VETERANS

[ALL HAIL]

To me, all this team really needs is a strong bunch of veteran leaders who actually play in the regular rotation.

I think OKC should go after Dampier or Camby at center, Bibby as the third guard with Harden and Westbrook, Kurt Thomas as a backup 4/5, and maybe even Stackhouse to spell Durant.

If OKC were to get Dampier, Bibby, and Kurt Thomas I think they could make the playoffs ... as it stand they are too young and inexperienced.

Young players perform better when there is solid veteran leadership on the team ... can you imagine how much better Bibby would make Westbrook and Harden? Or how much better Kurt Thomas would make Jeff Green?

[Clangus]

not a terrible Idea.

We had Kurt Thomas before though, then traded him. LOL

[mnkinga23]

I would love to swing a deal for Marcus Camby, because I think that he is exactly what we need at the 5 with Kristic. It would be even better if he was 30 instead of 35. Kurt Thomas has a history with the organization, but I don't know if he would be interested in being a mentor for the vereran's minimum like a Joe Smith would be. Mike Bibby would be too expansive and he is still looking to play a major role at this part of his career. Those things and that he can't guard the chair that your sitting on would probably put him out of the Thunder's plans. All that being said, I agree that Presti needs to find a few high character veterans that can help the young guys grow.

[NashtyNas]

How about acquire Ben Wallace, sign Rasho, Iverson & Dahntay Jones.

Westbrook/Iverson/Livingston
Harden/Iverson/Weaver
Durant/Sefolosha/Jones
Green/Wallace/White
Kristic/Rasho/Wallace

[wiff]

I'd be more than happy to bring in a vet with a package of Watson and Wilkins/Atkins but who is available?

And no Iverson is not a player I would want anywhere near these guys. We all know how he loves to practice.

[Big_Mac79]

Damp isn't available
Camby isn't available
Bibby isn't available
KT could be available but he would just add to the logjam at the 4
Is Stack better than Thabo right now?
Just bring in a 5 to give some depth like Mikki
And a 2 to add some scoring
RIght now I see the lineup as
Westbrook/Livingston
Harden/Weaver
Durant/Thabo
Green/DJ/Ibaka
Kristic/Collison/BJ
12 players that gives you 3 spots
Find a taker for Earl/Wilkins/Atkins maybe even add in Nick. His time looks to be up in OKC

[wizkid27]

I like Weaver well enough, but the thing I keep coming back to is that I like all of the other pieces more and that we've got to add another scorer in the backcourt. Thabo and Livingston can both bring a lot to the table, but I don't feel like Weaver provides us much more than a half-way decent all around player. I think that Weaver can stay on as the 11th or 12th man and be the 3rd string point and shooting guard, that's his ideal role at this point to me. I don't think that any of the guys above are the right fit, but if we could bring in a vet scorer to play the 2 guard, then we'd be looking good. With Livingston's height we could even target a smaller guard in the Nate Robinson/Bobby Jackson mold (don't particularly love either of those guys, but just an example).

[old rem]

You could try trading Collison to GSW. Maggette is available and Jackson might be.

[wizkid27]

Maggette and Jackson are both negative team guys IMO. Both of them are talented players, no doubt. But Jackson is one of my least favorite players and Maggette just comes across as a guy who looks for his shots.

[old rem]

Nelson kind of mucked up Jackson a bit,wanted him to be the point forward,the hub of the offense...and also to play 40 min at a fast pace. Jack is ultra competitive and given a mission a bit beyond his ability...he tried TOO hard to do it. The numbers were career high but the efficiency was poor,mainly in the 4th quarter when he was tired and yet trying to win the game. Jack is a guy a coach SHOULD restrain...not provoke.

Maggette's mission was drive to the rim and score. Nellie has a tendency to overemphasize his priority and for awhile,Maggette was ALL drive and score. We seem to get that. A guy gets put into a "role" that's based on his main skillset,but the way it's done does go against that player's versatility.

Look up Maggette and Josh Howard. The stat lines were almost even,with Maggette ahead in almost any category...except salary where Howard costs more. Mags had pretty much the same production over the last 3-4 yrs. He got put into a few other roles as the season went on and did his job without any fussing.

If the Thunder can find a road tested 20 ppg scorer for Collison and filler...go for it. GSW can find plenty of role for these guys,but has so many SG/SF players who deserve to play,they are not getting full value from all of them. A basic banger PF type would be good to get,but if this isn't doable,the Warriors can look elsewhere.

[HomieOmey]

As long as the Thunder don't rush into filling the roster with veterans (like Toronto did two summers ago), I'd be happy adding a few role players here and there. Ben Wallace could be worth the look. Would probably stay away from Iverson, but having BW and AI go all out in games could ignite a fire and inspire the youngsters, which would be a great thing. I wouldn't give either of them a contract longer than a year though.