Thunder in the 2014 Draft

[spearsy23]

Nobody is taking on Perkins for the 29th and 32nd. And we need rookie scale contracts.

Teams like New Orleans,Orlando or Charlotte that don't have any problem of salaries spaces in next years, could be interested in a trade like this...They would earn two picks and a veteran like Perk that can teach something to young centers like Davis or Noel.

Perkins is just too much for that little incentive, the future mavs pick and our pick is the best case scenario, I think.

[Devilanche]

We don't need 2 centers, i think Gobert is the perfect project. He is insanely gifted athletically, and tall (obviously). Can't teach height (or being athletic to a degree, okay you can but who cares). You can teach basketball though!

i prefer Adams as a project though.

What you can't see: Lane Agility and 3/4 court sprint:
1: 12.85, 3.57
2: 11.85, 3.40

One has a better vert, one makes up for it by being taller/having a longer wingspan. Gobert would have an easier time defending with his height and wingspan then Adams.

Gobert is more experienced considering he played professionally overseas and aren't both his parents professional athletes (Adams is from a sporting family as well). Adams has just 1 year whereby he faced opponents more of his size i doubt in New Zealand he faced alot of opponents on a similar height/skills combo.
As such i find the lack of improvement on the offensive end for gobert more worrying though at OKC i doubt either would develop a post game more of a mid range shot and Adams has shown that abit more than Gobert.

The important thing to me is that Adam has 20 pounds on Gobert so he should be more ready physically at least and is a full year younger.

Of course if either is a premier offensive rebounder or can show an ability to guard stretch 4 well then i may lean more towards them.

[Devilanche]

Nobody is taking on Perkins for the 29th and 32nd. And we need rookie scale contracts.

Teams like New Orleans,Orlando or Charlotte that don't have any problem of salaries spaces in next years, could be interested in a trade like this...They would earn two picks and a veteran like Perk that can teach something to young centers like Davis or Noel.

Perkins is just too much for that little incentive, the future mavs pick and our pick is the best case scenario, I think.

that's a very poor prize for the other party unless they really value Perkins influence, if only Bobcats would do a Perkins + 29+ Dallas pick for Haywood + capspace would be a damn good deal.

[spearsy23]

Teams like New Orleans,Orlando or Charlotte that don't have any problem of salaries spaces in next years, could be interested in a trade like this...They would earn two picks and a veteran like Perk that can teach something to young centers like Davis or Noel.

Perkins is just too much for that little incentive, the future mavs pick and our pick is the best case scenario, I think.

that's a very poor prize for the other party unless they really value Perkins influence, if only Bobcats would do a Perkins + 29+ Dallas pick for Haywood + capspace would be a damn good deal.

That's why I think it's the absolute best case. A team MAY do it, even if extremely unlikely. More likely either the 12 or lamb would be attached.

Edit: MOST LIKELY is obviously Perkins being the thunder's starting center for the next 2 years

[Devilanche]

That's why I think it's the absolute best case. A team MAY do it, even if extremely unlikely. More likely either the 12 or lamb would be attached.

Edit: MOST LIKELY is obviously Perkins being the thunder's starting center for the next 2 years

yikes. that's the worst case scenario. #12 on center on panning out? or #12 not on center.

[spearsy23]

That's why I think it's the absolute best case. A team MAY do it, even if extremely unlikely. More likely either the 12 or lamb would be attached.

Edit: MOST LIKELY is obviously Perkins being the thunder's starting center for the next 2 years

yikes. that's the worst case scenario. #12 on center on panning out? or #12 not on center.

#12 on center but not getting to play unless Perkins is dead or brooks is fired. I don't think any of them will be 'ready' until then anyway, that doesn't change that Perkins isn't ever going to be ready though.

[Chalky White]

Don't see any selection being able to contribute in any meangful way on this roster, with this coach, after the first 10 picks. Nobody available at 12 will be ready by conference finals/finals next season, and I honestly don't see much point in picking up a developmental project that'll be stashed and that will never play.

I also don't see very many teams being interested in taking on Perkins in any deal involving picks. He simply offers too little for too much and will probably be OKC's starting center going into next season because of it. He should have been amnestied or traded last off season. Harden was dealt for a piss poor package upon review, and with this draft being relatively week compared to prior years I don't know that there will be a player available at 12 worth the time it'll take for them to break rotation. I wouldn't be against packaging picks to trade up.

Also, how these guys performed at the combine doesn't do much for me. None of Z-Bo, Marc Gasol, Joakim Noah or Roy Hibbert are athletic freaks; but Javale McGee, Deandre Jordan, Bismack Biyombo, and Blake Griffin are. If it wasn't clear this year, it should have been: This roster needs tough, gritty, smart basketball players. I don't want to see Durant/Westbrook needlessly burdened with a load that could be relieved by smart rotations, intelligent coaching, and a reliable supporting cast. The championship window is now, and whether or not they can help us get there and how soon should be the primary questioned associated with any prospect. Otherwise, we're just wasting time.

[spearsy23]

Don't see any selection being able to contribute in any meangful way on this roster, with this coach, after the first 10 picks. Nobody available at 12 will be ready by conference finals/finals next season, and I honestly don't see much point in picking up a developmental project that'll be stashed and that will never play.

I also don't see very many teams being interested in taking on Perkins in any deal involving picks. He simply offers too little for too much and will probably be OKC's starting center going into next season because of it. He should have been amnestied or traded last off season. Harden was dealt for a piss poor package upon review, and with this draft being relatively week compared to prior years I don't know that there will be a player available at 12 worth the time it'll take for them to break rotation. I wouldn't be against packaging picks to trade up.

Also, how these guys performed at the combine doesn't do much for me. None of Z-Bo, Marc Gasol, Joakim Noah or Roy Hibbert are athletic freaks; but Javale McGee, Deandre Jordan, Bismack Biyombo, and Blake Griffin are. If it wasn't clear this year, it should have been: This roster needs tough, gritty, smart basketball players. I don't want to see Durant/Westbrook needlessly burdened with a load that could be relieved by smart rotations, intelligent coaching, and a reliable supporting cast. The championship window is now, and whether or not they can help us get there and how soon should be the primary questioned associated with any prospect. Otherwise, we're just wasting time.

So your position is that the pick should be moved for an upgrade in talent but it won't be enough for a team to take Perkins? In that event there is absolutely zero chance the pick is traded. Just having a guy on a rookie scale deal is more valuable to us than any upgrade that will inevitably push us into the tax. The 12th pick in this draft isn't any less valuable than an other year, it's the top of the draft that's weak and it's an exceptional draft for center prospects, which is pretty handy, seeing as we need a center. Durant, Westbrook, ibaka are all athletic freaks and they've turned out pretty well, what we need is a hard worker with upside, acting like a guy won't be good because they're a good athlete is obtuse. Also, I'd take McGee or Jordan in place of Perkins in a heartbeat (even though Perkins is tough and gritty).

It's also WAY to early to decide how much return we got for harden. As a rookie he shot 40% while scoring 10ppg and averaging almost as many turnovers as assists on an 8th seed. Last year Reggie Jackson was a complete non-factor, if there's one thing that can't be taken away from brooks and presti it's the fact that they are exceptional at developing players, but we're going to base the ROI of Harden on lamb's rookie season and a draft pick that hasn't been made yet?

[Devilanche]

So your position is that the pick should be moved for an upgrade in talent but it won't be enough for a team to take Perkins? In that event there is absolutely zero chance the pick is traded. Just having a guy on a rookie scale deal is more valuable to us than any upgrade that will inevitably push us into the tax. The 12th pick in this draft isn't any less valuable than an other year, it's the top of the draft that's week and it's a exceptional draft for center prospects which is pretty handy, seeing as we need a center.

It's also WAY to early to decide how much return we got for harden. As a rookie he shot 40% while scoring 10ppg and averaging almost as many turnovers as assists on an 8th seed. Last year Reggie Jackson was a complete non-factor, if there's one thing that can't be taken away from brooks and presti it's the fact that they are exceptional at developing players, but we're going to base the ROI of Harden on lamb's rookie season and a draft pick that hasn't been made yet?

that's the part i dont understand. It's supposedly weak in franchise changing talent but pretty much once you're past 5th pick there's no franchise changing talents only diamond in the rough that at most 1-2 teams will identify and develop.
Lamb should be evaluated in the upcoming season, let's wait and see what the #12 pick and Dallas pick will eventually turn into.

But hey, If Dwight ever choose Houston, Presti will get slammed for the trades for ever until we win a ring before Houston... and if Houston ever win a ring before us, all bets are off.

[Balkman32]

All of these centers are no better than Aldrich or Orton. The thunder need to concentrate on the BAP. Zeller, Dieng and Plumlee should be on the short list of big men @ 12. If they are both gone Shabazz needs to be the pick.

Adams, Gobert, Olynyk and Nogueira should not be considered w/ the 12th pick.

The Thunder are a team which can buy the Mav's pick #13 with the Eric Maynor trade exception. If they want.

But, if the Thunder make picks @ 12 and 29 and pick up the team options of Liggins, Thabeet, and Orton they will b right @ 70 million. Once they go over that amount they will be in the Lux tax which I do not see them entering. Since it is a $1.50 on the dollar. Plus, if they want to go into the Lux tax next year it would cost $2.50 on the dollar which a small market team cannot afford.

I would not be surprised if they stand pat even tho that is not Sam's usual way. I could also see him moving the 29th pick for a future 1st, just to save some extra cash on the cap. He could bring in a guy like Cole Aldrich for the vet min which would cost less than that player @ 29.

The Thunder should be adding a big, a point, and a scorer (to push Thabo, Lamb, and PJ3. I do not see any possibility of Mr. Martin coming back to OKC unless he took a huge payout and played for 3-4 million a year.

[Chalky White]

Don't see any selection being able to contribute in any meangful way on this roster, with this coach, after the first 10 picks. Nobody available at 12 will be ready by conference finals/finals next season, and I honestly don't see much point in picking up a developmental project that'll be stashed and that will never play.

I also don't see very many teams being interested in taking on Perkins in any deal involving picks. He simply offers too little for too much and will probably be OKC's starting center going into next season because of it. He should have been amnestied or traded last off season. Harden was dealt for a piss poor package upon review, and with this draft being relatively week compared to prior years I don't know that there will be a player available at 12 worth the time it'll take for them to break rotation. I wouldn't be against packaging picks to trade up.

Also, how these guys performed at the combine doesn't do much for me. None of Z-Bo, Marc Gasol, Joakim Noah or Roy Hibbert are athletic freaks; but Javale McGee, Deandre Jordan, Bismack Biyombo, and Blake Griffin are. If it wasn't clear this year, it should have been: This roster needs tough, gritty, smart basketball players. I don't want to see Durant/Westbrook needlessly burdened with a load that could be relieved by smart rotations, intelligent coaching, and a reliable supporting cast. The championship window is now, and whether or not they can help us get there and how soon should be the primary questioned associated with any prospect. Otherwise, we're just wasting time.

So your position is that the pick should be moved for an upgrade in talent but it won't be enough for a team to take Perkins? In that event there is absolutely zero chance the pick is traded. Just having a guy on a rookie scale deal is more valuable to us than any upgrade that will inevitably push us into the tax. The 12th pick in this draft isn't any less valuable than an other year, it's the top of the draft that's weak and it's an exceptional draft for center prospects, which is pretty handy, seeing as we need a center. Durant, Westbrook, ibaka are all athletic freaks and they've turned out pretty well, what we need is a hard worker with upside, acting like a guy won't be good because they're a good athlete is obtuse. Also, I'd take McGee or Jordan in place of Perkins in a heartbeat (even though Perkins is tough and gritty).

It's also WAY to early to decide how much return we got for harden. As a rookie he shot 40% while scoring 10ppg and averaging almost as many turnovers as assists on an 8th seed. Last year Reggie Jackson was a complete non-factor, if there's one thing that can't be taken away from brooks and presti it's the fact that they are exceptional at developing players, but we're going to base the ROI of Harden on lamb's rookie season and a draft pick that hasn't been made yet?

None of these center prospects are any better than Orton, and will sit on the bench or in the d league for a year two offering minimal contributions as we compete in the playoffs where their services are needed.

And I didn't say that because they're good athletes they won't be good basketball players, thats ridiculous. I'm saying that them being good athletes doesn't necessarily reflect their ability to become capable ball players, hence the references used. Moreover, I'm not comparing McGee or Jordan to Perkins, but to Roy Hibbert and Marc Gasol in an effort to illustrate just how little athleticism matters if you lack a fundamental understanding of the game.

It isn't too early to declare anything. Unless Jeremy Lamb steps in here and immediately proves himself an elite NBA talent, OKC lost the Houston trade emphatically. Harden is 23 and unquestionably the best young SG in the game with an argument for being a top 10 player, if not top 5. He would have been able to step into Wetsbrook's role had he gotten injured, which he wouldn't have because Houston would have never made the playoffs, but had he, James would have been able to step into the role of primary ball handler and OKC would still be playing right now. Instead, he was dealt for a one dimensional shooter as a rental, a D league player we don't know what we'll get from, and mid level picks. A trash package and possibly the worst any team outside of Orlando has gotten for a star player over the last few years. The only difference is, he wanted to play here and was still under contract.(not to mention Houston is now primed to land Howard, all thanks to the contributions of our brilliant GM. But hey, why not create another title contender in the west when you didn't have to?)

If Reggie Jackson is the standard for Jeremy Lamb we should all be disappointed and the hot seat needs to start warming under Mr. Presti. Before this ends up Cleveland part 2, both this fan base and the FO needs to wake up and start operating under the assumption that Durant resigning here isn't a guarantee. He's going to be 25 next season; and I don't know that trading his best friends, replacing them with both cheap(Fisher) and expensive(Perkins) trash, strapping him with the worst coach in basketball, and failing in the playoffs as he's asked to go 1 on 5 is the most ideal strategy to convince him he should spend his career here. As a said, the window is now, and being cheap and stupid as we have been is going to come back to bite us if we keep playing around.

[comingbacktousa]

None of these center prospects are any better than Orton, and will sit on the bench or in the d league for a year two offering minimal contributions as we compete in the playoffs where their services are needed.

And I didn't say that because they're good athletes they won't be good basketball players, thats ridiculous. I'm saying that them being good athletes doesn't necessarily reflect their ability to become capable ball players, hence the references used. Moreover, I'm not comparing McGee or Jordan to Perkins, but to Roy Hibbert and Marc Gasol in an effort to illustrate just how little athleticism matters if you lack a fundamental understanding of the game.

It isn't too early to declare anything. Unless Jeremy Lamb steps in here and immediately proves himself an elite NBA talent, OKC lost the Houston trade emphatically. Harden is 23 and unquestionably the best young SG in the game with an argument for being a top 10 player, if not top 5. He would have been able to step into Wetsbrook's role had he gotten injured, which he wouldn't have because Houston would have never made the playoffs, but had he, James would have been able to step into the role of primary ball handler and OKC would still be playing right now. Instead, he was dealt for a one dimensional shooter as a rental, a D league player we don't know what we'll get from, and mid level picks. A trash package and possibly the worst any team outside of Orlando has gotten for a star player over the last few years. The only difference is, he wanted to play here and was still under contract.(not to mention Houston is now primed to land Howard, all thanks to the contributions of our brilliant GM. But hey, why not create another title contender in the west when you didn't have to?)

If Reggie Jackson is the standard for Jeremy Lamb we should all be disappointed and the hot seat needs to start warming under Mr. Presti. Before this ends up Cleveland part 2, both this fan base and the FO needs to wake up and start operating under the assumption that Durant resigning here isn't a guarantee. He's going to be 25 next season; and I don't know that trading his best friends, replacing them with both cheap(Fisher) and expensive(Perkins) trash, strapping him with the worst coach in basketball, and failing in the playoffs as he's asked to go 1 on 5 is the most ideal strategy to convince him he should spend his career here. As a said, the window is now, and being cheap and stupid as we have been is going to come back to bite us if we keep playing around.

First Orton is a not a nba caliber player at all. To say none of the centers in this draft are going to be better than him is dumb.

Second, did you watch the playoffs? Jackson played extremely well when after Westbrook went down. For a 2nd year player to average 15ppg on 47fg% is pretty good,especially considering the circumstance and defenses played. Check out Wade's stats these playoffs and compare the two. Jackson in his second year was arguably better than Harden in his 2nd year. If Lamb plays as well as Jackson in the playoffs, there is absolutely no reason for Presti's to be on the hot seat.

3rd, it amazes me how many people are saying the Harden trade was terrible. This season OKC was better as a TEAM than with Harden last year. That includes Perkins also. They had a higher winning percentage, higher offensive rating, better defensive rating, and one of the highest margin of victories ever. In what way were they worse? The argument that OKC would still be playing with him is dumb. There is no way to know that for sure. Tony allen is an extremely good defender. Considering Harden lives off pick and roll, I have a hard time believeing he would be anywhere close to as effective as usual when Tony Allen and Marc Gasol are the two players defending that pick and roll.

The trade was made to keep the window open longer. If Lamb/12/Dallas 1st pan out as rotational players at least, it was a smart trade. Having 3 max players and Ibaka at 12 mil signed long term, is not a feasible stragery with the new luxury tax rules unless revenue like the Lakers. OKC didn't skip a beat this season without him, so trading him before they absolutely had to doesn't make a difference.

Presti gave Harden a chance to resign. Harden turned down 52 for 4 years. The max he could get from the Thunder was 60 million. The difference was 2 million a year. Harden said no. Westbrook gave up more than that when he signed his extension by not invoking the Derrick Rose rule, while also agreeing to no play option for the last season. Harden's actions certainly didn't show he wanted to be in OKC, he said he did but when it came down to it he wasn't willing to sacrifice the same way his teammate did.

4th. Durant just donated a $1 million dollars to the city, influenced the Thunder and NBA to match with $1million each, and nike to donate $1million worth of products. Its safe to say he loves the city. He also agreed to sign without the standard player option at the end of his contract. Every report that came out as well as his actions say he loves the city and playing for the Thunder. Also the thunder are perennial contenders, so leaving for "basketball reasons" is out of the question. So factoring all that in plus the fact that he would get more money by staying in OKC, I highly doubt he leaves.

[Jajwanda]

Would the Thunder do a mid 2nd+3m in cash+a future 2nd for their late first?

[Devilanche]

Would the Thunder do a mid 2nd+3m in cash+a future 2nd for their late first?

early 40s? I would do that. could always flip that cash for another later 2nd to stash.

[Royal Ben]

Kelly Olynyk would look really nice next to Ibaka ..... but not 7fter .. 6-10
Mason Plumlee ... much more physical rebounder!


Archie Goodwin Kentucky 6-5 freshman guard interests me but needs seasoning at Tulsa

[sonictecture]

Kelly Olynyk would look really nice next to Ibaka ..... but not 7fter .. 6-10
Mason Plumlee ... much more physical rebounder!


Archie Goodwin Kentucky 6-5 freshman guard interests me but needs seasoning at Tulsa

I like Olynyk and was thinking of a comparable for him and my first thought was a young Nowitzki, but realized that Andrea Bargnani might be a closer comparison based on rebounding ability. I know Bargnani's reputation, but hadn't watched a lot of him, so I did some video research. Amazingly, Bargnani is bigger and more athletic than Olynyk and had several big games with Toronto. I'd embrace Olynyk if Presti drafted him, but he's fallen down my draft board.

Mason Plumlee is the guy no teams fans wants to draft, but he reminds me a lot of Collison. Athletic, not a big build, probably won't add a lot of weight in career. Projects as a role playing rebounder/defender type, probably won't ever develop a reliable jumper, seems to have some intangibles.

I don't see the allure of Goodwin.