Next Roster Moves

[TBOKED]

Seems clear they intend to sign Huestis soon. While I don't think he can help the roster this season, I agree with the move because not doing it sends a clear message to the league that OKC management will swindle you. Even if he is willing to do so you can't send that kid back to d-league for 25K a year.

So if that is true, they still need to either clear another spot for Dakari or trade his rights. I think reducing luxury tax is probably the first priority, but they have until trade deadline to fix that problem. To me, Dakari plays in the d-league this year anyway, so given they are already stacked at center, barring a Huestis like deal, they have to trade McGrady or Dakari. Trading the former would have to bring back something really good. While Dakari could easily be thrown in a substitute for a 2nd rounder with Novak in a trade to someone with cap space, roster slot, and a need for a center.

We have all been trying to solve the SG problem, and there just aren't many options given what we are willing to give up and our lux tax status. So I think Novak goes with Dakari for nothing to reduce cap. Thoughts?

[Kizz Fastfists]

I think Huestis ends up back in the D-League. Johnson and Christon also end up in the D-League this year. Next year Huestis and Christon join the NBA and Johnson the year after, although Johnson could make it next year. The next move is to dump Novak.

[Podirk]

Novak dumped

Guest is signed

Go into reg season with 14 (will qualls stay around?)

[TBOKED]

Ooh, forgot about Qualls. I like his upside, long and athletic, and he could be a cheap way to replace Waiters at end of his contract. I'll bet they are hoping he shows some loyalty, and he also sees the opportunity to join a stacked team that could use a good SG prospect.

[slick_watts]

Might have to stretch Novak. Surely he has less value than Jones. I

[bondom34]

Might have to stretch Novak. Surely he has less value than Jones. I

I think they'd just take the hit for a year instead of digging into future cap space, he's at least Kanter's babysitter/friend/vet guy. I think the roster's set other than if he's moved.

[Bravenewworld]

Rosters done.
Novak is a give or take. Personally i think we should keep him for now. He's always been a very talented shooter and has value as a low minute 3rds string or situation player.

We have all been trying to solve the SG problem, and there just aren't many options given what we are willing to give up and our lux tax status.

We don't have a "SG problem".
We don't need a superstar at every position. Right now our 2 positions depth is going to be mostly Roberson (a developing 3D guy), Waiters (developing role player) Morrow (3pt guy) and Westbrook. And i actually think Westbrook in Donovan's system is going to nab up 12mpg+ at the 2.

[TBOKED]

Never said we need a superstar. It is just that Andre is 1 dimensional, Waiters is an inefficient chucker that occasional plays acceptable D. Morrow, while improved on D, is really just the opposite of Andre. Would be nice to have one SG that could be trusted with both O and D, but would be almost as content if we just sent Waiters packing. Morrow would get lion share of minutes, and Andre would be used situationally as a stopper. Everyone in the viewing audience can tell when Waiters has just decided to try to take someone one on one, passing to teammates be damned. When he does, he rarely makes the shot. It would be different if he penetrated and passed more to setup teammates, maybe had better shot selection, but he is too often a black hole.

[TBOKED]

And would love it if we saw Westbrook take the next step in evolution as a superstar. Last year he proved he can kill you with pass too. Playing a little SG would not only further demonstrate his range, but it would help get Cam minutes. Cam appears to be the kind of creator that could set up Westbrook for wide open wing shots. To have two creators with that front line would be crazy.

Plus he would start getting favorable comparisons to Jordan. Not saying he is better, but he has already demonstrated he can play point, carry a mash unit, and there is no PG currently feared more in the league than Westbrook due to his athleticism , motor and competitiveness.

[Bravenewworld]

Never said we need a superstar. It is just that Andre is 1 dimensional, Waiters is an inefficient chucker that occasional plays acceptable D. Morrow, while improved on D, is really just the opposite of Andre. Would be nice to have one SG that could be trusted with both O and D, but would be almost as content if we just sent Waiters packing. Morrow would get lion share of minutes, and Andre would be used situationally as a stopper. Everyone in the viewing audience can tell when Waiters has just decided to try to take someone one on one, passing to teammates be damned. When he does, he rarely makes the shot. It would be different if he penetrated and passed more to setup teammates, maybe had better shot selection, but he is too often a black hole.

None of this is a problem though.
Roberson is one of the best 2 guards in the NBA who is fully capable of being with the rest of the starting 4 and putting 10ppg. That's all we need there. Realistically, we wont get much more from that role and we cant really ask for much more. We're far better off with a 1 dimension lock down defender there.

[Andre Roberstan]

Never said we need a superstar. It is just that Andre is 1 dimensional, Waiters is an inefficient chucker that occasional plays acceptable D. Morrow, while improved on D, is really just the opposite of Andre. Would be nice to have one SG that could be trusted with both O and D, but would be almost as content if we just sent Waiters packing. Morrow would get lion share of minutes, and Andre would be used situationally as a stopper. Everyone in the viewing audience can tell when Waiters has just decided to try to take someone one on one, passing to teammates be damned. When he does, he rarely makes the shot. It would be different if he penetrated and passed more to setup teammates, maybe had better shot selection, but he is too often a black hole.

None of this is a problem though.
Roberson is one of the best 2 guards in the NBA who is fully capable of being with the rest of the starting 4 and putting 10ppg. That's all we need there. Realistically, we wont get much more from that role and we cant really ask for much more. We're far better off with a 1 dimension lock down defender there.

10PPG would be triple what he put up last year. One of the best 2 guards in the NBA is a reaaaaaalllly big stretch. I love Robes, but let's not get crazy.

[Kizz Fastfists]

You can't judge Roberson on PPG. He averages over a point a shot, but who do you want him taking shots from in the starting lineup? Roberson isn't going to get 8 shots a night to be able to average 10 PPG. If everyone is healthy Waiters won't be getting 10 PPG either, because he's not going to be getting the 11 shots a night he'd need to get there. I think Roberson will start with Russ and Morrow getting the rest of the SG minutes. I can see Russ getting half his minutes as the SG this year playing off the ball and creating havoc like Wade has done for his whole career. Wade and Russ are very similar players and Russ is deadly when he's playing off the ball coming off screens, etc.

[slick_watts]

re: andre roberson

[TBOKED]

I would be all for that plan you laid out with waiters losing minutes to three others. Only issue would be if you aren't going to play Waiters you might as well get rid of him now and reduce tax bill. His value will only go down between now and trade deadline if he doesn't play. See lamb and PJ. I doubt they do this because they spent a 1st on him, isn't that correct?

[Kizz Fastfists]

I see Waiters as having even more negative value than PJ3. Is it worth a future 1st to get rid of him when you already gave a 1st to get him? Even if you can get a team to take Novak as well. Novak, Waiters and a 1st for a conditional 2nd? Yes, that helps the tax bill, but that can hurt in the future. The Thunder also already owe out two future 1st round picks so it would be a 3rd owed first so their 2020 first.

[Marcus50]

Might have to stretch Novak. Surely he has less value than Jones. I

I think they'd just take the hit for a year instead of digging into future cap space, he's at least Kanter's babysitter/friend/vet guy. I think the roster's set other than if he's moved.

I don't think Novak will be there at the start of the season. Heustis will be signed to make up the numbers and occupy PJ/Lambs position at the end of the bench. Presti will do the housekeeping issues and exercise team options on Roberson and Adams for 4th year but will do that later in the year. Otherwise roster pretty much set for season

[Marcus50]

Dion 's best 2 man numbers were playing with Kanter strangely. Seemed to help Kanter as well. Don't understand why but there you have it

[bondom34]

Might have to stretch Novak. Surely he has less value than Jones. I

I think they'd just take the hit for a year instead of digging into future cap space, he's at least Kanter's babysitter/friend/vet guy. I think the roster's set other than if he's moved.

I don't think Novak will be there at the start of the season. Heustis will be signed to make up the numbers and occupy PJ/Lambs position at the end of the bench. Presti will do the housekeeping issues and exercise team options on Roberson and Adams for 4th year but will do that later in the year. Otherwise roster pretty much set for season

They don't really have means to trade him, that's the problem. And the stretch seems too short sighted right now to me when they'd be paying his cap hit an extra year and it could hurt in the future.

[CancerAssassin]

Dion 's best 2 man numbers were playing with Kanter strangely. Seemed to help Kanter as well. Don't understand why but there you have it

One thing Dion can do very well is wreak havoc, break down a defense and get into the lane. If he made good basketball decisions or a high clip of his 'low-percentage shots' he could be an all-star. All his misses DO 'create' offensive rebound and putback opportunities for Kanter. If there was a stat for "Brick-assists" Dion could be a league leader.

[Balkman32]

Might have to stretch Novak. Surely he has less value than Jones. I

He Sticks. They might use him @ the deadline to acquire an additional piece. But, I bet they try to get under the $10 million part of the Lux tax.