lots of rumors of Thunder moving up

[Royal Ben]

from the #1 pick ,#2 and even #13 rumor are all over for the Thunder being a player in this years Draft?

what do predict ?

[bondom34]

I don't really think they move up to 1/2, and don't see any point in taking the 13 from Dallas to help them sign a FA. Plus for that OKC has to probably either give up a later pick or take back a contract, which they can't really afford.

[Balkman32]

I think the Thunder and Dallas have already agreed to a deal that sends #13 to the Thunder for Dallas First Round Pick next year (Thunder Own). The Thunder have always been a team to take advantage of a free pick. When Miami was construction the Big 3 Sammy took Cook and the 18th Overall pick that year. I would not be surprised if the Thunder took the 12, 13, 29, & 32, and moved around a bit. I would not be surprised at all if they acquire a couple of first round picks next year as well.

[Devilanche]

I dont see us with the movable asset to move up into the top 4. It'll probably require 12 + lamb + additional .. i rather hold on to the mixture of asset than the top 4 pick.

Can't wait for draft night.

[Balkman32]

If the Thunder moved up to pick #4 they would be just under the Lux Tax w/ 13 players signed. They might be able to sign someone else once the season started to stay under the Tax. The Thing with the Tax is that after next season the Thunder will only have 8 people on their roster as of right now. Pending on the draft picks they might need to add 5 players with only 7 million to stay under the Lux Tax.

Even thought it looks like the Bobcats will be a great team to trade with I think the Thunder are more likely to try to get picks 6, 7, or 8, with the hope of getting one of the top 6. It would be nice if they were able to add one of the Top 10.

1 Ben McLemore
2 Victor Oladipo
3 Nerlens Noel
4 Anthony Bennett
5 Alex Len
6 Otto Porter Jr.
7 Trey Burke
8 Cody Zeller
9 Michael Carter-Williams
10 Shabazz Muhammad

[comingbacktousa]

One of MCW and Shabazz should be available at 12 if not both. I rank McCollum and KCP above both.

The only way I can see OKC getting into the top 8 is to move either Jackson or Lamb. Not sure who they would be moving up for. Len is likely going top 5. Don't think McLemore or Oladipo is clear cut better than Lamb. I'm high on Burke but Jackson still has 2 years left so no need to trade him yet due to not being able to resign him. Porter kind of makes sense for more small ball. Bennett and Zeller make sense if Ibaka is moving to center.

If OKC does get the 13th from Dallas, they should definitely use it to upgrade Perkins and not worry about prospects. 12,13, Perkins for Gortat even if it is a slight overpay.

[Balkman32]

Jackson or Lamb are going no where, both are cheaper than a top 10 pick, and both are NBA ready. I don't know if anyone in this draft could crack the Thunder's lineup next season.

Jackson might find himself on the block within the year. Since it looks like he will be taking over the Kevin Martin/ James Harden position with the help of Mr. Lamb.

If the Thunder get the Rights to #13, it will be a crazy draft night. This is where Sammy makes his living!

[kdthunderup]

Unless we can pick up Noel I dont see why we would move up in this draft

[Devilanche]

If the Thunder moved up to pick #4 they would be just under the Lux Tax w/ 13 players signed. They might be able to sign someone else once the season started to stay under the Tax. The Thing with the Tax is that after next season the Thunder will only have 8 people on their roster as of right now. Pending on the draft picks they might need to add 5 players with only 7 million to stay under the Lux Tax.

I think the tax line is calculated at the trade deadline or near it.

[spearsy23]

Depending entirely on how far oladipo slides he would be an excellent target, allowing us to cut ties with thabo after his contract. I'm a ku fan and naturally love mclemore to the extent I'd think about giving up lamb + 12 for him, don't think it'd be worth it though. The move I'd personally try to make is moving up enough for Adams.

[sonictecture]

The Len rumor surely means any potential deal is dead, but what if Presti had offered Hennigan Reggie Jackson, 2013 #12, the Dallas Pick and either the 2013 # 29 or a future first rounder?

[theokie]

Darnell Mayberry ‏@DarnellMayberry
Gut feeling says Thunder comes away with one of five players tomorrow: Alex Len, Victor Oladipo, Steven Adams, Cody Zeller or C.J. McCollum.

Darnell Mayberry ‏@DarnellMayberry
Obviously, with those names I think the Thunder is looking hard at trading up. Sam Presti has a history of being aggressive on draft night.


He's almost always right about OKC decisions. Although i don't know why we would waste a top 10 pick on a PG.

[sonictecture]

McCollum would offer the team something they don't currently have from the position which is shooting and he can play some SG as well in small lineups.

[theokie]

McCollum would offer the team something they don't currently have from the position which is shooting and he can play some SG as well in small lineups.

He'd still be the 5th guard and wouldnt get minutes. Or he'd render Lamb completely useless by taking his minutes. Either way it doesn't seem like a good idea for those reasons.

[Royal Ben]

Jackson or Lamb are going no where, both are cheaper than a top 10 pick, and both are NBA ready. I don't know if anyone in this draft could crack the Thunder's lineup next season.

Jackson might find himself on the block within the year. Since it looks like he will be taking over the Kevin Martin/ James Harden position with the help of Mr. Lamb.

If the Thunder get the Rights to #13, it will be a crazy draft night. This is where Sammy makes his living!

yet guard are easier to get than bigs .... thus if able

but another options is to trade Ibaka for a future center and put Durant at PF

[Devilanche]

The Len rumor surely means any potential deal is dead, but what if Presti had offered Hennigan Reggie Jackson, 2013 #12, the Dallas Pick and either the 2013 # 29 or a future first rounder?

I don't think it's enough personally. Orlando has some nice pieces that they got to try and draft a potential star or at least draft down for a potentially good future asset. None of those are in our offer.

[sonictecture]

But there is a general consensus that there are no potential stars at #2. Why would anyone give a star level prospect for a non star level draft slot?

[Devilanche]

If Cavs doesn't go Noel 1st, you just need one team who believe that Noel has star potential.
Their expected cost of trading up would be lesser in this draft then next + sufficient protection.

Note: I'm not too sure next year draft will be as deep as they say. Players may disappoint and some might choose to come back for another season. Of course, unknowns could come out of nowhere.

edit: future asset could be top 5 protected first in 2014? or even try to offer a lightly protected 2015 pick instead?

[sonictecture]

2014 draft has a much better top 5 talent level, the overall depth looks about the same.

We know Orlando is looking for a PG, is there a better fitting draft prospect or back up pg (other than Bledsoe) than Jackson for Hennigan?

[Devilanche]

That's the thing, you have to be in love with Noel to send a top 5 2014 pick to Orlando. even then, it's really a crapshot as top 5 talent may just drop at your draft position at 6.
Teams i can see making moves like that include NO? considering they already got a few solid building pieces.

Hennigan could be really high on Jackson but i think OKC would rather ride Jackson for another season and trade him next trade deadline. Let's not wait until what happen with Maynor though.

edit: i know maynor is a freak injury.
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