OKC Thunder Trades and Transaction Thread

[Kizz Fastfists]

OKC can’t even do this on draft night can they?

They won’t have the cap space until the next NBA calendar year starts.

No trade is ever truly completed on draft night. They are agreed to and announced, but the paperwork doesn't go through until the new calendar year starts. We call them draft day trades because that is when we find out about them. Just like FA signings that get announced 30 minutes into the negotiating period aren't actually signed and completed until FA really opens a few days later.

[getrichordie]

Just came here to say I think we should take a shot on Kel'el Ware in the draft. We have plenty of guys who can play with the ball in their hands. Ware projects to be a guy who can space the floor and also protect the rim and in time, has a legitimate chance of being able to guard wings and guards, too. He also has the touch to be effective in the post and mid-range via floaters and touch shots. He's also a legitimate roll threat who can finish above the rim. Could be a significant upgrade over Jaylin Williams.

[Big nick]

Just came here to say I think we should take a shot on Kel'el Ware in the draft. We have plenty of guys who can play with the ball in their hands. Ware projects to be a guy who can space the floor and also protect the rim and in time, has a legitimate chance of being able to guard wings and guards, too. He also has the touch to be effective in the post and mid-range via floaters and touch shots. He's also a legitimate roll threat who can finish above the rim. Could be a significant upgrade over Jaylin Williams.

I would be up for this.

[Clav]

Just came here to say I think we should take a shot on Kel'el Ware in the draft. We have plenty of guys who can play with the ball in their hands. Ware projects to be a guy who can space the floor and also protect the rim and in time, has a legitimate chance of being able to guard wings and guards, too. He also has the touch to be effective in the post and mid-range via floaters and touch shots. He's also a legitimate roll threat who can finish above the rim. Could be a significant upgrade over Jaylin Williams.

I suggested Ware also a few pages back. I think he'd be a great selection -- however he's predicted to be selected lower than 12 so a trade down with TOR at 19 was my suggestion... good to know I have an ally on the Ware choice

[Kizz Fastfists]

I don't dislike Ware, but I prefer Edey. SGA/Edey pick and roll would make opposing teams cry themselves to sleep just to wake up in panic from nightmares.

[Bremzi]

I read some reports that GSW are going to release Looney to shed their tax bill (he is owed 8 mil, but has 3 mil only guaranteed).

If he is released, I’m wondering if OKC would be interested. In that case they would have to compete with others. It would be such a Presti move to trade for him and GSW adds a second rounder or something on top to escape the additional 3 mil.

He has good qualities - he’s an ironman in the way that he barely ever misses games. He’s a great rebounder (Sabonis couldnt hold him off at all in the playoffs). He very rarely makes turnovers and has a good assist/turnover ratio. He played in the GSW system so I think he would fit well with all the off ball action that OKC does. I feel like he would be a really solid pickup to either start or come off the bench. He isnt a stand out defender or blocker, but he does play defense smartly and is positioned well. He was a center on a championship roster already so thats also a plus. Thoughts?

[Mr Thunder Nick]

I like the idea to sign Tobias Harris

https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/thunder-free-agency-should-okc-pursue-tobias-harris-01j02qcz75d3

[Big nick]

I like the idea to sign Tobias Harris

https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/thunder-free-agency-should-okc-pursue-tobias-harris-01j02qcz75d3

I think th is washed up he didn't look good at all this season.

[Devilanche]

I read some reports that GSW are going to release Looney to shed their tax bill (he is owed 8 mil, but has 3 mil only guaranteed).

If he is released, I’m wondering if OKC would be interested. In that case they would have to compete with others. It would be such a Presti move to trade for him and GSW adds a second rounder or something on top to escape the additional 3 mil.

He has good qualities - he’s an ironman in the way that he barely ever misses games. He’s a great rebounder (Sabonis couldnt hold him off at all in the playoffs). He very rarely makes turnovers and has a good assist/turnover ratio. He played in the GSW system so I think he would fit well with all the off ball action that OKC does. I feel like he would be a really solid pickup to either start or come off the bench. He isnt a stand out defender or blocker, but he does play defense smartly and is positioned well. He was a center on a championship roster already so thats also a plus. Thoughts?

That’s pure speculation. It make sense for GSW to trade him away at cost to save on the 3m still if all they looking for is breathing space from luxury tax.

[Devilanche]

I like the idea to sign Tobias Harris

https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/thunder-free-agency-should-okc-pursue-tobias-harris-01j02qcz75d3

I think th is washed up he didn't look good at all this season.

I’m going 15m max for him.
Not the 20-25m range. Expectation is that someone will beat him out eventually.

[Xatticus]

I don't dislike Ware, but I prefer Edey. SGA/Edey pick and roll would make opposing teams cry themselves to sleep just to wake up in panic from nightmares.

Based on what? SGA creates for himself and the roll man usually pops out for OKC to clear the lane for Shai to do his thing. His reads tend to be slow and the combination of that and the mobility of Dallas' bigs is why our offense cratered in the Dallas series, which is why we lost the series. It had nothing to do with size. Our defense held up just fine. We were in every game. Our offense dried up, so we lost.

Edey has not demonstrated that he can operate as a roll man at this point. Purdue ran their offense through him in post/re-post/re-re-post sets. What made him unstoppable in college is that nobody had the personnel to stop him with a single defender, so defenses were constantly sending help. His ability to pass over the top of help defenders and his patience in the post worked well in college, but that won't be the case in the NBA unless he can demonstrate an ability to score efficiently against much bigger, stronger, and faster competition in the NBA. On top of this, he struggles to get up and down the floor. He is not a rim runner. What he did in college will not work in the NBA and he will have trouble finding a landing spot that will even afford him the opportunity to prove it as the NBA is shifting in the opposite direction.

I've wanted to see OKC run more pick-and-roll offense with a big that can dive to the rim and provide a vertical threat, but this is largely due to the presence of Giddey on the roster. I don't know what the point was of drafting him if you had no intention of utilizing him in such actions, but here we are. Daigneault's offense has worked, so I can't be too critical. I still believe there is untapped potential there, but Edey isn't that guy. He is not mobile. He is a plodding big that was used almost exclusively in the post.

[Xatticus]

I like the idea to sign Tobias Harris

https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/thunder-free-agency-should-okc-pursue-tobias-harris-01j02qcz75d3

I think th is washed up he didn't look good at all this season.

I’m going 15m max for him.
Not the 20-25m range. Expectation is that someone will beat him out eventually.

I wouldn't really have any interest unless he comes very cheap. I believe we are better off sticking to the plan of developing talent to fill those roles. It's just more cost-effective. We can save our powder for a difference maker. If we are still hurting for contributors at the deadline, then we can make a move then, but I wouldn't sink money into a 'Tobias Harris' type. He is still passable, but you would be paying him for the player he was as opposed to the player he will be on his next contract.

We have a lot of offensive talent that needs to continue maturing. SGA can become a better facilitator yet. Jalen will only get better. I'm fairly convinced that Cason has the savvy to do a lot more at the offensive end than he has shown thus far.

If we are going to add a significant piece, I'd prefer it to be someone that is very mobile at the defensive end and ideally someone that provides a bit of rim protection as I fear our chances of making a run plummet if Chet gets hurt. We just don't have anyone else that can give us what he does.

[Devilanche]

I think th is washed up he didn't look good at all this season.

I’m going 15m max for him.
Not the 20-25m range. Expectation is that someone will beat him out eventually.

I wouldn't really have any interest unless he comes very cheap. I believe we are better off sticking to the plan of developing talent to fill those roles. It's just more cost-effective. We can save our powder for a difference maker. If we are still hurting for contributors at the deadline, then we can make a move then, but I wouldn't sink money into a 'Tobias Harris' type. He is still passable, but you would be paying him for the player he was as opposed to the player he will be on his next contract.

We have a lot of offensive talent that needs to continue maturing. SGA can become a better facilitator yet. Jalen will only get better. I'm fairly convinced that Cason has the savvy to do a lot more at the offensive end than he has shown thus far.

If we are going to add a significant piece, I'd prefer it to be someone that is very mobile at the defensive end and ideally someone that provides a bit of rim protection as I fear our chances of making a run plummet if Chet gets hurt. We just don't have anyone else that can give us what he does.

I think we already have enough talent . Sometimes you need these middling vets to eat some minute so those talents can learn from them and get better and beat out the said middling vets eventually.

The flip side of keep developing talent ?
1) team is ready now we need to minimise our weaker aspect asap . Can’t afford to wait for development.
2) you don’t need to develop everyone 1-10 in your rotation. Eventually every cheap rookie need to get paid. Might as well fill up some spot with MLE vet or reclaim projects that still worth a shot ( your Goga / Jalen smith etc)

[Big nick]

I don't dislike Ware, but I prefer Edey. SGA/Edey pick and roll would make opposing teams cry themselves to sleep just to wake up in panic from nightmares.

Based on what? SGA creates for himself and the roll man usually pops out for OKC to clear the lane for Shai to do his thing. His reads tend to be slow and the combination of that and the mobility of Dallas' bigs is why our offense cratered in the Dallas series, which is why we lost the series. It had nothing to do with size. Our defense held up just fine. We were in every game. Our offense dried up, so we lost.

Edey has not demonstrated that he can operate as a roll man at this point. Purdue ran their offense through him in post/re-post/re-re-post sets. What made him unstoppable in college is that nobody had the personnel to stop him with a single defender, so defenses were constantly sending help. His ability to pass over the top of help defenders and his patience in the post worked well in college, but that won't be the case in the NBA unless he can demonstrate an ability to score efficiently against much bigger, stronger, and faster competition in the NBA. On top of this, he struggles to get up and down the floor. He is not a rim runner. What he did in college will not work in the NBA and he will have trouble finding a landing spot that will even afford him the opportunity to prove it as the NBA is shifting in the opposite direction.

I've wanted to see OKC run more pick-and-roll offense with a big that can dive to the rim and provide a vertical threat, but this is largely due to the presence of Giddey on the roster. I don't know what the point was of drafting him if you had no intention of utilizing him in such actions, but here we are. Daigneault's offense has worked, so I can't be too critical. I still believe there is untapped potential there, but Edey isn't that guy. He is not mobile. He is a plodding big that was used almost exclusively in the post.

I don't disagree with you much but I really think edey I just what we need. He is way more mobile than a plodding big. He timed speeds were better than most bigs have ever posted. I might be wrong but if we draft him I think he will be a different maker down low. I am afraid to pass on him and he will match very well against vw down low. Victor will be a terror for years.

[Kizz Fastfists]

I don't dislike Ware, but I prefer Edey. SGA/Edey pick and roll would make opposing teams cry themselves to sleep just to wake up in panic from nightmares.

Based on what? SGA creates for himself and the roll man usually pops out for OKC to clear the lane for Shai to do his thing. His reads tend to be slow and the combination of that and the mobility of Dallas' bigs is why our offense cratered in the Dallas series, which is why we lost the series. It had nothing to do with size. Our defense held up just fine. We were in every game. Our offense dried up, so we lost.

I'm going to go just leave you with the P&R stats. You can see how SGA ranks as the ball handler in the situation and that Wiggins is the only decent roll man on the team right now. Edey is the best P&R finisher in the draft, unless the scouts are blind.

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/ball-handler?SeasonType=Regular%20Season&dir=D&sort=PPP

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/roll-man?SeasonType=Regular%20Season&dir=D&sort=PPP

[Zagor]

I have strong feeling it will be one of trio Daron Holmes/Kel'el Ware/Cody Williams, and I'm ok with that.

[Mr Thunder Nick]

another good trace

https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/if-jalen-smith-declines-player-option-could-okc-thunder-step-in-01j0hq24hdhx

[Devilanche]

Good target imo. Even on a 3 or 4 years contract.

[Thabo Sefolosha]

Read on Twitter

[Big nick]

I really liked giddy but this is a big upgrade for us.