2017 OKC Thunder Trade Discussion

[ThunderBolt]

So the whole league is stuck? Because look around. This is called being a normal team. People aren't used to it, but it is.

I don't think we're stuck. I think we need to take risks to get better.

Welp, then I agree lol. I don't think trading Russ is one of those. Personally I feel the same for Steven, some don't there. Everyone else to me is available.

I dont know how we could come close to getting another star without trading Adams. I thought McCollum might be a possibility since Portland needed a rim protector but they appear to have found someone. What other team has an almost-star like Mccolum that we could get? I believe you mentioned Lemarcus Aldridge. Maybe. Millsap? He's an UFA next year and 32. Griffin in free agency? He loves LA. Do we try to bring in a headcase like Cousins? Don't see Presti doing that even if it was a possibility. Indiana is in the same boat as us, so they don't want to get rid of George. They probably have a few better pieces around him, but he isn't as good as Russ. New Orleans is in the same situation as us butt worse off. Detroit might be looking to rebuild but they don't really have a great scoring option. I think Minnesota might have been willing to move Lavine or Wiggins before Lavines injury. Same with Jabari Parker/Middleton situation. I would love to have Gordon Hayward, but how could we get him?

[Kizz Fastfists]

I dont know how we could come close to getting another star without trading Adams.

OKC doesn't get close even with trading Adams. OKC has two options. Option one is accept being a fringe playoff team again next year then go into a long and painful rebuild when Russ leaves. Option two is trade Russ and Dipo now and speed up the rebuild significantly. There is no option where OKC becomes a potential contender. Even if Draymond attacks a fan and gets a 2 year ban OKC still isn't as good as GS and there is still Cleveland, Boston, SA, LAC, etc way ahead of where OKC is.

OKC can't add anything that helps with cap space. OKC can't add anything more than a role player through the draft without getting VERY lucky. OKC is stuck in the 6-8 spot in the West. I've played every scenario as many ways as I can and there is nothing OKC can do to get out of being a middle of the road NBA team. In a conference of 15 teams being 7th is terrible! What's even worse about that in the NBA is that puts you in the playoffs and there are delusional people who think that somehow means good. If this were a betters sport, like the NFL or MLB, where mediocre teams don't make the playoffs then people would understand where OKC actually is because they wouldn't make the playoffs. Does being a 16 seed in the NCAA tourney mean you are a good basketball team? Because that is where OKC is right now. Good job, you are a mediocre team who gets to be sacrificed to a good team in the name of money!

[Osirus89]

I don't think we're stuck. I think we need to take risks to get better.

Welp, then I agree lol. I don't think trading Russ is one of those. Personally I feel the same for Steven, some don't there. Everyone else to me is available.

I dont know how we could come close to getting another star without trading Adams. I thought McCollum might be a possibility since Portland needed a rim protector but they appear to have found someone. What other team has an almost-star like Mccolum that we could get? I believe you mentioned Lemarcus Aldridge. Maybe. Millsap? He's an UFA next year and 32. Griffin in free agency? He loves LA. Do we try to bring in a headcase like Cousins? Don't see Presti doing that even if it was a possibility. Indiana is in the same boat as us, so they don't want to get rid of George. They probably have a few better pieces around him, but he isn't as good as Russ. New Orleans is in the same situation as us butt worse off. Detroit might be looking to rebuild but they don't really have a great scoring option. I think Minnesota might have been willing to move Lavine or Wiggins before Lavines injury. Same with Jabari Parker/Middleton situation. I would love to have Gordon Hayward, but how could we get him?

IF Gordon Hayward was willing to come here.. you would have to move Kanter AND Oladipo. I did the math and if you move both of them without taking salary back, next years salaries is at around 70 million. So that would leave about 34 million in space. Hayward is probably going to qualify for the Designated Player rule this year, so he will make the most money in utah. He might leave there for a better situation, but he would really have to be sold on the thunder since a whole bunch of teams will want to pursue him. The best bet would be to try to do something during the draft. I still think moving Victor in the draft is the best possible way to improve if moving Russ is off the table (which I can't stress enough should not be on the table). Other than that, Presti has to do moves that bring in help that will fill holes, but are not star level players. The Wilson Chandlers of the NBA world. Also look for young players in bad situations. Hezonja? If a big free agent came to OKC, they would be the first to ever do it. I would just forget about free agency unless the heavens open up and look to trades or the draft. It will be interesting to see Russ recruit players though.

[Pillendreher]

What it comes down to is this imo: We either have to get (very) lucky or just accept it ain't happening.

And I have to agree with Kizz Fastfists regarding our current level: Being slightly above .500 and Top 3 Pick material without Russ isn't good. Hell, I'd say it's bad. I would argue differently if any guy on this roster would have shown flashes of being productive without Russ, but that hasn't happened.

[Osirus89]

I dont know how we could come close to getting another star without trading Adams.

OKC doesn't get close even with trading Adams. OKC has two options. Option one is accept being a fringe playoff team again next year then go into a long and painful rebuild when Russ leaves. Option two is trade Russ and Dipo now and speed up the rebuild significantly. There is no option where OKC becomes a potential contender. Even if Draymond attacks a fan and gets a 2 year ban OKC still isn't as good as GS and there is still Cleveland, Boston, SA, LAC, etc way ahead of where OKC is.

I'm just not sold on the idea that trading Russell will lead to anything good. Unless he says he wants to leave, I just don't think you can consider trading him to be an acceptable option. If any of the players in the next two drafts are as good as John Wall that would be a success for these players. If you look at the players in this draft, do any of them just blow you away in terms of what they could become. (Maybe Ball and Jackson) Russ is a generational talent. The top four in this draft are very good, but I would be shocked if any of them are juggernauts. This draft will probably end up being a draft with very good talent distribution, but maybe not a generational talent amongst them. If you are trade away a generational talent for a pick that winds up being a bust, you will never hear the end of it. There are plenty of teams that could trade their main guys for a good picks package, but they have no desire to. Reason being the top picks in this draft "at best" won't be as good as what they currently have. Also it bears to mention that OKC would suffer greatly if the team had to rebuild. Say goodbye to any national media coverage and big network dollars. Bottom line is OKC would be lost in the wilderness without a superstar player. Look at the Pacers after Miller, Utah without Malone/Stockton, Orlando after Dwight, Cleveland without Lebron and so on. You may never bounce back to being relevant so you might as well keep it for as long as you can.

[ThunderBolt]

What about going hard after a young guy like Devin booker? Phoenix' gm said they don't want to trade him, but I'm not convinced that's always true. If they were willing to trade him what combination of players would we have to give them?

[thedoppelganger]

For the purposes of this season I can't see Presti making any moves bigger than moving Robes unless he's already gotten word from Russ' people on what his decision will be on the extension. Not good enough to challenge the top or bad enough to fall into the lottery, so no point in making short-sighted moves which hopefully Russ understands. Unfortunately we're not likely to be an interesting team trade-wise if Russ stays since we'll have to rely on a lot of internal development due to the lack of assets.

It'll be interesting to see what Russ decides this summer - he either signs the mega extension or we trade him (Philly would be an underrated trade partner if that's what it came to). If he stays then Presti will have to get creative, but it might take a season or two to get the right team around Russ like Houston did with Harden.

[bondom34]

I just want to say every team in history to win has needed luck. OKC is no different. Doppleganger just said it, it might take a season or two. Will everyone be that patient? Or will they want to ride off the star that actually accepts them? At first I thought Russ was great for staying, but maybe the fans don't deserve him if they don't want him. Go for it, be a team that one day hopes to be this good. You can't name many teams who'd be disappointed to be the Thunder today. I'm happy with the direction of the team, but sometimes you need more than a few months.

[NetsWorld]

I don't think we're stuck. I think we need to take risks to get better.

Welp, then I agree lol. I don't think trading Russ is one of those. Personally I feel the same for Steven, some don't there. Everyone else to me is available.

I dont know how we could come close to getting another star without trading Adams. I thought McCollum might be a possibility since Portland needed a rim protector but they appear to have found someone. What other team has an almost-star like Mccolum that we could get? I believe you mentioned Lemarcus Aldridge. Maybe. Millsap? He's an UFA next year and 32. Griffin in free agency? He loves LA. Do we try to bring in a headcase like Cousins? Don't see Presti doing that even if it was a possibility. Indiana is in the same boat as us, so they don't want to get rid of George. They probably have a few better pieces around him, but he isn't as good as Russ. New Orleans is in the same situation as us butt worse off. Detroit might be looking to rebuild but they don't really have a great scoring option. I think Minnesota might have been willing to move Lavine or Wiggins before Lavines injury. Same with Jabari Parker/Middleton situation. I would love to have Gordon Hayward, but how could we get him?

Cousins is one of the best bigs in the league and you do make the move if he is available. Sometimes a change of scenery is all that one needs and a different team culture to get back on track. Cousins is 26 and is a double double machine. Adding him will help with keeping the youth and also contention.

[ThunderBolt]

Welp, then I agree lol. I don't think trading Russ is one of those. Personally I feel the same for Steven, some don't there. Everyone else to me is available.

I dont know how we could come close to getting another star without trading Adams. I thought McCollum might be a possibility since Portland needed a rim protector but they appear to have found someone. What other team has an almost-star like Mccolum that we could get? I believe you mentioned Lemarcus Aldridge. Maybe. Millsap? He's an UFA next year and 32. Griffin in free agency? He loves LA. Do we try to bring in a headcase like Cousins? Don't see Presti doing that even if it was a possibility. Indiana is in the same boat as us, so they don't want to get rid of George. They probably have a few better pieces around him, but he isn't as good as Russ. New Orleans is in the same situation as us butt worse off. Detroit might be looking to rebuild but they don't really have a great scoring option. I think Minnesota might have been willing to move Lavine or Wiggins before Lavines injury. Same with Jabari Parker/Middleton situation. I would love to have Gordon Hayward, but how could we get him?

Cousins is one of the best bigs in the league and you do make the move if he is available. Sometimes a change of scenery is all that one needs and a different team culture to get back on track. Cousins is 26 and is a double double machine. Adding him will help with keeping the youth and also contention.

Cousins has had changes of scnerery before and he's always been a headcase. If he were available and Presti wants to win now, then beggars can't be choosers. I still don't think Presti would do it.

[bondom34]

Everyone really needs to step back from the ledge.

Look around the NBA.

Look at different team boards (I mean this literally, read them).

See who you think is in a similar or better/worse spot.

Because daily looking on the trade board, there aren't many teams I'd swap with right now.

[NetsWorld]

I dont know how we could come close to getting another star without trading Adams. I thought McCollum might be a possibility since Portland needed a rim protector but they appear to have found someone. What other team has an almost-star like Mccolum that we could get? I believe you mentioned Lemarcus Aldridge. Maybe. Millsap? He's an UFA next year and 32. Griffin in free agency? He loves LA. Do we try to bring in a headcase like Cousins? Don't see Presti doing that even if it was a possibility. Indiana is in the same boat as us, so they don't want to get rid of George. They probably have a few better pieces around him, but he isn't as good as Russ. New Orleans is in the same situation as us butt worse off. Detroit might be looking to rebuild but they don't really have a great scoring option. I think Minnesota might have been willing to move Lavine or Wiggins before Lavines injury. Same with Jabari Parker/Middleton situation. I would love to have Gordon Hayward, but how could we get him?

Cousins is one of the best bigs in the league and you do make the move if he is available. Sometimes a change of scenery is all that one needs and a different team culture to get back on track. Cousins is 26 and is a double double machine. Adding him will help with keeping the youth and also contention.

Cousins has had changes of scnerery before and he's always been a headcase. If he were available and Presti wants to win now, then beggars can't be choosers. I still don't think Presti would do it.

When a star becomes available, you make the trade. But as far as right now is concerned, Cousins may not see any trade until the off-season. Thunder are probably not going to do anything until come the Summer. Can the Thunder rebuilt? Yes, but stars do not grow on trees.

[bondom34]

Also, to anyone thinking it's not likely, I'd be floored if Russ didn't extend. Like cupcake leaving X100000. It's like $70 milion he gives up.

[ThunderBolt]

Everyone really needs to step back from the ledge.

Look around the NBA.

Look at different team boards (I mean this literally, read them).

See who you think is in a similar or better/worse spot.

Because daily looking on the trade board, there aren't many teams I'd swap with right now.

Most people aren't talking about trading Russ. We're talking about building around him. No one is on the ledge.

[NetsWorld]

Also, to anyone thinking it's not likely, I'd be floored if Russ didn't extend. Like cupcake leaving X100000. It's like $70 milion he gives up.

We all want Russ to extend. If he extends, it means the organization wants to build a winning product. Also, unlike many who do not see it now, I am one of the few who believe there is a good chance of KD coming back this Summer.

[bondom34]

Everyone really needs to step back from the ledge.

Look around the NBA.

Look at different team boards (I mean this literally, read them).

See who you think is in a similar or better/worse spot.

Because daily looking on the trade board, there aren't many teams I'd swap with right now.

Most people aren't talking about trading Russ. We're talking about building around him. No one is on the ledge.

I'm confused then.

OK, all good. In that case have at it, I was getting that vibe lol.

[ThunderBolt]

Everyone really needs to step back from the ledge.

Look around the NBA.

Look at different team boards (I mean this literally, read them).

See who you think is in a similar or better/worse spot.

Because daily looking on the trade board, there aren't many teams I'd swap with right now.

Most people aren't talking about trading Russ. We're talking about building around him. No one is on the ledge.

I'm confused then.

OK, all good. In that case have at it, I was getting that vibe lol.

My thoughts are we likely aren't going to get back to a title contender anytime soon. However if we are going to keep Russ, we need to do a major overhaul. Then people say, "oh I agree! But we need to keep Adams. Also I think Vic will be a great sixth man so let's keep,him too. Sabonis and Abrines have too much potential to move. Maybe we can move Kanter. If we get rids of Robes our defense will tank". That's my frustration.

[Kizz Fastfists]

It'll be interesting to see what Russ decides this summer - he either signs the mega extension or we trade him (Philly would be an underrated trade partner if that's what it came to). If he stays then Presti will have to get creative, but it might take a season or two to get the right team around Russ like Houston did with Harden.

Russ doesn't have a decision this summer. He has already made his decision. He maximized his money to stay one more year and hit FA when he is eligible for his new max, 35%. That will be after next season. At that point he'll leave for his 35% max on a team that gives him a chance at a championship. He took an extra $8M to stay one more year AND to avoid having to do a 1+1 like kd did. Russ didn't want to screw over his future team by needing them to sign him with cap room in consecutive off-seasons.

The only thing that can save OKC is a Russ injury and they get the #1 pick next year like the Spurs got when Robinson went down and they added Tim Duncan. As a fan of the organization, and not of individual players, I must root for either a Russ injury or a Russ trade. I refuse to root for any player to get injured. It took Houston FIVE years to get the team "right" around Harden. Russ is 28 this year. Do you think in 5 years a 32 year old Russ is going to be the same player? If the Houston time line is your goal then your goal is to waste the rest of Russ' career. That is not only mean to Russ, but a big FU to the fans. Remember that Presti started his tenure as GM by trading Ray Allen to Boston. He understood then the need to rebuild instead of trying to be a fringe playoff team.

[Kizz Fastfists]

My thoughts are we likely aren't going to get back to a title contender anytime soon. However if we are going to keep Russ, we need to do a major overhaul. Then people say, "oh I agree! But we need to keep Adams. Also I think Vic will be a great sixth man so let's keep,him too. Sabonis and Abrines have too much potential to move. Maybe we can move Kanter. If we get rids of Robes our defense will tank". That's my frustration.

There in lies the problem. You can't get a return on Dipo for it to be worth moving him if the goal is to win now. You aren't going to get anything for Kanter and giving him away doesn't even give you cap space. Without Adams the defense goes to garbage and you aren't moving forward even if you get McCollum for him. Sabonis and Abrines are players you trade if you are trying to win now and you just have to ignore the upside. The problem is Abrines is already showing to be one of the better 3pt shooters in the league and are you going to be able to get another for him that is more developed in other areas or are you actually just going to get a veteran that gives you equal performance like Wilson Chandler?

OKC can't trade a first round pick until 2022. They have a bunch of young players that have the ceiling of good role player. Can you package them for an established star? I have a hard time seeing Abrines, Sabonis, Grant, etc returning an established star. A solid role player, sure, but Abrines and Sabonis should be there next season so you are going backwards and pushing yourself to the brink of the tax line. Unless OKC can win the bidding for Jimmy Butler with a package of Kanter, Abrines, Sabonis, etc then there isn't anything they can do to take the HUGE jump forward they need to take. Minor tweaks that move them from 7th seed to 6th seed don't mean anything.

[ThunderBolt]

It'll be interesting to see what Russ decides this summer - he either signs the mega extension or we trade him (Philly would be an underrated trade partner if that's what it came to). If he stays then Presti will have to get creative, but it might take a season or two to get the right team around Russ like Houston did with Harden.

Russ doesn't have a decision this summer. He has already made his decision. He maximized his money to stay one more year and hit FA when he is eligible for his new max, 35%. That will be after next season. At that point he'll leave for his 35% max on a team that gives him a chance at a championship. He took an extra $8M to stay one more year AND to avoid having to do a 1+1 like kd did. Russ didn't want to screw over his future team by needing them to sign him with cap room in consecutive off-seasons.

The only thing that can save OKC is a Russ injury and they get the #1 pick next year like the Spurs got when Robinson went down and they added Tim Duncan. As a fan of the organization, and not of individual players, I must root for either a Russ injury or a Russ trade. I refuse to root for any player to get injured. It took Houston FIVE years to get the team "right" around Harden. Russ is 28 this year. Do you think in 5 years a 32 year old Russ is going to be the same player? If the Houston time line is your goal then your goal is to waste the rest of Russ' career. That is not only mean to Russ, but a big FU to the fans. Remember that Presti started his tenure as GM by trading Ray Allen to Boston. He understood then the need to rebuild instead of trying to be a fringe playoff team.

Are you saying that you think Presti WILL trade Russ?