Instant Reaction: What Do The Thunder Do This Off-Season?

[DowJones]

What premium asset is OKC going to give up for Bridges? For Lauri? For Mobley? That is where you have to start any trade discussion. Piling on these draft picks in the 12-25 range only gets you so far. There needs to be a real premium asset coming back if OKC is going to get a player like Bridges or Lauri.

When did this rule kick in?

Imagine Utah telling Cleveland they can only have Mitchell if they include Garland or Mobley… or.. Ant for Rudy.. Simmons for Butler.. any premier asset for Pascal… I’m sure the list is very long if I didn’t want to be lazy.

We’ve seen multiple superstars/stars traded over the last few years for unknown future picks but for OKC they can’t stack assets?

I wouldn’t compare Mobley to Bridges or Lauri though. Mobley is much more valuable IMO.

If we are talking about actual superstars, sure make Presti pay til it hurts. But Bridges and Lauri are not that and OKC can have the top offer without offering that “premium” asset.. (an LAC first on 2026 or 2027 is pretty premium IMO though..)

Utah blew it up. They also got unprotected first round picks far into the future for 2 franchises (Minnesota and Cleveland) that had a chance to be very high. Those unprotected picks are more valuable to a team trying to rebuild than the 12th pick in a historically weak draft, Josh Giddey, and a 1st round pick of Houston or LAC 2 years from now.

For example, if OKC had the draft rights to Washington's unprotected 2025 pick, that would be high value. If they had unprotected PHX first rounders in 2027 and 2029 like Brooklyn has, that would be high value. How many unprotected first rounders can OKC put on the table from other teams, because their own unprotected first rounders won't hold great value.

[islandboy53]

Not exactly earth-shattering but I have a hard time finding an offseason I like better for OKC then Giddey + a bunch of picks for Lauri then signing Hartenstein

Chet/iHart
Lauri/Jaylin/Kenrich
Jdub/Wiggins
Dort/Joe
SGA/Cason

Hartenstein is probably looking for close to $20m (similar to what Poeltl got). I don't know if it makes sense to invest that much money in a backup C. If I'm OKC I'm pushing hard on ORL to get WCJ. He's a solid all around C who is a bigger body and can space the floor. Perfect guy to play 25mpg. Only makes the MLE. I'd overpay (slightly) to get him. That should leave OKC with more than enough assets to pursue a star should one become available. Try to extend Joe to a sub $10m/yr deal.

Yeesh if Hartenstein really is looking at that much, yeah, I'd probably look into cheaper options. WCJ is a good idea. I do think that OKC needs to get a legitimate heavy 5 to play 20-25 minutes a night both backing up Chet and next to him when OKC wants to go with a two-big look.

Whatever happens, OKC has to start making moves soon. They have 2 years of salary flexibility before things get tight. The time is now.

Agreed 110%

Hartenstein seems to fit the requirements perfectly. Why does OKC want to cheap out?

[Devilanche]

We don't need a star, but now would be an ideal time to add one. If we can't (probably we can't), then shift and try to round out the roster.

Do you think OKC would go after Hartenstein or Claxton? Both UFA. Seems like that is where I would start after star hunting. Neither are perfect fits but do address needs and would not deplete you of assets you could use later in a bigger star trade.

I personally would not, but I'd be curious to hear about other OKC fans. You make some good points, but I don't think that either one would let us play the way we want to play. It's going to be pretty hard for us to find a big that does what Chet does (even a lite version).

I’m going after IH after drafting Tristan de Silva

[bdpecore]

Bucks fans seem to be pushing to trade Lopez and Portis for a defensive SG to start next to Dame and a more athletic big to pair with Giannis. Seems like trading for both would solve OKC's frontcourt problem while not limiting their future payroll flexibility. I just don't think they have the pieces (outside of Dort) who fit what they are looking for so a 3rd team would be needed.