The 2016 Offseason Thread

[Mulhollanddrive]

That'd be a crazy scenario, but they're going to be back in the exact same spot next off-season with Westbrook.

I like OKC this season though and think they'll win 50+ if healthy, Oladipo and Kanter look to be underrated as starting replacements.

Oladipo - 19 / 5 / 3, 111 / 107 O and D Rating post All-Star in 2016.
Kanter - 18 / 11, 122 / 106 O and D Rating when traded to OKC with Durant out in 2015.

Wonder if Oladipo for Knight was ever a possibility.

[NavLDO]

Yeah, a lot of non-shooters on this team already.
I guess they will run the Adams-Kanter lineup all the time to clean up all those misses.
Either way, it's going to be so ugly. Durant screwed them BIG time

Durant seemed passive and uninterested at times this past season and I have to wonder if the Ewing theory might come into play as the whole team steps up. It will be interesting to see how Oladipo and Sabonis play. They will be good defensively though Oladipo and Roberson starting along with Adams. Ilyasova will have to bring the shooting, but Dipo has been getting better each year from 3 though and shot 34.8% which isn't great, but better than say, Brandon Knight this past year. Roberson has gotten better each year too from distance but still needs quite a bit of improvement.

Actually I don't think Westbrook is committed for the long run, this basically a one year extension and gives OKC more time try to win him over with Presti's vision/gain leverage in a trade before he qualifies for the super max in the Summer of 2018 after hitting the 10 year max. If he reups he would get 5 years 204 million, absurd

Exactly. This was one of those "Win-Win" situations that Sean Covey (7 Habits guy) liked to talk about. It is exactly what you said, and both sides benefitted. Westbrook increased his salary this year by like $8M (??), and in order to make that happen for himself, he basically agreed to play in OKC for I more year. OKC has one more year to either build Adams/Oladipo into a star player(s), or bring another star in. I think it was a great move for both sides, and the casual OKC fan will be excited thinking that Westbrook is loyal to the team by signing for two extra years.

[NavLDO]

Westbrook signs an extension with OKC. Apparently they want to sign Griffin next offseason. I'm not sure how that team would succeed in the West.

It may not be a serious contender (with GSW who is?) But it be one hell of a fun team to watch, ironically Durant would be the ideal third piece.

Anyone feel that Westbrook signing a new deal means he is more likely to be moved?. Before Westbrook signed an extension, teams would be stupid to give up anything of real value, however, now teams like the lakers could actual justify giving up significant assets for 3 years of an Allstar in his prime.

Or is it career suicide for Presti to trade him in the first year of signing an extension?

That's an interesting take on Westbrook. By him signing that deal, he definitely does become a much more valuable trade piece. He'd be a perfect fit in LA if the return is Russell and Randle.

Money-wise, I think it would work (In Feb is the earliest it could happen)...

PG Russell Westbrook
PF Domantas Sabonis
2017 Lotto Protected 1st

for

PG D'Angelo Russell
SF Luol Deng
PF Julius Randle

Gives OKC a good team with depth:

Russell/Payne
Oladipo/(Roberson)/Abrines
Deng/Singler/(Roberson)
Randle/Ilyasova/(McGary)
Adams/Kanter/(McGary)

Gives LAL:

Westbrook
Clarkson (or Williams)
N. Young
Sabonis or Lance
Mozgov

Which might still be a poor team overall, but why not try to get that one more top 3 pick this next draft? Or, since now the LAL have a no-kidding superstar, they should be able to bring in some nice FAs. OKC's 2017 1st, Lotto protected added as well to ensure they at least get one 1st Rd pick, and OKC would be in a good position to not need that pick.

OKC on the other hand would have a very nice, deep team and again, wouldn't really need the pick next year.

[bwgood77]

Westbrook signs an extension with OKC. Apparently they want to sign Griffin next offseason. I'm not sure how that team would succeed in the West.

It may not be a serious contender (with GSW who is?) But it be one hell of a fun team to watch, ironically Durant would be the ideal third piece.

Anyone feel that Westbrook signing a new deal means he is more likely to be moved?. Before Westbrook signed an extension, teams would be stupid to give up anything of real value, however, now teams like the lakers could actual justify giving up significant assets for 3 years of an Allstar in his prime.

Or is it career suicide for Presti to trade him in the first year of signing an extension?

That's an interesting take on Westbrook. By him signing that deal, he definitely does become a much more valuable trade piece. He'd be a perfect fit in LA if the return is Russell and Randle.

Money-wise, I think it would work (In Feb is the earliest it could happen)...

PG Russell Westbrook
PF Domantas Sabonis
2017 Lotto Protected 1st

for

PG D'Angelo Russell
SF Luol Deng
PF Julius Randle

Gives OKC a good team with depth:

Russell/Payne
Oladipo/(Roberson)/Abrines
Deng/Singler/(Roberson)
Randle/Ilyasova/(McGary)
Adams/Kanter/(McGary)

Gives LAL:

Westbrook
Clarkson (or Williams)
N. Young
Sabonis or Lance
Mozgov

Which might still be a poor team overall, but why not try to get that one more top 3 pick this next draft? Or, since now the LAL have a no-kidding superstar, they should be able to bring in some nice FAs. OKC's 2017 1st, Lotto protected added as well to ensure they at least get one 1st Rd pick, and OKC would be in a good position to not need that pick.

OKC on the other hand would have a very nice, deep team and again, wouldn't really need the pick next year.

#1, that's an incredibly lopsided trade. I can't really even fathom how you can think that is remotely fair. Even if the pick was going the other way it would be lopsided.

If you've read much on the OKC front, Westbrook has pretty much said he wants to be there. As you mentioned the extension was a (Win/Win) as Stephen (not Sean) Covey would have phrased it, as it allows Westbrook to get a raise and one more year but most importantly, your absolute max goes up (from 30% to 35% of the cap) with 10 years in the league, so that is likely the primary reason for the length, but also makes sense if for whatever reason they can't fetch another max guy next summer and the pieces don't fit together as well and they want to part ways sooner.

I think there is zero chance OKC trades Westbrook this year though. He will see if he can be the unquestioned leader, avg his triple double and be a competitive playoff team, and then see what they can add next summer.

If by any chance they did trade him this year, they'd get a far bigger haul than that.

[NTB]

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/which-nba-players-are-poised-to-break-out/?platform=hootsuite

Oliver Maroney: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker’s breakout may have already started if we count his showing at the Las Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 26 points, 6.5 assists and five rebounds. Booker is clearly feeling very confident and this could be an indication of what’s to come in his sophomore season.

Mid-way through last season, Booker moved from the bench to the starting lineup on the Suns and he performed extremely well. Everyone around the Suns organization has positive things to say about Booker, who possesses incredible physical tools as well as a great work ethic.

“[He doesn’t seem] like a 19-year-old,” said Irving Roland, one of his player development coaches from last season. “I see him being an All-Star in the next few years. Definitely going to be one of the best two-guards in this league for a while.”

As a rookie, Booker averaged 13.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists and he’ll be looking to improve those numbers this season. With his maturity, skill set and desire to be great, Booker seems to have star potential.

[NTB]

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-saturday-five-teams-on-the-rise/?platform=hootsuite

5. Phoenix Suns

For the last few seasons, the Suns have been stuck between rebuilding and trying to compete for the playoffs. However, things have finally shifted toward more of a rebuild with the team adding some nice pieces in the draft, staying away from overspending in free agency and bringing in some familiar faces to mentor the team’s younger players. While the Suns may not be much better next season and certainly could miss the postseason, they make this list since they have finally chosen a path toward competing at a high level and are no longer caught between two competing paths.

The Suns drafted Dragan Bender (No. 4), Marquese Chriss (No. 8) and Tyler Ulis (No. 34) and then signed Jared Dudley and Leandro Barbosa in free agency. In Bender and Chriss, the Suns are getting two long and skilled forwards who are raw, but could be big-time contributors in the future. Bender, in particular, may have the tools to be a special talent in the NBA considering the size and skill he already has at the age of 19. Ulis is a nice addition in the second round, as he can control the floor, shoot the ball effectively and defend particularly well for a player standing 5’9. He was a standout performer at the Las Vegas Summer League and could eventually be viewed as a steal if he plays to his full potential.

The Suns will also benefit from bringing back Dudley and Barbosa, who both spent some of their best years in Phoenix. Dudley, in particular, could be a valuable addition at power forward with his ability to shoot the long ball. Dudley and Babosa will be excellent locker room presences as well, which is important since it’s always good to put strong leader and consummate professionals around a young core as they develop.

The biggest bright spot for the Suns at this point is second-year guard Devin Booker. Booker showed tremendous skill and poise in his rookie season and proved in the Las Vegas Summer League that he has the intensity and confidence to push his game to another level this upcoming season.

The Suns still have some issues to sort out with their roster and they may have a tough upcoming season, but their collection of young talent is quite impressive and could make them a very intriguing team down the road.

[NTB]

Watch on YouTube

Mentions Booker.

[NavLDO]

It may not be a serious contender (with GSW who is?) But it be one hell of a fun team to watch, ironically Durant would be the ideal third piece.

Anyone feel that Westbrook signing a new deal means he is more likely to be moved?. Before Westbrook signed an extension, teams would be stupid to give up anything of real value, however, now teams like the lakers could actual justify giving up significant assets for 3 years of an Allstar in his prime.

Or is it career suicide for Presti to trade him in the first year of signing an extension?

That's an interesting take on Westbrook. By him signing that deal, he definitely does become a much more valuable trade piece. He'd be a perfect fit in LA if the return is Russell and Randle.

Money-wise, I think it would work (In Feb is the earliest it could happen)...

PG Russell Westbrook
PF Domantas Sabonis
2017 Lotto Protected 1st

for

PG D'Angelo Russell
SF Luol Deng
PF Julius Randle

Gives OKC a good team with depth:

Russell/Payne
Oladipo/(Roberson)/Abrines
Deng/Singler/(Roberson)
Randle/Ilyasova/(McGary)
Adams/Kanter/(McGary)

Gives LAL:

Westbrook
Clarkson (or Williams)
N. Young
Sabonis or Lance
Mozgov

Which might still be a poor team overall, but why not try to get that one more top 3 pick this next draft? Or, since now the LAL have a no-kidding superstar, they should be able to bring in some nice FAs. OKC's 2017 1st, Lotto protected added as well to ensure they at least get one 1st Rd pick, and OKC would be in a good position to not need that pick.

OKC on the other hand would have a very nice, deep team and again, wouldn't really need the pick next year.

#1, that's an incredibly lopsided trade. I can't really even fathom how you can think that is remotely fair. Even if the pick was going the other way it would be lopsided.

If you've read much on the OKC front, Westbrook has pretty much said he wants to be there. As you mentioned the extension was a (Win/Win) as Stephen (not Sean) Covey would have phrased it, as it allows Westbrook to get a raise and one more year but most importantly, your absolute max goes up (from 30% to 35% of the cap) with 10 years in the league, so that is likely the primary reason for the length, but also makes sense if for whatever reason they can't fetch another max guy next summer and the pieces don't fit together as well and they want to part ways sooner.

I think there is zero chance OKC trades Westbrook this year though. He will see if he can be the unquestioned leader, avg his triple double and be a competitive playoff team, and then see what they can add next summer.

If by any chance they did trade him this year, they'd get a far bigger haul than that.

I agree, to a point, but by mid-season, we may see a different Westbrook without Durant, and a more developed Russell and Randle, and Deng I a very good payer in his own right, so I guess while right now it looks lopsided, it might not look as lopsided in early-Feb...but yes, it's more likely Westbrook is still worth more than that pkg.

And yes, Stephen Covey...not sure where "Sean" came from??? Old age, I guess...

[NTB]

Read on Twitter

[lilfishi22]

That highlight made me think about two things:

1. Thank God the MoBros are no longer with the team
2. That KP poster was nasty

[bwgood77]

I agree, to a point, but by mid-season, we may see a different Westbrook without Durant, and a more developed Russell and Randle, and Deng I a very good payer in his own right, so I guess while right now it looks lopsided, it might not look as lopsided in early-Feb...but yes, it's more likely Westbrook is still worth more than that pkg.

And yes, Stephen Covey...not sure where "Sean" came from??? Old age, I guess...

If they traded Westbrook it would be exclusively for young players and picks. Zero chance they take on a guy like Deng, and Randle is not the type of player you want in today's nba.

And they won't trade him unless he wants to be traded, and I don't think he will be. I don't know if you read the Woj article I posted, but he is MUCH closer to his teammates than Durant was, and he worked out all summer with Oladipo. I think Illyasova will thrive with a guy like Westbrook who commands much more attention than anyone he has played with. I think Westbrook will be the MVP this year if they can get a top 5 seed or so.

[Frank Lee]

We will rue the day we did not get Illyasova

[Walt_Uoob]

http://valleyofthesuns.com/2016/08/02/trading-tyson-chandler-potential-phoenix-suns-trade-partners/

Any thoughts on that article? They mention Houston as a good destination for Chandler and I could see him fitting pretty well in a D'Antoni system. He can still run the floor and wouldn't demand the ball like Howard did. Would anyone do Chandler for Montrezl Harrell and Corey Booker's contract? http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hqygdmk

[Damkac]

Read on Twitter

Archie looks in his highlights like a much better player than he really is.

[bwgood77]

http://valleyofthesuns.com/2016/08/02/trading-tyson-chandler-potential-phoenix-suns-trade-partners/

Any thoughts on that article? They mention Houston as a good destination for Chandler and I could see him fitting pretty well in a D'Antoni system. He can still run the floor and wouldn't demand the ball like Howard did. Would anyone do Chandler for Montrezl Harrell and Corey Booker's contract? http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hqygdmk

Corey Brewer? I'd love to pry Dekker off them. He could be a nice small ball four to play a bit until the other 4s are ready, or some 3 if/when Tucker is dealt. But they probably want him given their 3 or drive philosophy.

[Walt_Uoob]

http://valleyofthesuns.com/2016/08/02/trading-tyson-chandler-potential-phoenix-suns-trade-partners/

Any thoughts on that article? They mention Houston as a good destination for Chandler and I could see him fitting pretty well in a D'Antoni system. He can still run the floor and wouldn't demand the ball like Howard did. Would anyone do Chandler for Montrezl Harrell and Corey Booker's contract? http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hqygdmk

Corey Brewer? I'd love to pry Dekker off them. He could be a nice small ball four to play a bit until the other 4s are ready, or some 3 if/when Tucker is dealt. But they probably want him given their 3 or drive philosophy.

Yeah, Corey Brewer's just included for salary matching purposes because I believe they're over the cap and can't just absorb Chandler's salary. Was thinking that our agreeing to take his contract would be a sweetener that could improve our chances of landing one of their promising youngsters (Harrell or Dekker would be nice). Maybe even a Motiejunas sign-and-trade could work.

[jcsunsfan]

It may not be a serious contender (with GSW who is?) But it be one hell of a fun team to watch, ironically Durant would be the ideal third piece.

Anyone feel that Westbrook signing a new deal means he is more likely to be moved?. Before Westbrook signed an extension, teams would be stupid to give up anything of real value, however, now teams like the lakers could actual justify giving up significant assets for 3 years of an Allstar in his prime.

Or is it career suicide for Presti to trade him in the first year of signing an extension?

That's an interesting take on Westbrook. By him signing that deal, he definitely does become a much more valuable trade piece. He'd be a perfect fit in LA if the return is Russell and Randle.

Money-wise, I think it would work (In Feb is the earliest it could happen)...

PG Russell Westbrook
PF Domantas Sabonis
2017 Lotto Protected 1st

for

PG D'Angelo Russell
SF Luol Deng
PF Julius Randle

Gives OKC a good team with depth:

Russell/Payne
Oladipo/(Roberson)/Abrines
Deng/Singler/(Roberson)
Randle/Ilyasova/(McGary)
Adams/Kanter/(McGary)

Gives LAL:

Westbrook
Clarkson (or Williams)
N. Young
Sabonis or Lance
Mozgov

Which might still be a poor team overall, but why not try to get that one more top 3 pick this next draft? Or, since now the LAL have a no-kidding superstar, they should be able to bring in some nice FAs. OKC's 2017 1st, Lotto protected added as well to ensure they at least get one 1st Rd pick, and OKC would be in a good position to not need that pick.

OKC on the other hand would have a very nice, deep team and again, wouldn't really need the pick next year.

#1, that's an incredibly lopsided trade. I can't really even fathom how you can think that is remotely fair. Even if the pick was going the other way it would be lopsided.

If you've read much on the OKC front, Westbrook has pretty much said he wants to be there. As you mentioned the extension was a (Win/Win) as Stephen (not Sean) Covey would have phrased it, as it allows Westbrook to get a raise and one more year but most importantly, your absolute max goes up (from 30% to 35% of the cap) with 10 years in the league, so that is likely the primary reason for the length, but also makes sense if for whatever reason they can't fetch another max guy next summer and the pieces don't fit together as well and they want to part ways sooner.

I think there is zero chance OKC trades Westbrook this year though. He will see if he can be the unquestioned leader, avg his triple double and be a competitive playoff team, and then see what they can add next summer.

If by any chance they did trade him this year, they'd get a far bigger haul than that.

Presti has options now though. If things go horribly south in OKC this year--and with that many new and young players anything can happen--and Westbrook decides he wants out, he can be moved now easily and for more than he would have brought in as an expiring. This is definitely a win-win.

[bwgood77]

Presti has options now though. If things go horribly south in OKC this year--and with that many new and young players anything can happen--and Westbrook decides he wants out, he can be moved now easily and for more than he would have brought in as an expiring. This is definitely a win-win.

Oh yeah, no doubt they are in a much better situation if they were to trade him this year. He (and/or his reps) have also stated they will always lay all the cards on the table with OKC and be open about their feelings, which is extremely important if true.

[NTB]

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/8/8/12397100/phoenix-suns-coach-watson-discusses-the-opportunities-facing-rookies-chriss-and-bender

“You can put all the right people on the bus that you want, but if you don’t put them in the right seat, in the right roles, it’s not going to work,” Watson said.

“I’m on the court a lot as far as a head coach because I really do believe the player development coaching is very important,” Watson said. “Because if you can really get them to execute a certain skill or a style of play, it makes it easy to create plays moving forward.”

“We have hybrids in Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender who are unique enough they can play on the perimeter, run a pick and roll, shoot a three, pass the ball, hit a jump shot, finish at the rim,” he said. “You don’t really see that and with those guys being so young I have no right to take that ability away. They have the capability and the tools.

“Which means the offense, the development, and throughout the season, is gonna have to be very fluid in their growth. Because we don’t know how quick either one of them are going to grow into more playing time.”

“It’s not just about ‘how can Eric Bledsoe be more efficient’,” he says. “It’s about what really flows for our team. What’s the mindset to create. What’s the program to create, and buying in to the team. So it’s a constant thing I’m thinking about all the time. I have mentors in sport who are very present in my life as far as preparing for the season. And then surrounding myself with great teachers, I think that’s the first thing you can do is hire the right people.”

“For me its reading, going to people who have been there and done that, and then at the same time, letting myself create throughout the day and throughout the night, whenever it hits me,” he said of how he approached the summer.

“Every day, I go to the arena,” he said, “And we have practice or we have a workout or whatever it may be, I always keep my mind open to something new.”

“With these young guys, we cannot compare them to Devin,” Watson said. “It’s not fair. He’s just a unique talent at that age. But they have the tools, the potential and the hunger. Which is why we love we ended up in the draft.”

He mentioned Tyler Ulis being ready for playing time as well.

“As a former player, just two seasons ago,” Watson says of the veterans on the team, “You always want the opportunity to compete for your position, because you work hard all summer. Guys get better over the summer tremendously and we don’t want to take that ambition away.”

“We don’t want a season when we have a lot of wins, where we make the playoffs or barely miss the playoffs. We don’t want that season,” he said, using a description that sounded a lot like our recollection of 2013-14.

“We want a season where we have productive wins, productive growth and a productive plan that elevates us every season into something special.”

[WeekapaugGroove]

^^ love that last line of your post. Hope its not just lip service. I will say the fact were hearing things like this do point to them actually being serious about doing a true rebuild.