westbrook/pick), supplemented by another late first or two... maybe taking on a bad contract for an expiring in the process. Unanimously, nobody wants to give up Durant for Griffin. Depending upon who you ask, you might find people to be cool with a package built around one of the other 3 assets though.

Bottom line... yeah, I'm sure that the Thunder ownership understands the marketing appeal of Blake Griffin. But they also understand that the base audience has already started to bond with their own star in Durant and most importantly (as wiff said), winning teams sell... losing teams with guys from the area do not.

wiff · Post #6 » by **wiff** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 6:03 am

I think it's amazing that people think OKC is going to offer up their pick AND Jeff Green for Griffin.

Do to the fact Green just got done with a monster month of 20.5pts, 9.5rebs and 2.7dimes with sweet FG and 3pt%.

I think it's time to ask which ever team that ends up with the #1 pick overall what are they going to package with that to trade for Jeff Green.

Sacramento
Hawes and the #1 Pick for Green?

Wizards
Nick Young and the #1 pick for Green?

T-Wolves
K-Love and the #1 pick for Green?

Clippers
Eric Gordon and the #1 pick for Green?

Memphis
OJ Mayo and the #1 pick for Green?

Seriously it's getting old.

Those teams wouldn't do it. So why do they expect OKC to take it up the arse? It completely sets OKC back an entire year. You give up two core pieces for one?

Who in their right freakin mind would trade a guy who is putting up close to 20 and 10 for a kid who hasn't played a single minute in the NBA?

Big_Mac79 · Post #7 » by **Big_Mac79** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 6:23 am

Wiff is a genius

london sonic · Post #8 » by **london sonic** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 11:26 am

Well done wiff Im sick of other teams posters offering crap deals for Green and Westbrook.If they want these players that bad then offer market value and Green and Westbrooks value are pretty high right now.Back to this post Griffen would be a nice addition to the team but the best Id offer is our 1st and one of our late picks.If thats not enough then draft Harden,Rubio,Monroe or Thabeet.Simple as that really.Presti is a astute GM he wont get screwed just because Griffins from OKC.I cant believe that other teams posters really believe OKC or Presti is that stupid.

mcmokken · Post #9 » by **mcmokken** » Thu Mar 5, 2009 7:52 pm

Durant is obviously untouchable. I wouldn't be willing to part with Green or Westbrook either. They are still getting better and meshing together, no reason to break that up just to see how an unproven player pans out. I would trade our picks or any of the reserve/expiring players, but not the core, and I don't see any team willing to agree to that. Bottom line, not happening.