Who's the Thunder's Owner?

[Rah Fentons]

Well, they may not be limited by cap space, but as said above, there will be limits on revenue. And I don't know how much I would bet that all those cap exceptions will still exist in the new CBA.

Also, who else besides Bosh really fits a need ? most of the FA's available this summer are SF or G's.

[slick_watts]

The pool of talent available for teams with cap space is not limited solely to free agents. In fact, I think it's much more likely that Sam Presti will acquire a player in a trade. Having that cap space allows Sam Presti great flexibility. For example: if he wanted to trade for Andris Biedrins.. he wouldn't have to trade Golden State much of anything since we could absorb his entire salary. Not saying Biedrins is the answer, but the fact is that Presti can acquire almost any player available in a trade using the combination of cap space and other assets.

Pursuing a player in a trade also allows Presti the possibility of acquiring a player on a shorter term deal. Al Jefferson is expensive but only has three years left, so he would not interfere with extensions to James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Eric Maynor, or Byron Mullens. I don't know if we could get Jefferson, but again, the cap space allows for such moves to be made..

Pretty much, if a player is made available, cap space makes it much easier to facilitate a trade.

[Rah Fentons]

In defense of the writers at NewsOK , they are not the neophytes you make them out to be. The sports editor, Mike Sherman, spent most of his career in Maryland where he covered the Wiz. He's been in Oklahoma City maybe 5 to 10 years now, I can't recall exactly when he took over.

And Darnell Mayberry was hired specifically to cover the Hornets, that was fall of 2005. Before that , Darnelly worked for a paper in Akron , Ohio where he covered the Cavs .

So if they leave the impression that the Thunder will not use cap space on a free agent, then there's something to that. Especially considering that NewsOK is one of the owner's family business enterprises. The NewsOK writers and staff have access no one else has.

As to the original question, do the owners have deep pockets. Well, if that means they will pay luxury tax , then its my opinion , no . As I said, I think they spend to the revenues the team can generate. At this time, I don't think they will operate in the red. Just from things I heard and read during the relocation process, and considering the state of the primary business of two of the owners, I think they would like a chance to recoup some of that money they spent in Seattle before they think about buying a championship.

[Rah Fentons]

The pool of talent available for teams with cap space is not limited solely to free agents. In fact, I think it's much more likely that Sam Presti will acquire a player in a trade. Having that cap space allows Sam Presti great flexibility. For example: if he wanted to trade for Andris Biedrins.. he wouldn't have to trade Golden State much of anything since we could absorb his entire salary. Not saying Biedrins is the answer, but the fact is that Presti can acquire almost any player available in a trade using the combination of cap space and other assets.

Pursuing a player in a trade also allows Presti the possibility of acquiring a player on a shorter term deal. Al Jefferson is expensive but only has three years left, so he would not interfere with extensions to James Harden, Serge Ibaka, Eric Maynor, or Byron Mullens. I don't know if we could get Jefferson, but again, the cap space allows for such moves to be made..

Pretty much, if a player is made available, cap space makes it much easier to facilitate a trade.

I can see them trading the draft picks this year, but I don't see them trading any of their young talent.

And to be concise ............ NBA + Salary Cap = J O K E

[slick_watts]

I don't expect Bennett and co. to go over the tax unless there's a clear expectation of making an NBA Finals. Remember, going deep in the NBA playoffs means a lot more revenue..

Most of the stuff at NewsOK regarding the Thunder is pretty bad compared to other markets. I guess that's to be expected, but Darnell in particular only seems to have a passing knowledge about some of the things he writes about (collective bargaining agreement, especially). For the Thunder to go into next season not having used their ~$12 million in cap space would be unprecedented in league history to my knowledge. A strong signal to the fan base basically saying, "We are not going to spend money to be competitive". NewsOK will undoubtedly spin it to, "OKC is saving that money to re-sign its rookies"; it almost seems like the OKC media is preparing the fanbase for that eventuality. I'd feel bad for the fans if that's what happens.

[Rah Fentons]

You talk from a pure basketball standpoint, but there are extenuating circumstances.

As already said, the owners have just over paid for the franchise and gave the City of Seattle 45 million to move the team. I have no doubt they would like to recoup as much of that as possible.

And we are in a new economy. Two of the owners are business enterprises are directly tied to the price of a commodity, that being natural gas. And in this economy, the future is not nearly as certain as more stable times.

And we are also on the precipice of a new CBA, which would cause all owners of every franchise to deviate from the norm.

Just because it says in the Official NBA Fan Guide , that owners should do " this " or do " that " , does not mean that it applies today.

As for NewsOK, its your word against theirs, and you're entitled to your opinion ............ but frankly, I'll take their word over some guy on a message board. No offense intended.

[wiff]

My gut tells me that the Thunder don't go into the Luxury tax unless they make it to the WCF and are looking for that last and final piece of the puzzle.

Otherwise they might be over the cap some but they won't hit the Luxury Tax. Too small of a market to mess with the TAX.

Plus once you cross the line of the Luxury Tax and your final piece doesn't bring you a ring, then you are going after another guy and the MLE's get really pricey, really quick.

But that's just my gut speaking.

[slick_watts]

You talk from a pure basketball standpoint, but there are extenuating circumstances.

As already said, the owners have just over paid for the franchise and gave the City of Seattle 45 million to move the team. I have no doubt they would like to recoup as much of that as possible.

And we are in a new economy. Two of the owners are business enterprises are directly tied to the price of a commodity, that being natural gas. And in this economy, the future is not nearly as certain as more stable times.

I don't think David Stern and the other owners would have accepted Clay Bennett and his consortium into the fold if they weren't able or willing to spend money to keep the team competitive. There's no expectation that the team will pay the luxury tax. However, the team can easily invest in a free agent or traded player without approaching the tax threshold for three or four years, at which time it'd be easily to re-evaluate. If the Thunder do not use their cap space, as you have suggested, then they should find new owners as I can't find any example of a team with that much cap space not using it to improve the roster. Maybe Okies are comfortable setting this kind of precedent in frugality. Others will definitely see through it.

As far as my opinion goes, feel free to do your own research on the matter. Get into the CBA and look at salaries, examine what the situation looks like down the road and project $$$ as best you can, making sure you conform to salary restrictions. Barring a severely pessimistic view of what the new CBA will entail, you will find that the Thunder have plenty of maneuverability to accomodate another player into the fold in a multitude of ways. Even moreso if you feel that Sam Presti is willing to consolidate some of the young talent at positions of strength into another star at a position of need.

Just because it says in the Official NBA Fan Guide , that owners should do " this " or do " that " , does not mean that it applies today.

Of course not, but considering we've been through decades of NBA, and NBA ownership, there are precedents that have been set, and expectations of what it is to own an NBA franchise. Expecting your ownership to pocket $12 million in cap space instead of using it to improve the team (under the illusion of 'saving it for the rookies') is not precedented in this league. I would question the ownership's capability to own an NBA team if this were to happen. Don't want to pay the luxury tax? Fine. Lining your pockets with $12 million when your team is knocking at the door to deep playoff runs? Unacceptable.

As for NewsOK, its your word against theirs, and you're entitled to your opinion ............ but frankly, I'll take their word over some guy on a message board. No offense intended.

That's fine. Again, though, I encourage you (or anyone) to do their own research into things.. I could fill a whole blog with Darnell's errors and oversights. Maybe I'll do that sometime.

[Rah Fentons]

They will definitely have their opportunity to spend money this offseason.

On who ?

Other than Chris Bosh, who else is out there that really fills a team need ? And fits the personality profile that Presti is looking for ?

I don't expect them to be active this off season other than resigning Durant and Green.

Let it be noted, that you are the one who brought up cap space in this discussion. The words " cap space " were not mentioned in any post until you brought it up in the post following, the one I quote above.

[slick_watts]

How, and indeed if, the Thunder use their cap space this offseason will be a strong indication of what kind of ownership we are dealing with. It's definitely pertinent to the conversation..