2017 OKC Thunder Trade Discussion

[bondom34]

Yes every team struggles but maybe Houstons improvement wasn't quite as significant as we thought. Time will tell. Matthews would help, but I hate that he's 30 years old. Maybe you're right and Matthews makes the difference and allows Adams to becomes more dominant. I have my doubts. Maybe I'm too eager to trade the wrong guy. I do think a lot of people on these forums think trading Payne, Roberson and Kanter will make us significantly better. I just don't see it. If we keep Russ I just don't want to be content to be a treadmill team. Maybe there's no way around that but I sure as heck hope we try to find a way. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

If you trade your really good young players for other players who aren't any better you're not improving. People are way underrating what Adams does to this team, not only on court but off. From everything I've seen he's got essentially Perk's old job in the locker room and he actually plays well enough to earn his contract. Move off Robes/Kanter/Cam. Maybe Dipo if there's a really good offer but I think he's a guy who if you move to the bench would thrive.

I'd move Kanter for a starting wing, move Vic to the bench. Maybe someone ends up wanting to join up in free agency who knows. But right now nothing crazy mid season and see what the offseason brings.

As for teams struggling, so have the Cavs. But they're still good too.

Nobody can join in free agency unless you move vic or Steven. I agree I'd prefer it be vic, but if you can get good value for Steven he should be available as well.

I don't think there's much of a way to get good value. He's young, impactful, improving, and an underrated aspect is remarkably mature and somewhat of a leader. It IMO would hurt in the locker room as much as anywhere.

Just an example, but the last GSW game, Zaza nailed Russ. Adams was out. You think if he was there that would have flown? I don't, but if you move him it would. He's great at communicating with others too. I think they're nearly as screwed w/o him as Russ.

[ThunderBolt]

Even with the new CBA, can we really afford to pay a 6th man $21,000,000 a year?

[bondom34]

Even with the new CBA, can we really afford to pay a 6th man $21,000,000 a year?

If the money for the starters is reasonable sure. Just because you don't start doesn't mean you don't play 30 mpg.

[ThunderBolt]

Even with the new CBA, can we really afford to pay a 6th man $21,000,000 a year?

If the money for the starters is reasonable sure. Just because you don't start doesn't mean you don't play 30 mpg.

If you produce, I agree. I won't argue with you about keeping Adams. I'm just trying to be more open minded than anything. Vic has been a disappointment to me. I guess that's my fault for having expectations too high. He's still young but has been in the league going on four years. I think for sure if we keep Adams, we need to move both Vic and Kanter. Again, if you're keeping Russ, Adams and Vic, this roster really want change that much. That means we stay fairly close to what we are now. That's exactly what I don't want.

[bondom34]

Even with the new CBA, can we really afford to pay a 6th man $21,000,000 a year?

If the money for the starters is reasonable sure. Just because you don't start doesn't mean you don't play 30 mpg.

If you produce, I agree. I won't argue with you about keeping Adams. I'm just trying to be more open minded than anything. Vic has been a disappointment to me. I guess that's my fault for having expectations too high. He's still young but has been in the league going on four years. I think for sure if we keep Adams, we need to move both Vic and Kanter. Again, if you're keeping Russ, Adams and Vic, this roster really want change that much. That means we stay fairly close to what we are now. That's exactly what I don't want.

I haven't checked the math but w/ a $108 mil cap in 2 years I don't know how much is around after those 3. I agree Kanter's gone for sure, I'm torn on Vic. Adams and Russ are the 2 I build around.

I still think Adams keeps making leaps in improvement.

[ThunderBolt]

If the money for the starters is reasonable sure. Just because you don't start doesn't mean you don't play 30 mpg.

If you produce, I agree. I won't argue with you about keeping Adams. I'm just trying to be more open minded than anything. Vic has been a disappointment to me. I guess that's my fault for having expectations too high. He's still young but has been in the league going on four years. I think for sure if we keep Adams, we need to move both Vic and Kanter. Again, if you're keeping Russ, Adams and Vic, this roster really want change that much. That means we stay fairly close to what we are now. That's exactly what I don't want.

I haven't checked the math but w/ a $108 mil cap in 2 years I don't know how much is around after those 3. I agree Kanter's gone for sure, I'm torn on Vic. Adams and Russ are the 2 I build around.

I still think Adams keeps making leaps in improvement.

Adams has demonstrated more of an upward trajectory. Points and rebounds are both up this year, although he's averaging 5 more minutes per game. I think rebounds would be significantly higher if he weren't blocking out for Russ. When I look at Vic's numbers across the board, they are virtually unchanged. His ppg averages have been 13.8, 17.9, 16.0 and 15.9. Technically he's having his worst scoring year since his rookie year, although it's minimal. His fg/3p% are both record highs, but only 1% and 2% better than last year. Free throw % is down 12% from last year. Blocks, TO's, steals and assists are all down from last year but it's minimal. Basically Vic is the same guy he's always been and hasn't really improved much since his second year in the league. For that reason I say he needs to be moved.

[bondom34]

If you produce, I agree. I won't argue with you about keeping Adams. I'm just trying to be more open minded than anything. Vic has been a disappointment to me. I guess that's my fault for having expectations too high. He's still young but has been in the league going on four years. I think for sure if we keep Adams, we need to move both Vic and Kanter. Again, if you're keeping Russ, Adams and Vic, this roster really want change that much. That means we stay fairly close to what we are now. That's exactly what I don't want.

I haven't checked the math but w/ a $108 mil cap in 2 years I don't know how much is around after those 3. I agree Kanter's gone for sure, I'm torn on Vic. Adams and Russ are the 2 I build around.

I still think Adams keeps making leaps in improvement.

Adams has demonstrated more of an upward trajectory. Points and rebounds are both up this year, although he's averaging 5 more minutes per game. I think rebounds would be significantly higher if he weren't blocking out for Russ. When I look at Vic's numbers across the board, they are virtually unchanged. His ppg averages have been 13.8, 17.9, 16.0 and 15.9. Technically he's having his worst scoring year since his rookie year, although it's minimal. His fg/3p% are both record highs, but only 1% and 2% better than last year. Free throw % is down 12% from last year. Blocks, TO's, steals and assists are all down from last year but it's minimal. Basically Vic is the same guy he's always been and hasn't really improved much since his second year in the league. For that reason I say he needs to be moved.

That's totally fair. I think right now hes playing a role they didn't envision at first and if they can get him to that role it would be better than moving on. I've liked him honestly, and he's been far and away the best 2nd guard OKC has had in years


On another note, go to the "OKC fans are impatient thread". Got the best reply ever .

[Kizz Fastfists]

You guys know WCS isn't very good right? Like can't get minutes on a bad team not good.

I had to pull up the numbers. I thought he was much better on defense than his defensive RPM says. I retract my previous support of the idea.

[ThunderBolt]

You guys know WCS isn't very good right? Like can't get minutes on a bad team not good.

I had to pull up the numbers. I thought he was much better on defense than his defensive RPM says. I retract my previous support of the idea.

He did have 14/4 in 18 minutes last night. He's been improving as of late. Again, it's not Adams for WCS. It's Adams for Mccolum. It's not going to happen regardless. Portland wouldn't do it and Payne is garbage. We aren't getting anything for him.

[Andre Roberstan]

If you make a trade that moves Dipo to the bench, or you can stagger minutes, or you sign a guy like Lance to play bench SF, Cory Joseph would be a nice pickup.

[ThunderBolt]

If you make a trade that moves Dipo to the bench, or you can stagger minutes, or you sign a guy like Lance to play bench SF, Cory Joseph would be a nice pickup.

Lance Stephenson?


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[Andre Roberstan]

If you make a trade that moves Dipo to the bench, or you can stagger minutes, or you sign a guy like Lance to play bench SF, Cory Joseph would be a nice pickup.

Lance Stephenson?


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

Pellies would have had to cut guaranteed money to keep him, from what I remember, and they weren't willing to. He was solid there (the last place he played, got cut...before season, I think?). I still think he's got a role as ballhandling/slashing help on someone's bench.

[Pillendreher]

If you make a trade that moves Dipo to the bench, or you can stagger minutes, or you sign a guy like Lance to play bench SF, Cory Joseph would be a nice pickup.

Is Casey really that down on him? Wasn't he one of their best guys for the past 1.5 seasons?

[Andre Roberstan]

If you make a trade that moves Dipo to the bench, or you can stagger minutes, or you sign a guy like Lance to play bench SF, Cory Joseph would be a nice pickup.

Is Casey really that down on him? Wasn't he one of their best guys for the past 1.5 seasons?

Has been. Hasn't been too good on either end this year.

[Pillendreher]

If you make a trade that moves Dipo to the bench, or you can stagger minutes, or you sign a guy like Lance to play bench SF, Cory Joseph would be a nice pickup.

Is Casey really that down on him? Wasn't he one of their best guys for the past 1.5 seasons?

Has been. Hasn't been too good on either end this year.

He had a 33 point game a couple of games back. But yeah, hasn't done too well for me in fantasy.

[ThunderBolt]

People need to understand if we want to build around Russ, major changes need to happen. Guys like Adams, Sabonis , Abrines and oladipo need to go. Other guys like Payne and singler have no value. The more I watch this team the more I think it might be impossible to get much better.

[Pillendreher]

People need to understand if we want to build around Russ, major changes need to happen. Guys like Adams, Sabonis , Abrines and oladipo need to go. Other guys like Payne and singler have no value. The more I watch this team the more I think it might be impossible to get much better.

First things first: Get shooters and have Billy understand, that they need to play a permanent role on this team. It's insane how we act like shooting is just whatever.

[Osirus89]

People need to understand if we want to build around Russ, major changes need to happen. Guys like Adams, Sabonis , Abrines and oladipo need to go. Other guys like Payne and singler have no value. The more I watch this team the more I think it might be impossible to get much better.

Abrines is fine. Morrow will be a free agent next year. You can't lose both sharpshooters. Sabonis might need to play with the bench. Adams is fine. Oladipo "can" be traded, but only if the return is good. Payne is bad and so is singler. You can get better by not having them play at all and bringing in a cheap veteran point guard. Jameer Nelson would look like a god on this team with paynes recent play. Kanter should be shown the door, but can't because of his own stupidity.

I will say this.... I think things are going to get very interesting soon in the NBA. Lebron and Chris Paul seem to be going full sail to get Melo. Jimmy butler may be traded as well. There will be opportunities to be a third or fourth team in a deal very soon in all likelihood. The front office just needs to keep their ears open and wait for an opening. I think one will present itself very soon. If one does arrive, I think very few players should be exempt from consideration. Russ , Adams, maybe Victor, maybe Domantas, and that's about it.

[ThunderBolt]

People need to understand if we want to build around Russ, major changes need to happen. Guys like Adams, Sabonis , Abrines and oladipo need to go. Other guys like Payne and singler have no value. The more I watch this team the more I think it might be impossible to get much better.

Abrines is fine. Morrow will be a free agent next year. You can't lose both sharpshooters. Sabonis might need to play with the bench. Adams is fine. Oladipo "can" be traded, but only if the return is good. Payne is bad and so is singler. You can get better by not having them play at all and bringing in a cheap veteran point guard. Jameer Nelson would look like a god on this team with paynes recent play. Kanter should be shown the door, but can't because of his own stupidity.

I will say this.... I think things are going to get very interesting soon in the NBA. Lebron and Chris Paul seem to be going full sail to get Melo. Jimmy butler may be traded as well. There will be opportunities to be a third or fourth team in a deal very soon in all likelihood. The front office just needs to keep their ears open and wait for an opening. I think one will present itself very soon. If one does arrive, I think very few players should be exempt from consideration. Russ , Adams, maybe Victor, maybe Domantas, and that's about it.

This team is much more than a backup pg away. Everyone wants the get better but posts like this prove why it won't happen. Add someone and keep everyone we like. That ain't happening. I'll eat crow if I'm wrong. I love Sabonis but even he should not be exempt. Russ is in the back half of his prime now. Maybe Oladipo exempt?? The guy is trash. As was said in the game thread tonight, if he had 100 open layups, he would miss 150. Read the posts by Kizz. Everyone wants to get better,( me included) but options are limited. You want Wilson Chandler? How do you plan on getting him? Cameron Payne? Try again. They'll want Sabonis. It sucks but it's the truth. We keep what we have or we do a complete rebuild with Russ that may or may not make us better. Nelson, Chandler, Crawford and other guys might allow us to get swept by San Antonio rather than Golden State.

[spearsy23]

Devin Harris or jj stat. Hell, take on Evan turner's contract and play him at point for all I care.