A Lazy (But Interesting) Comparison

[DocRI]

Troy Weaver was in the OKC front office when they built a contender from the ashes, so it’s easy to draw comparisons between that rebuild and the job he’s doing now. So, that said — who’s our Jeff Green?

Green was the #5 overall pick in 2007 (the pick they got when they traded Ray Allen), but by his third year Serge Ibaka was blossoming on the bench behind him. So the Thunder dealt Green to the Celtics for Kendrick Perkins, who was the last piece they needed and subsequently made the conference finals and NBA Finals.

My two cents, the easy answer is Beef Stew just ‘cuz Duren projects into the Ibaka roll of the raw prospect who blossoms off the bench. But Killian (if he ups his trade value) or even Bey could fit that Green-role of the highly drafted, young-core member who eventually gets moved for the “missing piece.” Seeing as people generally repeat what has worked for them in the past, I could easily see Weaver following a similar script again over the next few years.

Bonus question — OKC also swapped a low first rounder in 2009 (granted, they had three) for Thabo Sefolosha, who never got an opportunity in Chicago and then blossomed with the Thunder. Bagley may already fit this bill, but does anyone see any other diamonds in the rough who just need a chance that Weaver may target cheaply?


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[zeebneeb]

I don't think the comparison is lazy, as Weaver came from OKC. Drawing parallels is natural, as it worked there, so it's in the back of his mind I'm sure.

I need to see this season before I can really make any comparisons though. This is a very important year, to see where the team, and individual players are at.

[Snakebites]

I think we at least need to make the play-in for the comparison to be valid.

I also don’t see three guys on MVP trajectories on this roster.

[Manocad]

I don't see the parallel really since Ibaka was a direct replacement for Green. If Stew can hit 3's I can certainly see him playing PF alongside a more traditional inside C like Duren, which is exactly what I'd like to see happen. Cade, Ivey, Bey, Stew and Duren or even Bagley all working well together on both ends would be a dream.

Not to mention that I'm guessing the Green/Ibaka situation was a reaction and not a plan.

[Snakebites]

They did a great job building that team but at the end of the day the primary driver of their success was drafting 3 MVP talents in a row in the lottery-nobody has ever had a 3 year run in the draft like that. By that same token, their ultimate dissolution occurred when they failed to hold those players.

Theirs was a rare rebuild. Hard to compare really.

[theBigLip]

It will be interesting to see Weaver trade any of his draftees. Grant trade seemed preordained and wanted by both sides. But upgrading the draftees? Hayes is obvious, but not sure if we can get anything in return. Bagley or Bey are positions we will be taking a close look at this year - can they shoot well and play good D? If not, likely trade candidates.

[chrbal]

First and foremost I think weavers way of doing this is fairly unique. I think the closest it comes to is that of an expansion team. Other then a few players and the head coach, the team was completely new.

You had a strong focus on rookies, a mixture of decent veteran players, and then a mix of players trying to get another opportunity.

That or a person playing 2k. The first offseason was aggressive.