OKC Thunder Trades and Transaction Thread

[Kizz Fastfists]

As of this year, I'm out on depending on players to develop. If we have a top 5 pick somehow, then sure. Let them develop in the background. But rookie-scale players rarely, if ever, contribute to winning. We've been burned by that before. While previous teams were ascending we were giving minutes to project players and it hurt the team. No more hoping on Terrance Ferguson, Cam Payne, Mitch McGary, Alex Abrines, Perry Jones, etc.

Trade the player, trade the pick, bring in rotation players.

How many rotation players do you think you need? Payne is the only player you mentioned that was a lottery pick. You are including a 2nd round pick in your list of players not to hope on and no one should ever be stuck hoping on a 2nd round pick like Presti has forced OKC to do repeatedly, Pleiss comes to mind. Those are players that were forced into bigger roles because OKC had no competent role players at the time. Right now you have SGA, Giddey, Dort, Chet, JDub, Joe, Wiggins, Kenrich, Jaylin and Cason as legitimate rotation players. Outside of a big man better than Jaylin it is going to be hard for a rookie to crack the rotation. There is nothing wrong with the bottom 3 spots on the roster being rookie scale projects if you have 12 legitimate rotation players.

If Presti guts the bench and starts playing nothing but rookie scale contracts and sub-MLE level players with SGA, Chet and JDub I will be the first to blast him for repeating his previous stupidity. Right now OKC has the depth to swing for the fences on draft picks or take older college players who are more NBA ready, i.e. Da Silva, and could theoretically crack the rotation as a rookie. When Presti completely screws up the next month, like he did last off-season, I'll go back to ripping on him full blast. Until then there is a chance that he takes that he admits he's still learning in his end of season press conference and starts listening to those who give him good advice that is in opposition how we all expect him to move forward.

[cjmcallist]

As of this year, I'm out on depending on players to develop. If we have a top 5 pick somehow, then sure. Let them develop in the background. But rookie-scale players rarely, if ever, contribute to winning. We've been burned by that before. While previous teams were ascending we were giving minutes to project players and it hurt the team. No more hoping on Terrance Ferguson, Cam Payne, Mitch McGary, Alex Abrines, Perry Jones, etc.

Trade the player, trade the pick, bring in rotation players.

How many rotation players do you think you need? Payne is the only player you mentioned that was a lottery pick. You are including a 2nd round pick in your list of players not to hope on and no one should ever be stuck hoping on a 2nd round pick like Presti has forced OKC to do repeatedly, Pleiss comes to mind. Those are players that were forced into bigger roles because OKC had no competent role players at the time. Right now you have SGA, Giddey, Dort, Chet, JDub, Joe, Wiggins, Kenrich, Jaylin and Cason as legitimate rotation players. Outside of a big man better than Jaylin it is going to be hard for a rookie to crack the rotation. There is nothing wrong with the bottom 3 spots on the roster being rookie scale projects if you have 12 legitimate rotation players.

Valid point on backend roster spots, and I agree. Having 3-4 projects is fine if it doesn't hurt the win %.

I'm talking about relying on draft picks to fill needs. For example, many posters want us to draft Edey or Clingan to round out the roster. This is what I want to avoid. If we need to round out the roster, we should not plan on doing it with rookies.

[Bremzi]

You can easily get a rookie big man and let him develop in a backup spot. Theres no issue with that as long as you get a quality starter level big man as well. Getting Collins and 10th Utah pick for OKCs 12th, ie trading up and absorbing his contract is not the worst thing at all. I also always thought Collins is pretty solid shooting it. The thing is that I think OKC needs a proper big man more than a Collins type of player. And then, if you absorb that contract you gotta look at minimum lvl players and thats just not hood.

If you can trade back Kenrich and add another big guy like Valanciunas, then you sure up all the positions.

With adding Collins Valanciunas, possibly Edey and only sending out someone who barely cracked the rotation - while also barely getting to salary cap floor - thats pretty good. Technically you’re set with bigs and you can also play 5 out with Chet and Collins.

My issue with solely Collins is that he will have a hard time co-existing with Chet vs teams with lumberjack bigs. OKC needs to get 1 themselves to square up in the paint and not be tossed around.

[Kizz Fastfists]

A name that hasn't been mentioned that I think Presti could consider is CP3. He has $30M due this year, but it is not guaranteed. I expect GS to cut him to get that $30M off their books. Presti could give him a two year deal and give a chance to end his career in OKC where it started. He was a rookie the year NOLA played in OKC and he had positive things to say about OKC when the team moved back to NOLA. I was in NOLA at the time and his comparison upset a few folks in NOLA. He was happy to accept a trade from Houston to OKC so he isn't opposed to playing in OKC. He came off the bench last year for GS and could do the same in OKC or replace Giddey in the starting lineup. He has the ability to play off the ball so his fit with SGA shouldn't be a problem.

[Kizz Fastfists]

If you can trade back Kenrich and add another big guy like Valanciunas, then you sure up all the positions.

With adding Collins Valanciunas, possibly Edey and only sending out someone who barely cracked the rotation - while also barely getting to salary cap floor - thats pretty good. Technically you’re set with bigs and you can also play 5 out with Chet and Collins.

I'm very much opposed to Valanciunas at this point in his career. He'll get overpaid by some bad team this off-season. He is 32 and in decline. If you just want a big man that can grab some boards for 10-15 minutes a game you might as well go the vet minimum route with Drummond. I don't think Presti considers either. Jaylin is not a bad player in his role. Adding Edey or Clingan, who both showed some range at the combine and are working to add a 3pt shot, along with someone like Collins or Wendall Carter Jr. would be sufficient for the big man rotation. Last year I was very high on Lively, but didn't realize how committed Presti was to his 5-man out theory. I'm much higher on Edey, and have been since about a quarter of the way through this NCAA season, but I don't expect Presti to even have him on his draft board. At this point, I expect the pick to be Castle or Walter with Cody Williams and Knecht also possible.

[Bremzi]

The 5 out concept is overrated. Its much easier to play picknroll with a big body guy. It’s also a much better percentage % in efficiency if you slam dunk it through an alley oop than to shoot threes. Not to mention that the big guy is somewhere in the paint if he isnt camping at the three point line - so you’re also giving up offensive rebounds. That’s why Dallas killed OKC, because they had the bigs to roll and dunk it and they got offensive rebounds.

I really see Chet at the 4 as a more suited position for him so I have no idea where Presti will find his guy. But you simply need a better rebounding big. Collins is the same or even worse than Chet in this regard.

Part of that is also on SGA. He needs to work on passing it better where its easier to play with him in the picknroll like Luka does. The spread out thing and 1on1 is not winning ball.

[Clav]

Gs in FA??

Lowry (lost with PHL R1, is UFA)
CP3 (GSW, TO for $30M - likely decline and he'll be UFA if so)
bonus: Justin Holiday (lost with DEN R2, is UFA)


F/Cs in FA??

Patrick Williams (Chicago, is RFA) - what's the offer he gets ?
Jae'Sean Tate (Houston, is RFA) - derivative on its roster, does he fit here ?
Oshae Brissett (BOS in Finals, has PO) - has been better than his contract, thoughts ?
Xavier Tillman (BOS in Finals, UFA) - they can't pay everyone He's a solid player

[Kizz Fastfists]

Gs in FA??

Lowry (lost with PHL R1, is UFA)
CP3 (GSW, TO for $30M - likely decline and he'll be UFA if so)
bonus: Justin Holiday (lost with DEN R2, is UFA)


F/Cs in FA??

Patrick Williams (Chicago, is RFA) - what's the offer he gets ?
Jae'Sean Tate (Houston, is RFA) - derivative on its roster, does he fit here ?
Oshae Brissett (BOS in Finals, has PO) - has been better than his contract, thoughts ?
Xavier Tillman (BOS in Finals, UFA) - they can't pay everyone He's a solid player

Lowry and CP3 both make sense as Presti signings.

Patrick Williams will probably go one of two directions in FA. Either he'll get a max offer or he'll end up like P.J. Washington did last off-season where he gets limited, if any, offers and ends up back in Chicago at $15-18M/yr. My issue with Williams is that he is a poor rebounder. Tate is terrible. He's listed at 6'4, can't shoot, can't rebound and is a vet minimum type of player. Brissett and Tilman are no better than Tate in that they can't shoot or rebound and shouldn't be considered. If Presti could land Williams for $20M/yr or less he could be a nice addition. Based on the projected cap rise he could, theoretically, be signed at that price without messing with up the cap for the core, with the possible exception of losing Giddey.

I am of the opinion that Presti is placing no value on rebounding and that could make Williams more attractive to him than he is to me. I would rather see him sign Kevin Love, if he opts out, than anyone listed here.

[BlazersBroncos]

I really like the idea of Collins + 10 for Kenrich + 12 + some future SRP.

UTA gets off Collins but takes on Kenrich. OKC brings in a guy that on paper seems like a nice system fit and moves up in the draft a bit.

The use 10 and the MIA FRP to trade up for Clingan.

I am still of mind of making a godfather offer for Lauri. Can Ainge really turn down Cason + Giddey + 12 + future FRPs?

Then move Dieng for Reath + Walker + 34. - OKC moves a prospect that needs 'growing pains PT' for a 3/D C, a + rebounding swing big and a SRP to take swings on PG or SF depth.

Then sign CP3 or Lowry as the backup PG. Draft

G - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander / Chris Paul or Kyle Lowry / KJ Simpson (34)
G - Lou Dort / Isaiah Joe / Aaron Wiggins
F - Jalen Williams / Aaron Wiggins / Keyontae Johnson
F - Lauri Markkanen / Kenrich Williams / Jabari Walker JR
C - Chet Holmgren / Duop Reath / Jaylin Williams

[Bremzi]

Gs in FA??

Lowry (lost with PHL R1, is UFA)
CP3 (GSW, TO for $30M - likely decline and he'll be UFA if so)
bonus: Justin Holiday (lost with DEN R2, is UFA)


F/Cs in FA??

Patrick Williams (Chicago, is RFA) - what's the offer he gets ?
Jae'Sean Tate (Houston, is RFA) - derivative on its roster, does he fit here ?
Oshae Brissett (BOS in Finals, has PO) - has been better than his contract, thoughts ?
Xavier Tillman (BOS in Finals, UFA) - they can't pay everyone He's a solid player

Lowry and CP3 both make sense as Presti signings.

I dont see it. This roster is as young as it can get. Of course Hayward, Biyombo and Muscala were late season additions but they didnt see the floor basically. They will be let go at season’s end.

Both Cp3 and Lowry are really old for point guards and they’re small. OKC also has Shai Giddey and Jalen at point. There’s no lack of guards here. Presti is bonkers to consider either of them.

If there’s a potential guard to plug and play it’s probably only Klay. He is still better than Joe and they used to play a lot of offball screens for shooters in GS. I dont see Presti offering more than a 2year contract and I’m pretty sure Klay will get a better deal from other teams or take a paycut to remain with GS.

From whatever you can tell Presti is banking on youth throughout. I also doubt he’s gonna be looking at trades much because noone wants to just give OKC the missing piece to ‘crack the code’ for the next x years. If he had the courage and financial backing of the owners, he would go get Anthony Davis. He can retain all his core guys and draft new peeps for the next 5-10 years and become the odds on favorite every year.

The CBA doesnt prevent you from resigning your players, you’re just limited in trades and free agent signings without the Bird rights. Granted, Dort or a combination of Giddey/Kenrich or something similar would have to go back to LA to make it work, but Chet + AD would really ‘crack the code’.

[ThunderBolt]

Read on Twitter

?
Yes, please.

[Kizz Fastfists]

I dont see it. This roster is as young as it can get. Of course Hayward, Biyombo and Muscala were late season additions but they didnt see the floor basically. They will be let go at season’s end.

Both Cp3 and Lowry are really old for point guards and they’re small. OKC also has Shai Giddey and Jalen at point. There’s no lack of guards here. Presti is bonkers to consider either of them.

If there’s a potential guard to plug and play it’s probably only Klay. He is still better than Joe and they used to play a lot of offball screens for shooters in GS. I dont see Presti offering more than a 2year contract and I’m pretty sure Klay will get a better deal from other teams or take a paycut to remain with GS.

From whatever you can tell Presti is banking on youth throughout. I also doubt he’s gonna be looking at trades much because noone wants to just give OKC the missing piece to ‘crack the code’ for the next x years. If he had the courage and financial backing of the owners, he would go get Anthony Davis. He can retain all his core guys and draft new peeps for the next 5-10 years and become the odds on favorite every year.

The CBA doesnt prevent you from resigning your players, you’re just limited in trades and free agent signings without the Bird rights. Granted, Dort or a combination of Giddey/Kenrich or something similar would have to go back to LA to make it work, but Chet + AD would really ‘crack the code’.

The CBA prevents OKC from resigning their own players due to the tax. This was an issue in the past and should not be ignored as a potential issue in the future. No team is going to care about trading a vet to OKC and pushing them over the top when they are rebuilding. They know OKC is a small market team and will be limited in their ability to keep that player long. OKC is not going to have 4 max players. Opposing GMs would consider the unprotected draft picks OKC has a bigger threat than sending them a veteran.

What happens if OKC ends up with the #1 pick next year due to LAC missing the playoffs and "winning" the lottery? What happens if the 2026 Miami pick ends up at #1? Those are much worse for opposing GMs that would be trading with OKC than them winning a championship in 2025 and 2026 then having to move on from Lauri or whoever else you trade them as the "missing piece".

As for CP3 and Lowry, Presti has a long history of bringing in veteran players. No one care argue that CP3 and Lowry are not better than Giddey, even at this point in their careers. CP3 could either come off the bench or replace Giddey in the lineup. The last time Presti thought he had a contender he constantly brought in veterans such as Nazr Mohammed, Derek Fisher, Kendrick Perkins, Royal Ivey, Kevin Martin, Caron Butler, Taj Gibson, Illyosova, Anthony Morrow, Raymond Felton, Corey Brewer, Melo, etc. This was even as he was banking on youth.

[Woerzboerg]

I agree that is the player we need. That player is also hard to find. However, Chet doesn't have to play center to be a great rim protector. Look at Ibaka. He was a great rim protector and was never the starting center in OKC.

And that - in the time the team started Perkins next to Ibaka and KD - was one of the mistakes that prevented us from getting a championship. Should have started KD and Ibaka without Perkins.

[Kizz Fastfists]

And that - in the time the team started Perkins next to Ibaka and KD - was one of the mistakes that prevented us from getting a championship. Should have started KD and Ibaka without Perkins.

I'm not going to disagree with the theory, but who would have started in his place? Nick Collison? Presti committed himself to Perkins AFTER he had a serious knee injury. Perkins was the never the same after that and Presti choosing Perkins over Tyson Chandler was one of many mistakes. Then again, it might be part of Presti's plan to get Dallas as many championships as possible. If Dallas wins this year we can point directly at the trades with OKC as being what got it done.

[Clav]

Random trade idea for the board...

sell low moment on Dieng maybe. I am not too sure what his value is after marginal effectiveness with Thunder but much better play in the GL, especially late in the year.

LAC sends PJ Tucker to HOU
LAC receives Jae'sean Tate

HOU sends Landale and #44 to OKC and Tate to LAC
HOU receives Dieng and Tucker

OKC sends Dieng to HOU
OKC receives Landale and pick #44 in 2024 draft

[Dadouv47]

And that - in the time the team started Perkins next to Ibaka and KD - was one of the mistakes that prevented us from getting a championship. Should have started KD and Ibaka without Perkins.

I'm not going to disagree with the theory, but who would have started in his place? Nick Collison? Presti committed himself to Perkins AFTER he had a serious knee injury. Perkins was the never the same after that and Presti choosing Perkins over Tyson Chandler was one of many mistakes. Then again, it might be part of Presti's plan to get Dallas as many championships as possible. If Dallas wins this year we can point directly at the trades with OKC as being what got it done.

maybe that was a medical staff mistake too when it comes to Tyson Chandler? Can blame Presti for a lot of things and keeping old Perkins is clearly one of them but he probably wanted Tyson Chandler in the first place.

[Dadouv47]

I dont see it. This roster is as young as it can get. Of course Hayward, Biyombo and Muscala were late season additions but they didnt see the floor basically. They will be let go at season’s end.

Both Cp3 and Lowry are really old for point guards and they’re small. OKC also has Shai Giddey and Jalen at point. There’s no lack of guards here. Presti is bonkers to consider either of them.

If there’s a potential guard to plug and play it’s probably only Klay. He is still better than Joe and they used to play a lot of offball screens for shooters in GS. I dont see Presti offering more than a 2year contract and I’m pretty sure Klay will get a better deal from other teams or take a paycut to remain with GS.

From whatever you can tell Presti is banking on youth throughout. I also doubt he’s gonna be looking at trades much because noone wants to just give OKC the missing piece to ‘crack the code’ for the next x years. If he had the courage and financial backing of the owners, he would go get Anthony Davis. He can retain all his core guys and draft new peeps for the next 5-10 years and become the odds on favorite every year.

The CBA doesnt prevent you from resigning your players, you’re just limited in trades and free agent signings without the Bird rights. Granted, Dort or a combination of Giddey/Kenrich or something similar would have to go back to LA to make it work, but Chet + AD would really ‘crack the code’.

The CBA prevents OKC from resigning their own players due to the tax. This was an issue in the past and should not be ignored as a potential issue in the future. No team is going to care about trading a vet to OKC and pushing them over the top when they are rebuilding. They know OKC is a small market team and will be limited in their ability to keep that player long. OKC is not going to have 4 max players. Opposing GMs would consider the unprotected draft picks OKC has a bigger threat than sending them a veteran.

What happens if OKC ends up with the #1 pick next year due to LAC missing the playoffs and "winning" the lottery? What happens if the 2026 Miami pick ends up at #1? Those are much worse for opposing GMs that would be trading with OKC than them winning a championship in 2025 and 2026 then having to move on from Lauri or whoever else you trade them as the "missing piece".

As for CP3 and Lowry, Presti has a long history of bringing in veteran players. No one care argue that CP3 and Lowry are not better than Giddey, even at this point in their careers. CP3 could either come off the bench or replace Giddey in the lineup. The last time Presti thought he had a contender he constantly brought in veterans such as Nazr Mohammed, Derek Fisher, Kendrick Perkins, Royal Ivey, Kevin Martin, Caron Butler, Taj Gibson, Illyosova, Anthony Morrow, Raymond Felton, Corey Brewer, Melo, etc. This was even as he was banking on youth.

I badly want CP3 but I think he's likely going to the Lakers or signing a bigger deal in San Antonio. Presti would love CP3 back IMO for obvious reasons. Tons of teams are goingt to offer him a "small" contract despite his age and decline.

I don't like Lowry. He was traded from Miami for a reason...he's washed and doesn't care about basketball that much IMO. Don't think he's willing to give it all to have a back up role and help a team like OKC to win a championship.

[Devilanche]

Random trade idea for the board...

sell low moment on Dieng maybe. I am not too sure what his value is after marginal effectiveness with Thunder but much better play in the GL, especially late in the year.

LAC sends PJ Tucker to HOU
LAC receives Jae'sean Tate

HOU sends Landale and #44 to OKC and Tate to LAC
HOU receives Dieng and Tucker

OKC sends Dieng to HOU
OKC receives Landale and pick #44 in 2024 draft

If OKC draft a rookie big , just let the rookie big and dieng fight it out for a spot in the rotation and sign a decent big with our money .

Theres no need to claim dieng lost value if the best offer is landale.

[ThunderBolt]

Avdija is the one guy that I’d open up the floodgates of assets for.

[BlazersBroncos]

Avdija is the one guy that I’d open up the floodgates of assets for.

Ya, I am trying to think of a creative way OKC could snag him. Maybe something like -

OKC OUT - Giddey, Dieng, 12, 2025 MIA FRP, 2025 OKC FRP
OKC IN - Avdija, Walker, 40

PDX OUT - Walker, 7, 40
PDX IN - Dieng, 12, lower of 2025 MIA or OKC FRP

WAS OUT - Avdija
WAS IN - Giddey, 7, higher of 2025 MIA or OKC FRP

OKC opens the coffers for Deni, a ideal fit on the court and on the balance sheet - as he is absurdly cheap and which would be huge when the money man comes a knocking. Use some remaining cap space to sign Val as an enforcer. Walker low key is a nice 3rd string PF/C who is a tremendous rebounder and could be a legit rotation guy if he can iron out his 3.

G - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander / Cason Wallace
G - Lou Dort / Isaiah Joe / Aaron Wiggins
F - Jalen Williams / Aaron Wiggins / Baylor Schierman (40)
F - Deni Avdija / Kenrich Williams / Jabari Walker JR
C - Chet Holmgren / Jonas Valančiūnas (FA)

PDX decides to do a minor punt and take a swing on Dieng while moving down and snagging another FRP. They likely follow this up w/ trading a vet or two so I wont bother w/ a depth chart.

WAS gets a kings ransome for Deni - they kick the tires on Giddey, can use 7 on their PGOTF or COTF (As the take Riascher 2 here) and get another swing at a FRP in 2025. IMO they follow this up w/ a Kuzma deal.

G - Jordan Poole / [Kuzma Trade]
G - Bilal Couldibay / Landry Shamet / Johnny Davis
F - Zaccharie Riascher (2) / Corey Kispert
F - Josh Giddey / Patrick Baldwin JR
C - Donovan Clingan (7) / Marvin Bagley JR / Tristan Vukcevic