OKC/POR

[MoneyTalks41890]

Nothing new here, but I’m getting bored of having no trades or transactions to discuss or think about re OKC. And this came up again on the GB.


POR out: Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara
POR in: Nikola Topic, Ousmane Dieng, Dillon Jones, 2026 UTA 1st (top 8 prot/extinguished), 2026 MIA 1st (top 2 prot/least fav OKC 26 1st), 2026 PHI 1st (top 4/top 4/2nd), 2027 1st (best of DEN (top 5 prot), OKC, LAC), 2029 DEN 1st (top 5 prot)

Blazers sell two very good solid young pieces for a volume package including a couple of good prospects and a bunch of picks. The Miami pick here is OKC adding top two protection, with the backup being OKC's worst 26 1st. The rest are protections that came from the trading team.


OKC out: Nikola Topic, Ousmane Dieng, Dillon Jones, 2026 UTA 1st (top 8 prot/extinguished), 2026 MIA 1st (top 2 prot/least fav OKC 26 1st), 2026 PHI 1st (top 4/top 4/2nd), 2027 1st (best of DEN (top 5 prot), OKC, LAC), 2029 DEN 1st (top 5 prot)
OKC in: Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara

Thunder overpay to get two pieces that fit perfectly and are on bargain contracts.

I won't try to do the Portland depth chart, someone else should if they want to, but OKC:

SGA/Cason Wallace/Mitchell
Lu Dort/Alex Caruso/Isaiah Joe
Jalen Williams/Aaron Wiggins
Deni/Camara/Kenrich
Chet/iHart/JWill

[Godaddycurse]

this is mikal bridges level overpay here. Even worse you're doing it for a 4th/5th option

[JRoy]

Hard pass for POR.

None of those players have proven anything and the picks package does not excite.

[ReggiesKnicks]

I don't think Portland considers this.

Their whole identity is built around their wings and their defensive identity. They have finally built a culture post-Lillard.

They aren't going to trade 2 of their best players for three mediocre prospects and 5 1sts that don't have a top end variance.

For OKC it is a no-brainer.

[tacos]

I see a torn acl and a bunch of soft assets for 2 of the best dollar per dollar 2 way wings in the nba

And chopping the top off the miami pick leads me to think you are more in the bargain bin type of shopper... perhaps we could intrest you in a nice jerami grant duop reath or maybe an anfernee simons... heck then you could even top 5 the miami pick

[Scoot McGroot]

I see a torn acl and a bunch of soft assets for 2 of the best dollar per dollar 2 way wings in the nba

And chopping the top off the miami pick leads me to think you are more in the bargain bin type of shopper... perhaps we could intrest you in a nice jerami grant duop reath or maybe an anfernee simons... heck then you could even top 5 the miami pick

Can’t be two of the best “two way players” if you’re only taking less than 11 field goal attempts per game.

More like two of the best defending wings that aren’t completely lost on offense? Not really two way, though. Absolutely tremendous role players.


And realistically, I could maybe see Portland looking to sell one or the other for an overpay, but probably not both. Probably only willing to trade one because you have the other one to keep?

[Blazinaway]

I see a torn acl and a bunch of soft assets for 2 of the best dollar per dollar 2 way wings in the nba

And chopping the top off the miami pick leads me to think you are more in the bargain bin type of shopper... perhaps we could intrest you in a nice jerami grant duop reath or maybe an anfernee simons... heck then you could even top 5 the miami pick

Can’t be two of the best “two way players” if you’re only taking less than 11 field goal attempts per game.

More like two of the best defending wings that aren’t completely lost on offense? Not really two way, though. Absolutely tremendous role players.


And realistically, I could maybe see Portland looking to sell one or the other for an overpay, but probably not both. Probably only willing to trade one because you have the other one to keep?

If you don't think Deni is a good 2-way players then you are not watching, he makes the Portland offense go and his play in recent weeks is indicative of going to another level.

[jayjaysee]

I don’t see OKC needing both so don’t see overpaying for both like this.

I mean they can, and the value probably is good enough that Portland should consider it? But just seems like you pick the one and don’t force Portland to give up two important pieces when Portland is probably looking at coming out of their rebuild (right/wrong) either next season or the following year?

[MoneyTalks41890]

Ok, drop Camara on the POR side and Jones, 2029 DEN 1st, and the MIA pick on the OKC side.

How would that be?

[ReggiesKnicks]

Ok, drop Camara on the POR side and Jones, 2029 DEN 1st, and the MIA pick on the OKC side.

How would that be?

Utah 1st: Probably extinguished (nothing)
PHI 1st: Good 1st
2027 1st: Not looking promising given the rosters but the Clippers pick could be in the late lottery

Topic: Late Lottery pick in a weak draft and hasn't played or had time to develop due to injury
Dieng: Little value as outclassed by Ajay Mitchell in OKC

Seems like Portland doesn't want to trade Deni for lesser assets.

[JRoy]

Not interested for POR.

[Scoot McGroot]

I see a torn acl and a bunch of soft assets for 2 of the best dollar per dollar 2 way wings in the nba

And chopping the top off the miami pick leads me to think you are more in the bargain bin type of shopper... perhaps we could intrest you in a nice jerami grant duop reath or maybe an anfernee simons... heck then you could even top 5 the miami pick

Can’t be two of the best “two way players” if you’re only taking less than 11 field goal attempts per game.

More like two of the best defending wings that aren’t completely lost on offense? Not really two way, though. Absolutely tremendous role players.


And realistically, I could maybe see Portland looking to sell one or the other for an overpay, but probably not both. Probably only willing to trade one because you have the other one to keep?

If you don't think Deni is a good 2-way players then you are not watching, he makes the Portland offense go and his play in recent weeks is indicative of going to another level.

Oh, Deni is much closer to being a true two way player than Camara. But there’s only so few of those types of guys in the league that we can’t assign it to guys that are barely taking shots. That’s all. Deni is good, but he’s still not a guy that you can just toss the ball to to get offense going and to create buckets out of nothing. His last 5 are very solid, and why he’s much closer. But as you see, when he creates, he’s still messy. He’s had 28 assists over his last 5, and 21 turnovers to go with it.

Don’t take it as a knock. Just, “among the best two way players in the league” end up as all nba players year over year. They’re super rare, and recognized league wide as such. Deni is a really really good defender, and a good offensive player that can have great streaks.

[Myth]

Not a fan of either deal proposed in this thread. Especially with all of those protections, Blazers would probably use up all of those picks and be very lucky to land a Deni level player with one of the picks and a Camara level player with another.

[BlazersBroncos]

The PDX FO has made it quite clear they are not doing a Hinkie type tank. This trade moves off arguably the 2 best young talents on the Blazers for a few swings that you hope turn into Deni / Camara level guys.

I actually think this offseason PDX tries to make a splash move for a big name using the vet salary, Sharpe and pick(s).

[brackdan70]

this is mikal bridges level overpay here. Even worse you're doing it for a 4th/5th option

I agree an overpay but you are getting two really good young player. Deni is better than Bridges.

[JJ_PR]

I mean, O.P. isn't an insulting offer from OKC, but the trade just doesn't make sense for Portland. Those two (Avdija and Camara) are arguably Portland's best players.

[Devilanche]

Would trade for either and not both . There’s only so much playtime and future payroll OKC can work around with.

I doubt Portland will move off either though . You can easily squeeze in a 3rd decent forward into their rotation.

[sonictecture]

These scenarios where OKC attempts to overpay for others teams players that are not available are unseamly.

Boredom shouldn’t be an excuse

[JRoy]

These scenarios where OKC attempts to overpay for others teams players that are not available are unseamly.

Boredom shouldn’t be an excuse

Avdija makes sense though for OKC and a Swiss Army knife type player, with a salary about half of he should be making, and declining each year.

That has real value for team with a lot of top shelf players that will command high salaries.

The offer is hardly an overpay; injured/mediocre prospects and picks that do not convey or are unlikely to be high enough to draft a quality replacement.

[sonictecture]

These scenarios where OKC attempts to overpay for others teams players that are not available are unseamly.

Boredom shouldn’t be an excuse

Avdija makes sense though for OKC and a Swiss Army knife type player, with a salary about half of he should be making, and declining each year.

That has real value for team with a lot of top shelf players that will command high salaries.

The offer is hardly an overpay; injured/mediocre prospects and picks that do not convey or are unlikely to be high enough to draft a quality replacement.

Overpay was a term moneytalk used.