OKC Thunder 2022-23 Regular Season Discussion

[ThunderBolt]

Yea I'm going to have to disagree with this one. We aren't trading SGA and it's crazy to think he doesn't fit the timeline. The Bucks core has age variation. The Suns made the finals after adding CP3. Jimmy Butler and Bam aren't close in age. Lebron and AD. Middling is not the word I would use for watching a young team develop. We can't operate like a team that's scared of anything that isn't equal to the Warriors dynasty.

[Devilanche]

The only timeline I bother about is that next season we have to get better and improve the team . They have shown they can compete . Now get them some help .


If you always want to find the right fit , the right ages , the right centerpiece , we might as well rank in perpetuity.

[Dadouv47]

I’d love to add J Smith Jr but there’s no way the Rockets trade him. There’s a lot of smoke about them going big fish hunting this off-season.

I’m already running the tankathon machine and it’s frustrating. I promise to hold off on my SGA trades for at least two more weeks. But that’s about all I can commit to right now.

why do you want to trade SGA? What kind of return do expect?

I don’t see a clear pathway to true title contention, because Shai’s timeline is 2-4 years ahead of the rest of the team.

I feel like we are firmly in the middle and that we need to add 1-2 all star level talents before we are contenders, and one of those needs to be all-NBA/MVP caliber.

Maybe Chet Giddey JDub are those guys, but it will take 3 more years for that to come to fruition (maybe 2 in the best case?).

By then SGA will be in his final year and maybe, maaaybe we have the ability to get deep in the playoffs after middling around for three years. I expect that he will want to move on in free agency or we will trade him.

I’d rather have spent those three years with a top pick from this draft growing with Giddey/Chet/Dub.

But I would only do it on a massive return for Shai, not trying to give him away. I’m thinking a top 2 pick this year, + more. Maybe Orlando sends 5 & 7 + more and we move into the top 2. Something like that.

I said the same thing last year though. I could be wrong on all of that. It does make sense to wait it out and see how we develop, but I’m not confident in our ability to add an MVP type player outside of the draft.

I get what u mean but I think this year is proving the opposite. Chet's injury was a major blow to our timeline but JDub is already playing at a high level and could help a contender in the next years. Giddey is improving and we definitely have several good role players (Isaiah Joe, Kenrich). We for sure need Chet or our 2023 FRP to be a very good player or we are going to big in trouble, I will give you that.

I think keeping SGA and trading assets/picks in the 2024 offseason for a very good player/borderline all star gives us a better chance at contending than trading Shai for more young players.

[slick_watts]

the only timeline that matters is shai's contract.

[jake_swivel]

We have assets for days. Not worried about a timeline at all. Worried about Chet’s foot and that’s it. At some point, dort, picks, and maybe Joe/Wiggins will reap a helluva bounty to go with what we have. Will it win a championship? Dunno, but it will be super fun to watch play out.

[Xatticus]

I’d love to add J Smith Jr but there’s no way the Rockets trade him. There’s a lot of smoke about them going big fish hunting this off-season.

I’m already running the tankathon machine and it’s frustrating. I promise to hold off on my SGA trades for at least two more weeks. But that’s about all I can commit to right now.

why do you want to trade SGA? What kind of return do expect?

I don’t see a clear pathway to true title contention, because Shai’s timeline is 2-4 years ahead of the rest of the team.

I feel like we are firmly in the middle and that we need to add 1-2 all star level talents before we are contenders, and one of those needs to be all-NBA/MVP caliber.

Maybe Chet Giddey JDub are those guys, but it will take 3 more years for that to come to fruition (maybe 2 in the best case?).

By then SGA will be in his final year and maybe, maaaybe we have the ability to get deep in the playoffs after middling around for three years. I expect that he will want to move on in free agency or we will trade him.

I’d rather have spent those three years with a top pick from this draft growing with Giddey/Chet/Dub.

But I would only do it on a massive return for Shai, not trying to give him away. I’m thinking a top 2 pick this year, + more. Maybe Orlando sends 5 & 7 + more and we move into the top 2. Something like that.

I said the same thing last year though. I could be wrong on all of that. It does make sense to wait it out and see how we develop, but I’m not confident in our ability to add an MVP type player outside of the draft.

I think this is getting way ahead of things. If SGA starts to make some noise, then the math changes a bit, but we are in a very good place right now. SGA's improvement is a good thing. This team is in a play-in slot at the All-Star break and it is trending up. Many of the potential needs for a championship squad might already be on the roster. Almost everyone on the roster should be better next year. Holmgren fills a massive need and he should be ready to impact winning immediately when he returns. If some moves are necessary at some point, we are armed to the teeth with assets.

I wouldn't entertain moving SGA unless he forces his way out. He provides something that nobody else on this roster does and it would be very difficult to replace. Dealing him would set this rebuild back substantially. I'm not so sure that the window isn't already opening. This roster isn't going to be awestruck and they aren't going to crumble. If they fight their way into the playoffs, they aren't going to be an easy out for anyone.

SGA before the season:

"I know what I signed up for when I signed a 5 year extension… and I don't think we're gonna be losing for much longer."

"I believe in this team"

He was mocked by media pundits after he said this as the assumption was that this would be one of the worst teams in the league. Who's laughing now?

[Dadouv47]

We have assets for days. Not worried about a timeline at all. Worried about Chet’s foot and that’s it. At some point, dort, picks, and maybe Joe/Wiggins will reap a helluva bounty to go with what we have. Will it win a championship? Dunno, but it will be super fun to watch play out.

That's the only major concern/question mark for next season and main reason I think we should go after a big/PF during the offseason because I want us to next another leap next season and if Chet isn't healthy it will be very difficult and could be an ugly season.

We are going to have to improve our frontcourt for the long run anyway so we shouldn't wait too long (also I think several good PFs are available via trades or will be RFA this summer).

[jake_swivel]

That's the only major concern/question mark for next season and main reason I think we should go after a big/PF during the offseason because I want us to next another leap next season and if Chet isn't healthy it will be very difficult and could be an ugly season.

We are going to have to improve our frontcourt for the long run anyway so we shouldn't wait too long (also I think several good PFs are available via trades or will be RFA this summer).

Would be so psyched if we could use this offseason to move dort and some assets for a good PF. Move joe and Wiggins into 6th/7th man role. Start SGA/j dub/giddey/new PF/Chet. Use Poku and Dieng off the bench. Smash the league.

[Devilanche]

That's the only major concern/question mark for next season and main reason I think we should go after a big/PF during the offseason because I want us to next another leap next season and if Chet isn't healthy it will be very difficult and could be an ugly season.

We are going to have to improve our frontcourt for the long run anyway so we shouldn't wait too long (also I think several good PFs are available via trades or will be RFA this summer).

Would be so psyched if we could use this offseason to move dort and some assets for a good PF. Move joe and Wiggins into 6th/7th man role. Start SGA/j dub/giddey/new PF/Chet. Use Poku and Dieng off the bench. Smash the league.

I’m actually on the fence on moving dort . On one hand his defence is very strong but on the other hand he seems to be playing a bigger role on offense than he should . Next season at least I think he still have value as the team finds it footing on defence and we try to see if he can play the role on offense that he should have .

[Dadouv47]

That's the only major concern/question mark for next season and main reason I think we should go after a big/PF during the offseason because I want us to next another leap next season and if Chet isn't healthy it will be very difficult and could be an ugly season.

We are going to have to improve our frontcourt for the long run anyway so we shouldn't wait too long (also I think several good PFs are available via trades or will be RFA this summer).

Would be so psyched if we could use this offseason to move dort and some assets for a good PF. Move joe and Wiggins into 6th/7th man role. Start SGA/j dub/giddey/new PF/Chet. Use Poku and Dieng off the bench. Smash the league.

I’m actually on the fence on moving dort . On one hand his defence is very strong but on the other hand he seems to be playing a bigger role on offense than he should . Next season at least I think he still have value as the team finds it footing on defence and we try to see if he can play the role on offense that he should have .

yeah we like to complain about Dort (rightfully so) but his defense is still very helpful for this team. Lillard scored 20 pts in the first quarter while Dort was on the bench...different story when he guarded him.

[Dadouv47]

I know it's just a stupid rising stars game but damn we need to find a big that Giddey can feed (Chet is the guy but we need a back up just in case).

[Devilanche]

I know it's just a stupid rising stars game but damn we need to find a big that Giddey can feed (Chet is the guy but we need a back up just in case).

It could be also no defense played but yes part of me think we need another big other than Chet .

I’m still high on Poku / Dieng /JRE /Jaylin though.
May think different after coming pre-season if either of these 4 take another step.

[Dadouv47]

I know it's just a stupid rising stars game but damn we need to find a big that Giddey can feed (Chet is the guy but we need a back up just in case).

It could be also no defense played but yes part of me think we need another big other than Chet .

I’m still high on Poku / Dieng /JRE /Jaylin though.
May think different after coming pre-season if either of these 4 take another step.

I was mostly refering to some kind of "tradional" big man that can be very helpful with Josh passing skill.

I have an hard time thinking JRE, Jaylin and to a lesser extent Poku could be rotation players for a very good playoff team (I do love Poku though so I hope I'm wrong). Dieng is still super young and talent is there so time will tell.

[Devilanche]

I know it's just a stupid rising stars game but damn we need to find a big that Giddey can feed (Chet is the guy but we need a back up just in case).

It could be also no defense played but yes part of me think we need another big other than Chet .

I’m still high on Poku / Dieng /JRE /Jaylin though.
May think different after coming pre-season if either of these 4 take another step.

I was mostly refering to some kind of "tradional" big man that can be very helpful with Josh passing skill.

I have an hard time thinking JRE, Jaylin and to a lesser extent Poku could be rotation players for a very good playoff team (I do love Poku though so I hope I'm wrong). Dieng is still super young and talent is there so time will tell.

I think JRE/Jaylin/Poku max out as most likely 4th big . Small chance of 3rd big for Poku .

[WestbrookGOATed]

How would you guys feel about Russ returning to run the 2nd unit instead of Mann?

I'd feel like it was counterproductive. At least there's an outside chance of Mann still figuring some things out. Westbrook that's just a dead end.

Also, given the attitude problems, he's evidenced of late I'm not really sure they really want to bring that into this locker room.

I feel like at this point he knows he's older and not what he used to be, I could see him taking a role running our 2nd unit without any issue. If he did it with LAL he could do it with OKC, Shai is better than anyone on the Lakers and I'm sure he's taken notice. He knows how much talent the Thunder already have and he might be down to ride off into the sunset with a very talented young Thunder team that has potential as a deep playoff team in the next couple of years. OKC is the one place I couldn't see him being a locker room problem because it's home to him and he's already so familiar with the organization. Tre Mann has had a couple of DNP's recently because he hasn't been very good this year, not that he doesn't still have potential. I don't know, probably just being a homer because he's my favorite player but I could see it working out very well. Im sure all of the Thunder players know what he means to our franchise and city so I don't see any friction or push back for there. I think he'd be a great addition but I know I'm in the minority. I'll be honest though as much as I would love for that to happen, I think he signs with the Clippers.

[jake_swivel]

yeah we like to complain about Dort (rightfully so) but his defense is still very helpful for this team. Lillard scored 20 pts in the first quarter while Dort was on the bench...different story when he guarded him.

The perimeter defense looks a lot different with true bigs as a backstop.

[Zagor]

I don’t see a clear pathway to true title contention, because Shai’s timeline is 2-4 years ahead of the rest of the team.

I feel like we are firmly in the middle and that we need to add 1-2 all star level talents before we are contenders, and one of those needs to be all-NBA/MVP caliber.

Maybe Chet Giddey JDub are those guys, but it will take 3 more years for that to come to fruition (maybe 2 in the best case?).

By then SGA will be in his final year and maybe, maaaybe we have the ability to get deep in the playoffs after middling around for three years. I expect that he will want to move on in free agency or we will trade him.

SGA is not a Lebron James or KD kind od player with huge national attention, those kind of players have a pressure on their shoulders to win a ring as soon as possible.
To keep players like SGA, you just need to keep improving every year and try hard.

Look at net rating of SGA - JDub - Muscala lineup, it is +15. Now imagine it with Chet.
I expect this team will be ready for deep playoff run in 2024/25. And that is without possible trade for 2nd star.

Shai said something like he trusts Sam because he promised him they will improve every year. And you can see that clear path.

It's not like there is some juggernaut team in the West that we need to beat.

[Devilanche]

yeah we like to complain about Dort (rightfully so) but his defense is still very helpful for this team. Lillard scored 20 pts in the first quarter while Dort was on the bench...different story when he guarded him.

The perimeter defense looks a lot different with true bigs as a backstop.

Even if it would , having a perimeter stopper would still be useful from time to time .

How much would dort be valued at his new contract ? 1 first ? 2 lower quality first ?

[Dadouv47]

yeah we like to complain about Dort (rightfully so) but his defense is still very helpful for this team. Lillard scored 20 pts in the first quarter while Dort was on the bench...different story when he guarded him.

The perimeter defense looks a lot different with true bigs as a backstop.

Even if it would , having a perimeter stopper would still be useful from time to time .

How much would dort be valued at his new contract ? 1 first ? 2 lower quality first ?

I was gonna say a lotto protected FRP but remembered Josh Hart got that so maybe a lotto protected FRP and a pick in the 25-30 range. That's the most we could get for him IMO.

[jake_swivel]

Even if it would , having a perimeter stopper would still be useful from time to time .

How much would dort be valued at his new contract ? 1 first ? 2 lower quality first ?

It’s nice to have, but not necessary.

I’d want be moving Lu + assets for a big, not draft compensation.