The Official 2025 Offseason Thread Part 2

[matt131]

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[Slim Charless]

The finals may go to Game 7. Pacers are showing true team work and the defensive help is so good. Thunder's coach is hopeless purely relying on talent to get by. Carlisle is a great coach indeed.

With that said I don't think they will break the core up.

So it means they only have picks to trade and Presti is never the one to give up picks.

Well, depends on what you consider their core over there, and how much you want to go into a rebuild here. Hartenstein, Isiah Joe, Kenrich Williams for KD work in the trade machine. Then all the picks in the world you can ask for. Joe goes to another team for another starter-type (Orlando for Cole Anthony straight up works), then you have Anthony/Book/Dunn/PF for Grayson+O'neale and picks/Hartenstein. As good as the other packages, but the picks could make it much better.

I doubt OKC gives up that much and Hartenstein is like their only center. Unfortunately having so many players on cheaper contracts makes it difficult to offload a max player on them as you have to aggregate so many players just to match someone like KD. I guess it's a nice problem to have though.

Well if they want KD, they'll need to match salaries. Either Hartenstein will go or Caruso. Then a bunch of picks.

I dont see how they dont make a trade, if hey blow this series. The west is going to be a nightmare next year and beyond. But honestly they don't need to make the trade just being in the pool of teams thay want him is enough for me.

That alone will put pressure on HOU/SAS to come with correct deals, not trash ones.

[SkyBill40]

If OKC loses the Finals, do they become a serious player in the KD bidding war?

Nah. I don't seem them making a panic move that guarantees nothing and invites only disaster. Durant is still a big game player but he just isn't that dude he was the last time he suited up for them.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

I don't think OKC really expects or need prime OKC KD though. The question for them isn't whether KD can help lift them into a contender because they are already a contender. The question is whether KD can help lift them into a championship winning team. They don't need KD to win a whole bunch of regular season games like what we've needed from him just to get by in the regular season. SGA, Jalen and Chet are talented enough to get them a top seed.

I look at their playoff run and they are a very deep team and you could almost expect 4-6 guys put up double digit points every game with SGA putting up his usual 30ppg. Where they've faltered, I think it's because they didn't have a super reliable 20-25ppg scorer who is also a great shooter to stretch the defense. OKC are the 4th worst 3PT shooting team in these playoffs. Their top 3 in 3PT attempts shoot 32.5%, 30.9% and 31.1% and that accounts for about 45% of all their 3PT attempts. AC is the only guy shooting above 40% for them in these playoffs.

37yo KD is still going to give them 40%+ from 3, he's still going to get them a reliable and ultra efficient 25ppg+, and as much of a foul-merchant SGA is the Thunder are kind of middle of the pack when it comes to getting to the line. KD is going to get them more reliable FT's especially down the line.

To your point though, I don't think they will give up the farm for KD but given how much draft capital they have, they don't need to give up the farm to make it worth our while.

Fair enough. I just don't see them adding him and disrupting what is already a very good team. He seems to cause cohesion issues and change the dynamics of each team he has been a part of and not necessarily in a good way. They could do it for nostalgia's sake and a sort of homecoming, but fan bases are hugely fickle and a lot aren't going to welcome him back. All that would change though if he were to help them win a title (which I hope never happens because reasons).

[Slim Charless]

Well, depends on what you consider their core over there, and how much you want to go into a rebuild here. Hartenstein, Isiah Joe, Kenrich Williams for KD work in the trade machine. Then all the picks in the world you can ask for. Joe goes to another team for another starter-type (Orlando for Cole Anthony straight up works), then you have Anthony/Book/Dunn/PF for Grayson+O'neale and picks/Hartenstein. As good as the other packages, but the picks could make it much better.

I doubt OKC gives up that much and Hartenstein is like their only center. Unfortunately having so many players on cheaper contracts makes it difficult to offload a max player on them as you have to aggregate so many players just to match someone like KD. I guess it's a nice problem to have though.

Good points man. The thing is though that when you look at OKCs' roster, Shai is up for a supermax increase similar to Booker's after next season. And more importantly than even that is their other core extensions/ increases too.


So not only do they have some really tough choices to make on whether or not they'll have to break up their core due to cost, they'll absolutely not be able to keep their key core/ players together and pay them all without dumping se major salaries both this summer and probably next after Shais' increase begins.


On top of that, they just won't have the available roster spots to keep bringing in multiple young prospects on 4 yr contracts due to roster limits. And having way too much incoming draft picks.

They'll need to aggressively consolidate their picks into a singular player. Maybe a couple moves of this nature very soon. And then you have Hartenstein. I mean sure he's a very solid productive big.

BUT, he's honestly very similar in limited skillset/ archetype to Nurkic actually. The real difference is that he's more mobile. But then he can't even shoot as well as Nurkic at league average efficiency. AND he's making 30 million.

And honestly, he's not had the best playoff run this season making boneheaded plays and having some lackluster moments. He's certainly not going to he untouchable, especially when you consider he's making 30 million, and they'll desperately need to cut/ consolidate salary to be able to absorb Shais' increase, Holmgrens' extension, J Williams looming increase, Wallace's extension, etc.

KD (even as a rental) is honestly perfect for these critical consolidation/ financial needs. Because when he'd expire, that'd open up 54 million for the Thunder to resign/ extend/ absorb their core salaries rather than having to break up their group!

I think Hartenstein and Caruso were signed to those big deals, in order to trade them. They have the big salary department players, the young guys and the picks. That way they can keep their Big 3 and still add a 4th guy.

If anything, a rental like KD would be good for them as he's not gonna be there long. Only a fee years and then he'll retire-right when Chet/JDubb contracts are kicking in and SGA's supermax.

[BobbieL]

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NBA doesn't want the trade to happen before the Finals but they are happy to have the rumor mill going strong. So the NBA will slow the roll of a trade actually happening until after the Finals

[Ghost of Kleine]

I doubt OKC gives up that much and Hartenstein is like their only center. Unfortunately having so many players on cheaper contracts makes it difficult to offload a max player on them as you have to aggregate so many players just to match someone like KD. I guess it's a nice problem to have though.

Good points man. The thing is though that when you look at OKCs' roster, Shai is up for a supermax increase similar to Booker's after next season. And more importantly than even that is their other core extensions/ increases too.


So not only do they have some really tough choices to make on whether or not they'll have to break up their core due to cost, they'll absolutely not be able to keep their key core/ players together and pay them all without dumping se major salaries both this summer and probably next after Shais' increase begins.


On top of that, they just won't have the available roster spots to keep bringing in multiple young prospects on 4 yr contracts due to roster limits. And having way too much incoming draft picks.

They'll need to aggressively consolidate their picks into a singular player. Maybe a couple moves of this nature very soon. And then you have Hartenstein. I mean sure he's a very solid productive big.

BUT, he's honestly very similar in limited skillset/ archetype to Nurkic actually. The real difference is that he's more mobile. But then he can't even shoot as well as Nurkic at league average efficiency. AND he's making 30 million.

And honestly, he's not had the best playoff run this season making boneheaded plays and having some lackluster moments. He's certainly not going to he untouchable, especially when you consider he's making 30 million, and they'll desperately need to cut/ consolidate salary to be able to absorb Shais' increase, Holmgrens' extension, J Williams looming increase, Wallace's extension, etc.

KD (even as a rental) is honestly perfect for these critical consolidation/ financial needs. Because when he'd expire, that'd open up 54 million for the Thunder to resign/ extend/ absorb their core salaries rather than having to break up their group!

I think Hartenstein and Caruso were signed to those big deals, in order to trade them. They have the big salary department players, the young guys and the picks. That way they can keep their Big 3 and still add a 4th guy.

If anything, a rental like KD would be good for them as he's not gonna be there long. Only a fee years and then he'll retire-right when Chet/JDubb contracts are kicking in and SGA's supermax.

Exactly!
My point being that KD as a 54 million expiring contract is an optimal trade off for their critical financial needs to ge able to keep their core together.

Not to mention that with all of their young players and picks, they'll need to let some go or consolidate either young players and / or picks in trades just to he able to open up more roster spots for all of their incoming prospects and players as roster limits are capped at 15.

KD is an ideal situation for them to boost their ceiling outcome in the short term while also being able to massively reduce their cap too. This being critical to try and afford keeping their core and key players together past next season.

And they gave so many picks they'll need to also consolidate that they wouldn't even flinch at the idea of surrendering two or three for KD.

[Slim Charless]

Good points man. The thing is though that when you look at OKCs' roster, Shai is up for a supermax increase similar to Booker's after next season. And more importantly than even that is their other core extensions/ increases too.


So not only do they have some really tough choices to make on whether or not they'll have to break up their core due to cost, they'll absolutely not be able to keep their key core/ players together and pay them all without dumping se major salaries both this summer and probably next after Shais' increase begins.


On top of that, they just won't have the available roster spots to keep bringing in multiple young prospects on 4 yr contracts due to roster limits. And having way too much incoming draft picks.

They'll need to aggressively consolidate their picks into a singular player. Maybe a couple moves of this nature very soon. And then you have Hartenstein. I mean sure he's a very solid productive big.

BUT, he's honestly very similar in limited skillset/ archetype to Nurkic actually. The real difference is that he's more mobile. But then he can't even shoot as well as Nurkic at league average efficiency. AND he's making 30 million.

And honestly, he's not had the best playoff run this season making boneheaded plays and having some lackluster moments. He's certainly not going to he untouchable, especially when you consider he's making 30 million, and they'll desperately need to cut/ consolidate salary to be able to absorb Shais' increase, Holmgrens' extension, J Williams looming increase, Wallace's extension, etc.

KD (even as a rental) is honestly perfect for these critical consolidation/ financial needs. Because when he'd expire, that'd open up 54 million for the Thunder to resign/ extend/ absorb their core salaries rather than having to break up their group!

I think Hartenstein and Caruso were signed to those big deals, in order to trade them. They have the big salary department players, the young guys and the picks. That way they can keep their Big 3 and still add a 4th guy.

If anything, a rental like KD would be good for them as he's not gonna be there long. Only a fee years and then he'll retire-right when Chet/JDubb contracts are kicking in and SGA's supermax.

Exactly!
My point being that KD as a 54 million expiring contract is an optimal trade off for their critical financial needs to ge able to keep their core together.

Not to mention that with all of their young players and picks, they'll need to let some go or consolidate either young players and / or picks in trades just to he able to open up more roster spots for all of their incoming prospects and players as roster limits are capped at 15.

KD is an ideal situation for them to boost their ceiling outcome in the short term while also being able to massively reduce their cap too. This being critical to try and afford keeping their core and key players together past next season.

And they gave so many picks they'll need to also consolidate that they wouldn't even flinch at the idea of surrendering two or three for KD.

What do you think is the 3 best of all of their future picks? I think its the Philly pick next season (top 4 protect) and that Clipper swap in 27. I would've had the 28 Dallas pick in there, but not any more obviously. Maybe that Utah top 8 protected as well next yr?

What do you think...

[BobbieL]

Good points man. The thing is though that when you look at OKCs' roster, Shai is up for a supermax increase similar to Booker's after next season. And more importantly than even that is their other core extensions/ increases too.


So not only do they have some really tough choices to make on whether or not they'll have to break up their core due to cost, they'll absolutely not be able to keep their key core/ players together and pay them all without dumping se major salaries both this summer and probably next after Shais' increase begins.


On top of that, they just won't have the available roster spots to keep bringing in multiple young prospects on 4 yr contracts due to roster limits. And having way too much incoming draft picks.

They'll need to aggressively consolidate their picks into a singular player. Maybe a couple moves of this nature very soon. And then you have Hartenstein. I mean sure he's a very solid productive big.

BUT, he's honestly very similar in limited skillset/ archetype to Nurkic actually. The real difference is that he's more mobile. But then he can't even shoot as well as Nurkic at league average efficiency. AND he's making 30 million.

And honestly, he's not had the best playoff run this season making boneheaded plays and having some lackluster moments. He's certainly not going to he untouchable, especially when you consider he's making 30 million, and they'll desperately need to cut/ consolidate salary to be able to absorb Shais' increase, Holmgrens' extension, J Williams looming increase, Wallace's extension, etc.

KD (even as a rental) is honestly perfect for these critical consolidation/ financial needs. Because when he'd expire, that'd open up 54 million for the Thunder to resign/ extend/ absorb their core salaries rather than having to break up their group!

I think Hartenstein and Caruso were signed to those big deals, in order to trade them. They have the big salary department players, the young guys and the picks. That way they can keep their Big 3 and still add a 4th guy.

If anything, a rental like KD would be good for them as he's not gonna be there long. Only a fee years and then he'll retire-right when Chet/JDubb contracts are kicking in and SGA's supermax.

Exactly!
My point being that KD as a 54 million expiring contract is an optimal trade off for their critical financial needs to ge able to keep their core together.

Not to mention that with all of their young players and picks, they'll need to let some go or consolidate either young players and / or picks in trades just to he able to open up more roster spots for all of their incoming prospects and players as roster limits are capped at 15.

KD is an ideal situation for them to boost their ceiling outcome in the short term while also being able to massively reduce their cap too. This being critical to try and afford keeping their core and key players together past next season.

And they gave so many picks they'll need to also consolidate that they wouldn't even flinch at the idea of surrendering two or three for KD.

My guess, the team that offers Durant the 120/2 is higher on the priority scale than winning a title. Hence, OKC - -if they want him for one year, is probably not an option.

I think the Twolves are an option for Durant is my guess, they will give him the 120m extension

[Bogyo]

So we're essentially looking at a Chris Paul from OKC type package for Durant.

Oubre, Rubio, Jerome, Lecque, 1st

I think thats a very good way of putting it. That's the realistic package for a 37year old KD who has injury history, wants to be resigned for 2 more years at max after next year, and has been unhappy in his last 3 teams that he specifically picked for himself. Sht the bed in BKN, did the same in Phoenix - why would anyone pay more?
The incoming news about the packages indicates the same... as I see now, even the packages are very similar, one might have a better player, the other a bit better draft pick, but we are not getting an all star back, nor 4 FRPs. One good guy, one/two filler(s), one/two OK to mediocre draft pick. And you most likely have to trade one of the guys coming back as they are shooting guards. Houston/SA/Minny/Clippers/Miami all have that in their package. (NY with KAT would be the only different solution, and we'd be smart to not take that - plus they are out by now as I read.)

[sasquatchBob]

Lets be honest, none of us care about competing, because its impossible. If we can get one prospect and 2 mid FRP for KD, we should be happy.

If we could somehow get Spurs 2nd pick and their thrash that would be even better. But chances of that are basically non existent...

[BobbieL]

Lets be honest, none of us care about competing, because its impossible. If we can get one prospect and 2 mid FRP for KD, we should be happy.

If we could somehow get Spurs 2nd pick and their thrash that would be even better. But chances of that are basically non existent...

I think Ishbia is still going to make a trade that maybe for this year, would produce the best team but not for the next 3-5 years. If Ishbia is being realistic, he would take a longer term approach. And get the type of deal you outline

[SkyBill40]

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NBA doesn't want the trade to happen before the Finals but they are happy to have the rumor mill going strong. So the NBA will slow the roll of a trade actually happening until after the Finals

It can't happen before the conclusion of the league year seeing that the trade deadline has already passed; however, that doesn't preclude teams from working on something and announcing it around the draft or before summer league starts up.

[sasquatchBob]

Lets be honest, none of us care about competing, because its impossible. If we can get one prospect and 2 mid FRP for KD, we should be happy.

If we could somehow get Spurs 2nd pick and their thrash that would be even better. But chances of that are basically non existent...

I think Ishbia is still going to make a trade that maybe for this year, would produce the best team but not for the next 3-5 years. If Ishbia is being realistic, he would take a longer term approach. And get the type of deal you outline

I just hope we dont go after Gobert. That would be such short term thinking. Save your face because we can be decent for 1-2 years...

Do you think he does not realize that all of us fans want to rebuild? Like literally 75% of the fanbase knows thats the way to go. Are we really gonna go deeper into **** because of his fragile ego and him trying to prove impossible?

At least he knows what jerseys we want... Are Valley jersey confirmed to come back?

By the way,
Is anyone selling CP3 valley jersey? Size XL. I would be interested

[sunsbum]

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NBA doesn't want the trade to happen before the Finals but they are happy to have the rumor mill going strong. So the NBA will slow the roll of a trade actually happening until after the Finals

By "they" you mean twitter nobodies looking for clout and clicks. I swear GOK keeps half these awful twitter accounts afloat single handedly.

[Sunsdeuce]

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NBA doesn't want the trade to happen before the Finals but they are happy to have the rumor mill going strong. So the NBA will slow the roll of a trade actually happening until after the Finals

Gambo with his usual captain Obvious hot takes

[sasquatchBob]

Also watching Pacers rinals run reminded me of us. Such a feel good story. I was watching the last game and caught myself celebration yelling when Pacers scored in 4th. It reminded me of our run. I was waking up every game at 7 in the morning (Europe) before work to watch the games. Probably my favorite sports highlight of my life. Giannis annihilated us in the end, lol. Made all the free throws on top it. Still it's positive memories for me. Proud of what that team did!

[SunsRback4Good]

Also watching Pacers rinals run reminded me of us. Such a feel good story. I was watching the last game and caught myself celebration yelling when Pacers scored in 4th. It reminded me of our run. I was waking up every game at 7 in the morning (Europe) before work to watch the games. Probably my favorite sports highlight of my life. Giannis annihilated us in the end, lol. Made all the free throws on top it. Still it's positive memories for me. Proud of what that team did!

I’m a diehard Pacer fan since 2025 desperately rooting for them to win a title. But you’re right, they kinda remind me of our run where our players were young but played with grit and never gave up. I miss Mikal and CamJ.

[Saberestar]

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[thamadkant]

If Thunder would ever consider trading for KD, I think Chet is the best bet.

He's not that good and he clashes with KD position wise. Chet is a PF against most teams except when against stretch 5s who isn't physical inside the paint. He is not untouchable at all and Hartenstein is more flexible since he is a proper center.

Basically a package of fillers and Chet, plus maybe pick and a protected pick would be good enough for KD. I just don't see Chet as that worldly player, he is a more fragile less athletic pre-ACL Porzingis who likes dribbling but only effective against slow centers really.

But overall, Thunder win or lose, is not in top 5 teams who can trade for KD. Just saying that their offer could definitely include someone like Chet, who isn't that good.

[BobbieL]

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NBA doesn't want the trade to happen before the Finals but they are happy to have the rumor mill going strong. So the NBA will slow the roll of a trade actually happening until after the Finals

By "they" you mean twitter nobodies looking for clout and clicks. I swear GOK keeps half these awful twitter accounts afloat single handedly.

No, I mean the NBA . they don't want a trade to happen - or won't let it be announced

But the NBA is fine with the rumor mill