Thunder trade #32 pick to Heat for #18 Pick AND Daequan Cook

[sonictecture]

Does Presti have enough money for Lee after taking on Cook and draft picks?

I think this move was a signal that Presti isn't targeting free agents this summer. Admittedly he could make additional moves to shed salary, but why go through all of the trouble of getting to 18 or higher if David Lee is your target?

My opinion is Presti came to the conclusion he wasn't going to be able to get Lee away from NY or NJ due to Lee's love for the area.

I think ball movement can be helped by adjusting the system or Perhaps Harden stays and helps in that area. Durant isn't hasn't been a distributor but he can improve if asked.

If #18 is where it ends, who is the player?

[slick_watts]

We're probably going to waive Kyle Weaver with this trade completed, and since Weaver's salary is unguaranteed for next season if he's waived before August 1st. We still have roughly $12 million and change to play around with. A deal starting at $12 million with 8% raises would end up as 5/70, so there's probably enough left to offer Lee a deal around 5/65 which is what I'd consider decent. Probably less likely now, though, you're right.

I think we're looking at Solomon Alabi at 18 if we keep it. Then a guard, then a foreign dude.

The guy in this draft who I would love to get is Greg Monroe. Don't see how that happens though, unfortunately.

[dream_catcher_9]

#18 Solomon Alabi

#21 Quincy Pondexter

#26 Tibor Pleiss

#51 Da'Sean Butler

just a random mock before tomorrow.

[sonic-ben]

#18 Solomon Alibi
#21 Whiteside or Larry Sanders
#26 T White....

[Drehova]

Please no Aldrich 10 give me Greg Monroe all day

[Frank Lucas]

I think this more was made in order to get a player already in the league. Al Jefferson is a black hole so I'm not sure if he would fit. You guys need a low post presents who is willing to pass the ball. Al Jefferson isn't the guy for you and I'm sure your GM knows that. Something is up just not sure it's with Minn for Al Jefferson.

[Big_Mac79]

We're probably going to waive Kyle Weaver with this trade completed

Slick I hope you are horribly wrong here
This would make me very sad

[Effigy]

We're probably going to waive Kyle Weaver with this trade completed, and since Weaver's salary is unguaranteed for next season if he's waived before August 1st. We still have roughly $12 million and change to play around with. A deal starting at $12 million with 8% raises would end up as 5/70, so there's probably enough left to offer Lee a deal around 5/65 which is what I'd consider decent. Probably less likely now, though, you're right.

I think we're looking at Solomon Alabi at 18 if we keep it. Then a guard, then a foreign dude.

The guy in this draft who I would love to get is Greg Monroe. Don't see how that happens though, unfortunately.

Shamsports puts you at $42.1 million now. The Cap is expected to be $56 million. Your 3 first rounders will need about $4 million, that puts you guys at around $10 million or less in cap room. Weaver makes a little under a million, so that puts you around $11. Probably not enough to get Lee, but it depends what his other options are. The fact that there's so many PFs available does likely hurt his chances though. Do you think OKC even wants Lee? I get the feeling they aren't going to sign an expensive FA, knowing they have to pay Durant and Green next year, and Westbrook the year after that.

[Big_Mac79]

Do you think OKC even wants Lee? I get the feeling they aren't going to sign an expensive FA, knowing they have to pay Durant and Green next year, and Westbrook the year after that.

I don't think they will sign Lee
They might not add any FAs

[revprodeji]

ESPN stated in their draft preview they believe that Al Jefferson is the most likely player to be traded on or before the draft.
We've discussed Jefferson for Green for months with the typical conclusion that Green is not enough for Minnesota. Would #10 and Green or Harden do the trick?
It could be argued that Ibaka not Harden is currently the 3rd member of the existing core of players. With that assume Ibaka will not be traded. In addition if you do acquire Jefferson, Ibaka is potentially a great fit alongside him in the front court. The addition of Jefferson reduces the available role for Harden or Green making them expendable.

Green does not do anything for us, but you have pieces we like.

Harden,
maybe 3 way Green
with either Ibaka, or the LAC 1st rd pick. (I have problems gauging your value of Ibaka with fans all over the place.)

As a MN fan, I think these are the tools we start discussing. I do not want to trade Al, but our front office thinks different. I am just trying to make the most of the situation. I think Harden would be a good fit for the wolves.

I think this more was made in order to get a player already in the league. Al Jefferson is a black hole so I'm not sure if he would fit. You guys need a low post presents who is willing to pass the ball. Al Jefferson isn't the guy for you and I'm sure your GM knows that. Something is up just not sure it's with Minn for Al Jefferson.

Not at all. Jefferson is a willing passer. The better question is who on the wolves previous teams would you be passing to? His best scenario would be as a #2 option next to a wing scorer (Gasol for Kobe). If you guys could get him next to Durant it would be amazing. You would probably get a lot of wolves fans as well.

[slick_watts]

Not at all. Jefferson is a willing passer. The better question is who on the wolves previous teams would you be passing to? His best scenario would be as a #2 option next to a wing scorer (Gasol for Kobe). If you guys could get him next to Durant it would be amazing. You would probably get a lot of wolves fans as well.

See.. I hear you on this, but that's just such a big leap of faith. I've kept a close eye on on Big Al ever since the Sonics stupidly passed on him for Big Red, and I've never really seen him as a willing passer. One of our huge problems as a team offensively is the lack of coherent ball movement, especially in the front court. If we're going to spend big $$$ to bring in a big piece, I think he has to solve this problem. I'm not sure Al would do that.

[revprodeji]

An understandable concern. Just from watching games with Al, I believe he is a willing passer. He just lost a lot of confidence in his teammates. He is willing to take on double teams because he honestly beats them most of the time. I think he has too much pressure as the number one option and would be better as the number 2. His offensive skills are so gifted. I understand Kahn's reasoning to let him go, but I do not agree with him.

Picture this. Playoffs, game slows down. Ball goes into the post to Al with Durant spotting up on the wing. How the crap do you double Al? Al/Durant/Westbrook would be special and you would see me posting a lot more on this forum.

[slick_watts]

I agree with that. Especially since we drafted a legitimate center in Cole Aldrich, maybe we could better accomodate someone like Big Al.

What do you make of Al Jefferson's low scoring efficiency? I've thought that it's due to him being a #1 option when he's more a #2 on a good team, but it's another thing that's somewhat concerning. The Thunder like to get out in transition and create offense from our defense - this is something I can't imagine Al really being a big part of. Acquiring him, though it'd probably make our offense a lot better, would also require an overhaul of what we do offensively.

I'm just unsure. I've gone back and forth on Al Jefferson ever since the trade deadline loomed. If he's available for peanuts, then I think it's something to look at. Maybe that's the case since it's gone from Ibaka and Harden for Al Jefferson to Ibaka OR Harden for Al Jefferson to "O.K. we'll just take Harden". It's not a decision to make lightly because if Al doesn't work out he's pretty much stuck here.

[revprodeji]

I think the low EFF is from 2 factors.

1.- He does not get to the line much. This is because he is more of a "moves" then a power player when he goes to score. Think of streetball. If you are fouled you get the ball again, no big deal, but if you can move around the foul and score you get the points. I think this is something coaching can change, but I think it is a misleading stat. Also, you do not get many calls from the refs when you are on a bad team.

2.- Who exactly on last year's wolves could score? There were numerous times when Al simply had to go to work. Often times good results, sometimes not. This would drastically change on a better team.

We would want Harden and something else. (Hopefully, who knows with Kahn).

[HIF]

Any news on Cook?

Are you guys keeping him and will he get PT.

At Miami he was very much a confidence guy. Great 3Pter when confident and decent D.

[HIF]

3 weeks and no reply.

I guess that's my answer

[slick_watts]

3 weeks and no reply.

I guess that's my answer

Cook will probably be bench depth and injury insurance. Last season when Harden missed a week or two, the offense completely grinded to a halt with the second unit. Unless Brooks breaks character and adopts more flexible rotation habits, I don't see Cook seeing the floor all that much outside of situational runs.

However, I would personally like to see Harden supplant Thabo as the starter, and then use Cook / Thabo as situational reserves with the second unit. I think the coaching staff likes Thabo too much to relegate him to that role, though.

[HIF]

thanks

[Envelopes]

Thabo should only be on if the other team has a star wing on the court. So if Harden is sitting and Thabo doesn't have someone to defend play someone who can shoot.