2017 OKC Thunder Trade Discussion

[ThunderBolt]

I think Dipo is definitely gone. As far as Enes, I'm not sure that Presti couldn't get a decent return for him. No one would have thought we could have gotten much of anything for the three we just traded. It's just my personal opinion but someone will want Kanter. Yes his defense sucks but his offense is second to none. Someone will bite. I'm just not sure how we will turn those two into anything that allows us to win now. When you're trying to win now but I have no cash, you're kind of screwed. Meanwhile, Golden state has 4 all stars and is better off from financially than us.

[Kizz Fastfists]

Someone has to go. It could be Russ. It could be Steven. Neither are likely. So that leaves Enes and Dipo, and there are too many offense-first bigs on the market for Enes to get a decent return.

The problem is that without Dipo OKC probably isn't a playoff team next year. So if they are going to get rid of Dipo they might as well trade Russ and Dipo on draft night and get the rebuild off to a good start. I'd get whatever I could for Kanter, also. I'd keep Adams to fill the Perkins role for the rebuild.

[bondom34]

Someone has to go. It could be Russ. It could be Steven. Neither are likely. So that leaves Enes and Dipo, and there are too many offense-first bigs on the market for Enes to get a decent return.

The problem is that without Dipo OKC probably isn't a playoff team next year. So if they are going to get rid of Dipo they might as well trade Russ and Dipo on draft night and get the rebuild off to a good start. I'd get whatever I could for Kanter, also. I'd keep Adams to fill the Perkins role for the rebuild.

This feels like a stretch. It would be a hit, but unless you're trading him and not getting back any talent you're still looking at a playoff team.

[bondom34]

Assets don't necessarily equal no immediate help.

what assets would that be? Those trades always end up being quality for quantity. That's what I mean by 'the cycle'. We have done this multiple times already and it has come back to bite us almost every single time.

Barring unprecedented growth from one of our other pieces, we're looking at being capped out and possibly in the 2018–19 repeater tax for a 6-7 seed team next year, with 2 RFAs coming up for a payday.

Someone has to go. It could be Russ. It could be Steven. Neither are likely. So that leaves Enes and Dipo, and there are too many offense-first bigs on the market for Enes to get a decent return.

We've done this twice. The first time it was Harden. Presti jumped too early.

The second time it was Jackson. Presti jumped too late.

Hopefully this third time he falls in the middle.

Just remembered but 18-19 is Enes's player option. He's almost for sure opting out. So there's 18 mil off the books.

[Andre Roberstan]

what assets would that be? Those trades always end up being quality for quantity. That's what I mean by 'the cycle'. We have done this multiple times already and it has come back to bite us almost every single time.

Barring unprecedented growth from one of our other pieces, we're looking at being capped out and possibly in the 2018–19 repeater tax for a 6-7 seed team next year, with 2 RFAs coming up for a payday.

Someone has to go. It could be Russ. It could be Steven. Neither are likely. So that leaves Enes and Dipo, and there are too many offense-first bigs on the market for Enes to get a decent return.

We've done this twice. The first time it was Harden. Presti jumped too early.

The second time it was Jackson. Presti jumped too late.

Hopefully this third time he falls in the middle.

Just remembered but 18-19 is Enes's player option. He's almost for sure opting out. So there's 18 mil off the books.

Is he?

Cap space is going to be largely dried up by that point, and we're in the midst of a huge big man surplus right now.

[bondom34]

Barring unprecedented growth from one of our other pieces, we're looking at being capped out and possibly in the 2018–19 repeater tax for a 6-7 seed team next year, with 2 RFAs coming up for a payday.

Someone has to go. It could be Russ. It could be Steven. Neither are likely. So that leaves Enes and Dipo, and there are too many offense-first bigs on the market for Enes to get a decent return.

We've done this twice. The first time it was Harden. Presti jumped too early.

The second time it was Jackson. Presti jumped too late.

Hopefully this third time he falls in the middle.

Just remembered but 18-19 is Enes's player option. He's almost for sure opting out. So there's 18 mil off the books.

Is he?

Cap space is going to be largely dried up by that point, and we're in the midst of a huge big man surplus right now.

I'd be shocked if he didn't. Bigs are still getting paid like mad and at 18 mil he'd almost for sure be able to lock up a long term deal at a slightly higher pay level.

[ThunderBolt]

Someone has to go. It could be Russ. It could be Steven. Neither are likely. So that leaves Enes and Dipo, and there are too many offense-first bigs on the market for Enes to get a decent return.

The problem is that without Dipo OKC probably isn't a playoff team next year. So if they are going to get rid of Dipo they might as well trade Russ and Dipo on draft night and get the rebuild off to a good start. I'd get whatever I could for Kanter, also. I'd keep Adams to fill the Perkins role for the rebuild.

It all depends on what they get for him.

[Pillendreher]

Assets don't necessarily equal no immediate help.

what assets would that be? Those trades always end up being quality for quantity. That's what I mean by 'the cycle'. We have done this multiple times already and it has come back to bite us almost every single time.

Barring unprecedented growth from one of our other pieces, we're looking at being capped out and possibly in the 2018–19 repeater tax for a 6-7 seed team next year, with 2 RFAs coming up for a payday.

Someone has to go. It could be Russ. It could be Steven. Neither are likely. So that leaves Enes and Dipo, and there are too many offense-first bigs on the market for Enes to get a decent return.

We've done this twice. The first time it was Harden. Presti jumped too early.

The second time it was Jackson. Presti jumped too late.

Hopefully this third time he falls in the middle.

Let's go down the list and look at teams that aren't set at the SG position:

Atlanta (if Bazemore slides over to SF)
Brooklyn
Chicago (if Wade opts out)
Denver (they have a wing surplus though)
Indiana
LA Lakers
Memphis
New Orleans
Philly
Sacramento

What kind of return would even be worth it? A lottery pick? I mean we have to keep our eyes on one simple fact: We can't presume to get away with getting worse while Russ is here. We just can't.
So what are we looking at? I doubt we'd get a high lottery pick this year, unless BC loses it. We could secure a nice package from Denver, but that's just more of the same: Decent, but not (nearly) good enough. Given that your intention is to shed salary, we'd have to look at guys on their rookie deals. Unless we're talking about pure projects: Why would anybody give away a guy close to being a sure deal on a good contract to aquire Oladipo?

I don't see any way for us to not come out worse after trading him.

[ThunderBolt]

what assets would that be? Those trades always end up being quality for quantity. That's what I mean by 'the cycle'. We have done this multiple times already and it has come back to bite us almost every single time.

Barring unprecedented growth from one of our other pieces, we're looking at being capped out and possibly in the 2018–19 repeater tax for a 6-7 seed team next year, with 2 RFAs coming up for a payday.

Someone has to go. It could be Russ. It could be Steven. Neither are likely. So that leaves Enes and Dipo, and there are too many offense-first bigs on the market for Enes to get a decent return.

We've done this twice. The first time it was Harden. Presti jumped too early.

The second time it was Jackson. Presti jumped too late.

Hopefully this third time he falls in the middle.

Let's go down the list and look at teams that aren't set at the SG position:

Atlanta (if Bazemore slides over to SF)
Brooklyn
Chicago (if Wade opts out)
Denver (they have a wing surplus though)
Indiana
LA Lakers
Memphis
New Orleans
Philly
Sacramento

What kind of return would even be worth it? A lottery pick? I mean we have to keep our eyes on one simple fact: We can't presume to get away with getting worse while Russ is here. We just can't.
So what are we looking at? I doubt we'd get a high lottery pick this year, unless BC loses it. We could secure a nice package from Denver, but that's just more of the same: Decent, but not (nearly) good enough. Given that your intention is to shed salary, we'd have to look at guys on their rookie deals. Unless we're talking about pure projects: Why would anybody give away a guy close to being a sure deal on a good contract to aquire Oladipo?

I don't see any way for us to not come out worse after trading him.

Any chance of trading our draft pick with Oladipo for a higher pick? I mean physically trade our guy after he's been selected. I know we can't trade our pick this year.

[Old Man Game]

Is anybody going? And for those who aren't what channel?

It could happen. Might get into late lottery at most though.

[Pillendreher]

Barring unprecedented growth from one of our other pieces, we're looking at being capped out and possibly in the 2018–19 repeater tax for a 6-7 seed team next year, with 2 RFAs coming up for a payday.

Someone has to go. It could be Russ. It could be Steven. Neither are likely. So that leaves Enes and Dipo, and there are too many offense-first bigs on the market for Enes to get a decent return.

We've done this twice. The first time it was Harden. Presti jumped too early.

The second time it was Jackson. Presti jumped too late.

Hopefully this third time he falls in the middle.

Let's go down the list and look at teams that aren't set at the SG position:

Atlanta (if Bazemore slides over to SF)
Brooklyn
Chicago (if Wade opts out)
Denver (they have a wing surplus though)
Indiana
LA Lakers
Memphis
New Orleans
Philly
Sacramento

What kind of return would even be worth it? A lottery pick? I mean we have to keep our eyes on one simple fact: We can't presume to get away with getting worse while Russ is here. We just can't.
So what are we looking at? I doubt we'd get a high lottery pick this year, unless BC loses it. We could secure a nice package from Denver, but that's just more of the same: Decent, but not (nearly) good enough. Given that your intention is to shed salary, we'd have to look at guys on their rookie deals. Unless we're talking about pure projects: Why would anybody give away a guy close to being a sure deal on a good contract to aquire Oladipo?

I don't see any way for us to not come out worse after trading him.

Any chance of trading our draft pick with Oladipo for a higher pick? I mean physically trade our guy after he's been selected. I know we can't trade our pick this year.

I doubt it. Teams are trying their damnest to hold onto their picks this year. Dipo is not enough of a difference maker to move the needle in that regard imo.
Hell, and even if he were: You have to wait another 2-4 years for the guy you drafted.

[retrobro90]

Let's go down the list and look at teams that aren't set at the SG position:

Atlanta (if Bazemore slides over to SF)
Brooklyn
Chicago (if Wade opts out)
Denver (they have a wing surplus though)
Indiana
LA Lakers
Memphis
New Orleans
Philly
Sacramento

What kind of return would even be worth it? A lottery pick? I mean we have to keep our eyes on one simple fact: We can't presume to get away with getting worse while Russ is here. We just can't.
So what are we looking at? I doubt we'd get a high lottery pick this year, unless BC loses it. We could secure a nice package from Denver, but that's just more of the same: Decent, but not (nearly) good enough. Given that your intention is to shed salary, we'd have to look at guys on their rookie deals. Unless we're talking about pure projects: Why would anybody give away a guy close to being a sure deal on a good contract to aquire Oladipo?

I don't see any way for us to not come out worse after trading him.

Any chance of trading our draft pick with Oladipo for a higher pick? I mean physically trade our guy after he's been selected. I know we can't trade our pick this year.

I doubt it. Teams are trying their damnest to hold onto their picks this year. Dipo is not enough of a difference maker to move the needle in that regard imo.
Hell, and even if he were: You have to wait another 2-4 years for the guy you drafted.

There's no chance a smart team does anything for our benefit regarding trading up in the draft. I think it could realistically happen solely based on the fact that a lot of teams in the lottery have incompetent front offices. The difficulty though, as you have said, is about finding a player (in the draft) who would be an immediate impact.

[ThunderBolt]

Any chance of trading our draft pick with Oladipo for a higher pick? I mean physically trade our guy after he's been selected. I know we can't trade our pick this year.

I doubt it. Teams are trying their damnest to hold onto their picks this year. Dipo is not enough of a difference maker to move the needle in that regard imo.
Hell, and even if he were: You have to wait another 2-4 years for the guy you drafted.

There's no chance a smart team does anything for our benefit regarding trading up in the draft. I think it could realistically happen solely based on the fact that a lot of teams in the lottery have incompetent front offices. The difficulty though, as you have said, is about finding a player (in the draft) who would be an immediate impact.

When GMs feel the pressure to win now or lose their job, good deals can be made. That's what I'm hoping for. There isn't any way we can predict what Presti will do. I don't think Oladipos production will be that hard to replace.

[spearsy23]

Vic is just a guy, he's not a piece that makes or breaks a team. If we split his salary into well fitting pieces I think we could actually be better next year.

[getrichordie]

Vic is just a guy, he's not a piece that makes or breaks a team. If we split his salary into well fitting pieces I think we could actually be better next year.

What do you think we can net for Dipo + the 19th pick?

[spearsy23]

Vic is just a guy, he's not a piece that makes or breaks a team. If we split his salary into well fitting pieces I think we could actually be better next year.

What do you think we can net for Dipo + the 19th pick?

At that point you're trying to upgrade to a better player, that isn't what I'd go for. I'd keep the pick and try to 'downgrade' into multiple pieces. Maybe something like dipo for Barton + Mudiay or Covington + McConnell (I don't know if either of those clubs do that) then use the savings to try and keep Taj. If all goes well then you end up with some variation of
Russ/Robes/Covington/Taj/Steven
McConnell/Abrines/McThunderBuckets/Domas/Enes

With Kuruks stashed overseas or Ferguson seasoning in the d-league. That team is light on top end talent, but it's deeeeeeeep. Lineups could probably be tinkered with a bit to get better offense/defense balance but I think we'd close with that.

[Osirus89]

Sounds like Taj is open to the idea of staying in OKC. Have to see how the season goes, but that is a promising sign.
Caution with the trade scenarios regarding Victor for other pieces. The trade at the deadline was one thing. Those players were mostly irrelevant. However, trading Victor is something that would HAVE to be run by Russ beforehand. I know I wouldn't be the most enthusiastic if a player I had acclimated to over a season was traded for guys that may not move the needle much to save money, or for some rook. Victor isn't harden, but if the return is bad, it would be just as disastrous.

[bondom34]

Money wise, I still say Enes opts out. He's gonna get paid somewhere. If a deal for Vic is there sure.

[spearsy23]

Money wise, I still say Enes opts out. He's gonna get paid somewhere. If a deal for Vic is there sure.

I don't think he'll make any more than he already is. Nobody is giving him 25 million per year, especially since the MLE and rookie scale deals will have risen. There's been some speculation that because the high end and the low end are going to make more the middle is going to stagnate a bit.

[bondom34]

Money wise, I still say Enes opts out. He's gonna get paid somewhere. If a deal for Vic is there sure.

I don't think he'll make any more than he already is. Nobody is giving him 25 million per year, especially since the MLE and rookie scale deals will have risen. There's been some speculation that because the high end and the low end are going to make more the middle is going to stagnate a bit.

He'd at least make what he's getting now, and can lock it up for a long term contract. He wont get 25 but could get 20.