2017 OKC Thunder Trade Discussion

[Pillendreher]

I for one still firmly believe in Dipo's potential. You're not throwing that away for a bunch of scraps from other teams. Especially given that our main problem is Russ having too little help on the offensive end. You don't give up the only guy on the roster with the potential of becoming a constant fixture on offense and helping Russ.

I feel like I'm repeating myself, yet I'll do it regardless: We can't keep doing this. This is our only chance to contend over the next couple of seasons. Unless we get back a better player or a superb draft pick, we always come out worse after doing it. Quantity and depth is nice, but in the end it's quality that wins you championships, not your 11th guy off the bench.

[bondom34]

I for one still firmly believe in Dipo's potential. You're not throwing that away for a bunch of scraps from other teams. Especially given that our main problem is Russ having too little help on the offensive end. You don't give up the only guy on the roster with the potential of becoming a constant fixture on offense and helping Russ.

I feel like I'm repeating myself, yet I'll do it regardless: We can't keep doing this. This is our only chance to contend over the next couple of seasons. Unless we get back a better player or a superb draft pick, we always come out worse after doing it. Quantity and depth is nice, but in the end it's quality that wins you championships, not your 11th guy off the bench.

I tend to agree with Pille here. Unless its a knockout deal. Enes is moveable and may opt out. Dipo, even at his salary, is an amazing guy to run a second unit at worst. Heck even since Kanter came back you can see the offense clicking. Give it time first.

[Pillendreher]

I for one still firmly believe in Dipo's potential. You're not throwing that away for a bunch of scraps from other teams. Especially given that our main problem is Russ having too little help on the offensive end. You don't give up the only guy on the roster with the potential of becoming a constant fixture on offense and helping Russ.

I feel like I'm repeating myself, yet I'll do it regardless: We can't keep doing this. This is our only chance to contend over the next couple of seasons. Unless we get back a better player or a superb draft pick, we always come out worse after doing it. Quantity and depth is nice, but in the end it's quality that wins you championships, not your 11th guy off the bench.

I tend to agree with Pille here. Unless its a knockout deal. Enes is moveable and may opt out. Dipo, even at his salary, is an amazing guy to run a second unit at worst. Heck even since Kanter came back you can see the offense clicking. Give it time first.

I think the main problem is Oladipo's passiveness. When he plays with that certain aggression, he looks very good. Him floating around on the floor and not really being part of the game is what has made him look this underwhelming. That's both on him and Donovan.
They have to find him a role on this team that enables him to play to his potential. Wether that's on the bench as the 6th man or as a starter is something the team needs to figure out. Since coming back from his wrist injury, his shooting numbers without Russ has actually looked nice: 49.0 2P%, 40.9 3P%, 55.9 TS% in 146 minutes.

[bondom34]

I for one still firmly believe in Dipo's potential. You're not throwing that away for a bunch of scraps from other teams. Especially given that our main problem is Russ having too little help on the offensive end. You don't give up the only guy on the roster with the potential of becoming a constant fixture on offense and helping Russ.

I feel like I'm repeating myself, yet I'll do it regardless: We can't keep doing this. This is our only chance to contend over the next couple of seasons. Unless we get back a better player or a superb draft pick, we always come out worse after doing it. Quantity and depth is nice, but in the end it's quality that wins you championships, not your 11th guy off the bench.

I tend to agree with Pille here. Unless its a knockout deal. Enes is moveable and may opt out. Dipo, even at his salary, is an amazing guy to run a second unit at worst. Heck even since Kanter came back you can see the offense clicking. Give it time first.

I think the main problem is Oladipo's passiveness. When he plays with that certain aggression, he looks very good. Him floating around on the floor and not really being part of the game is what has made him look this underwhelming. That's both on him and Donovan.
They have to find him a role on this team that enables him to play to his potential. Wether that's on the bench as the 6th man or as a starter is something the team needs to figure out. Since coming back from his wrist injury, his shooting numbers without Russ has actually looked nice: 49.0 2P%, 40.9 3P%, 55.9 TS% in 146 minutes.

After the last 2 games I'd like to see them try it. Abrines has been fantastic next to Russ, and I think he would run the 2nd unit better than Semaj.

[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.

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.

2 separate conversations. I agree he'll opt out to add the security of 3 extra years, but I don't think he'll 'get paid' anymore than he already is (after accounting for yearly raises)

[spearsy23]

I for one still firmly believe in Dipo's potential. You're not throwing that away for a bunch of scraps from other teams. Especially given that our main problem is Russ having too little help on the offensive end. You don't give up the only guy on the roster with the potential of becoming a constant fixture on offense and helping Russ.

I feel like I'm repeating myself, yet I'll do it regardless: We can't keep doing this. This is our only chance to contend over the next couple of seasons. Unless we get back a better player or a superb draft pick, we always come out worse after doing it. Quantity and depth is nice, but in the end it's quality that wins you championships, not your 11th guy off the bench.

I tend to agree with Pille here. Unless its a knockout deal. Enes is moveable and may opt out. Dipo, even at his salary, is an amazing guy to run a second unit at worst. Heck even since Kanter came back you can see the offense clicking. Give it time first.

In the end you have to move either vic or enes, if we need offense then you keep enes.

[Pillendreher]

I for one still firmly believe in Dipo's potential. You're not throwing that away for a bunch of scraps from other teams. Especially given that our main problem is Russ having too little help on the offensive end. You don't give up the only guy on the roster with the potential of becoming a constant fixture on offense and helping Russ.

I feel like I'm repeating myself, yet I'll do it regardless: We can't keep doing this. This is our only chance to contend over the next couple of seasons. Unless we get back a better player or a superb draft pick, we always come out worse after doing it. Quantity and depth is nice, but in the end it's quality that wins you championships, not your 11th guy off the bench.

I tend to agree with Pille here. Unless its a knockout deal. Enes is moveable and may opt out. Dipo, even at his salary, is an amazing guy to run a second unit at worst. Heck even since Kanter came back you can see the offense clicking. Give it time first.

In the end you have to move either vic or enes, if we need offense then you keep enes.

You most certainly move Kanter before you ever think about moving Dipo. Come on. Oladipo is the vastly superior player. Kanter's ceiling as of right now is being an average to slightly above average NBA player. Let's not get carried away.

[ThunderBolt]

Either way, one of those two has to be moved. You're not getting a star for either one. We wouldn't be able to afford a star even if we pulled of a magical trade. I'm not even sure we can afford a star if we move both Vic an Enes if we sign Taj and Robes. That basically leaves us the only option of moving them for pieces. Vic gets us a better return but would be harder to replace. I'm just not as high on Vic because I do think he's topped out. Yes he's young but he's in his fourth year in the league. Although he's Improved this year statistically, it's so marginally that it makes me believe he's always going to be what he is currently. At least Kanter is consistent.

[Old Man Game]

Is there a Kawhi Leonard in this class? Is Victor a George Hill? Would Presti be able to see that and have the guts to make that trade knowing he'd get criticism at first? Questions, people. Questions.

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[ThunderBolt]

It also wouldn't hurt if Nick will retire and we can get rid of Singlers contract.

[Kizz Fastfists]

Is there a Kawhi Leonard in this class? Is Victor a George Hill? Would Presti be able to see that and have the guts to make that trade knowing he'd get criticism at first? Questions, people. Questions.

If you trade Dipo, the second best player on your team, for draft picks how does Russ feel? Are you running him off? Unless Russ says he doesn't care about winning you can't trade Dipo or Adams unless you are also trading Russ and going full rebuild. Getting rid of what little help Russ has isn't going to encourage him waste his prime in OKC struggling to make the playoffs.

The only path OKC has is to go into a full rebuild. Trade Russ and Dipo on draft night. Get the best packages you can get of picks and prospects and speed up your rebuild. Season ticket holders are already crying about there being no secondary market and having to sell tickets at 25-50% below face value. What do you think happens if they miss the playoffs with Russ? People will stop showing up. A rebuild with new young and exciting players will offer hope that will keep fans showing up. A roster that has no chance at anything more than a first round exit doesn't offer hope it tells you to accept being below average.

[Pillendreher]

Is there a Kawhi Leonard in this class? Is Victor a George Hill? Would Presti be able to see that and have the guts to make that trade knowing he'd get criticism at first? Questions, people. Questions.

If you trade Dipo, the second best player on your team, for draft picks how does Russ feel? Are you running him off? Unless Russ says he doesn't care about winning you can't trade Dipo or Adams unless you are also trading Russ and going full rebuild. Getting rid of what little help Russ has isn't going to encourage him waste his prime in OKC struggling to make the playoffs.

The only path OKC has is to go into a full rebuild. Trade Russ and Dipo on draft night. Get the best packages you can get of picks and prospects and speed up your rebuild. Season ticket holders are already crying about there being no secondary market and having to sell tickets at 25-50% below face value. What do you think happens if they miss the playoffs with Russ? People will stop showing up. A rebuild with new young and exciting players will offer hope that will keep fans showing up. A roster that has no chance at anything more than a first round exit doesn't offer hope it tells you to accept being below average.

I don't agree about the rebuilding (simply because I don't want to see Russ on another team), but I agree about your conclusion: If you trade Oladipo, you're gonna have to tear it all down.

[ThunderBolt]

Is there a Kawhi Leonard in this class? Is Victor a George Hill? Would Presti be able to see that and have the guts to make that trade knowing he'd get criticism at first? Questions, people. Questions.

If you trade Dipo, the second best player on your team, for draft picks how does Russ feel? Are you running him off? Unless Russ says he doesn't care about winning you can't trade Dipo or Adams unless you are also trading Russ and going full rebuild. Getting rid of what little help Russ has isn't going to encourage him waste his prime in OKC struggling to make the playoffs.

The only path OKC has is to go into a full rebuild. Trade Russ and Dipo on draft night. Get the best packages you can get of picks and prospects and speed up your rebuild. Season ticket holders are already crying about there being no secondary market and having to sell tickets at 25-50% below face value. What do you think happens if they miss the playoffs with Russ? People will stop showing up. A rebuild with new young and exciting players will offer hope that will keep fans showing up. A roster that has no chance at anything more than a first round exit doesn't offer hope it tells you to accept being below average.

I don't think Vic is our second best player. I think that's Adams. I also think you only trade Vic if something happens like a legit star wants to come here or the wizards let Porter go. Both those events are highly unlikely but we still need to be willing to part with those guys if that opportunity comes.

The season ticket argument is ridiculous. Either OKC is an NBA city or it isn't, plain and simple. If season ticket holders are complaining about a team that still has the possibility of finishing 4-5 in the west with a superstar that is having one of the greatest statistical seasons in NBA history, then we should send them back to Seattle.

[bondom34]

Either way, one of those two has to be moved. You're not getting a star for either one. We wouldn't be able to afford a star even if we pulled of a magical trade. I'm not even sure we can afford a star if we move both Vic an Enes if we sign Taj and Robes. That basically leaves us the only option of moving them for pieces. Vic gets us a better return but would be harder to replace. I'm just not as high on Vic because I do think he's topped out. Yes he's young but he's in his fourth year in the league. Although he's Improved this year statistically, it's so marginally that it makes me believe he's always going to be what he is currently. At least Kanter is consistent.

In the end you have to move either vic or enes, if we need offense then you keep enes.

The thing is, you don't have to "move" Enes if he's just opting out anyway.

[bondom34]

Is there a Kawhi Leonard in this class? Is Victor a George Hill? Would Presti be able to see that and have the guts to make that trade knowing he'd get criticism at first? Questions, people. Questions.

If you trade Dipo, the second best player on your team, for draft picks how does Russ feel? Are you running him off? Unless Russ says he doesn't care about winning you can't trade Dipo or Adams unless you are also trading Russ and going full rebuild. Getting rid of what little help Russ has isn't going to encourage him waste his prime in OKC struggling to make the playoffs.

The only path OKC has is to go into a full rebuild. Trade Russ and Dipo on draft night. Get the best packages you can get of picks and prospects and speed up your rebuild. Season ticket holders are already crying about there being no secondary market and having to sell tickets at 25-50% below face value. What do you think happens if they miss the playoffs with Russ? People will stop showing up. A rebuild with new young and exciting players will offer hope that will keep fans showing up. A roster that has no chance at anything more than a first round exit doesn't offer hope it tells you to accept being below average.

I don't think Vic is our second best player. I think that's Adams. I also think you only trade Vic if something happens like a legit star wants to come here or the wizards let Porter go. Both those events are highly unlikely but we still need to be willing to part with those guys if that opportunity comes.

The season ticket argument is ridiculous. Either OKC is an NBA city or it isn't, plain and simple. If season ticket holders are complaining about a team that still has the possibility of finishing 4-5 in the west with a superstar that is having one of the greatest statistical seasons in NBA history, then we should send them back to Seattle.

And if nobody buys a ticket for a team with Russ, the place will literally be empty without him.

[Kizz Fastfists]

I don't think Vic is our second best player. I think that's Adams. I also think you only trade Vic if something happens like a legit star wants to come here or the wizards let Porter go. Both those events are highly unlikely but we still need to be willing to part with those guys if that opportunity comes.

Vic vs Adams is splitting hairs. The only way you have a shot at Porter is if you trade Dipo and Kanter for no salary and offer him a max contract and hope Washington doesn't match. No one is going to give you a legitimate star for Oladipo. They could give you a draft pick that projects to be a start, but not a current star.

[Kizz Fastfists]

And if nobody buys a ticket for a team with Russ, the place will literally be empty without him.

I normally go to 2-3 games a year depending on on if they are in town when I'm going to be in OKC. I made it a point not to go to a game this year and I won't attend any games while Russ is on the team. I won't support a team that thinks that average is good enough. Over half the teams in the NBA make the playoffs! The average NBA team makes the playoffs. If they trade Russ and commit to rebuilding I'll go to more games next year than any previous season, because the organization will have shown a commitment to winning and not being average.

[bondom34]

And if nobody buys a ticket for a team with Russ, the place will literally be empty without him.

I normally go to 2-3 games a year depending on on if they are in town when I'm going to be in OKC. I made it a point not to go to a game this year and I won't attend any games while Russ is on the team. I won't support a team that thinks that average is good enough. Over half the teams in the NBA make the playoffs! The average NBA team makes the playoffs. If they trade Russ and commit to rebuilding I'll go to more games next year than any previous season, because the organization will have shown a commitment to winning and not being average.

So you not going to games because of a silent protest = they're not going to sell tickets? Because right now they're selling out and the arena is at capacity.

[Bergmaniac]

And if nobody buys a ticket for a team with Russ, the place will literally be empty without him.

I normally go to 2-3 games a year depending on on if they are in town when I'm going to be in OKC. I made it a point not to go to a game this year and I won't attend any games while Russ is on the team. I won't support a team that thinks that average is good enough. Over half the teams in the NBA make the playoffs! The average NBA team makes the playoffs. If they trade Russ and commit to rebuilding I'll go to more games next year than any previous season, because the organization will have shown a commitment to winning and not being average.

But the vast majority of fans don't think like you. Having a superstar (especially one as spectacular as Westbrook) and an average team likely to be 6-7th seed and win 48 games is way better for ticket sales than having a young team with potential which is most likely lottery-bound for the next few seasons.

[Andre Roberstan]

I for one still firmly believe in Dipo's potential. You're not throwing that away for a bunch of scraps from other teams. Especially given that our main problem is Russ having too little help on the offensive end. You don't give up the only guy on the roster with the potential of becoming a constant fixture on offense and helping Russ.

I feel like I'm repeating myself, yet I'll do it regardless: We can't keep doing this. This is our only chance to contend over the next couple of seasons. Unless we get back a better player or a superb draft pick, we always come out worse after doing it. Quantity and depth is nice, but in the end it's quality that wins you championships, not your 11th guy off the bench.

I tend to agree with Pille here. Unless its a knockout deal. Enes is moveable and may opt out. Dipo, even at his salary, is an amazing guy to run a second unit at worst. Heck even since Kanter came back you can see the offense clicking. Give it time first.

I'd rather keep Dipo, true. But I think the chances of finding a Kanter deal are slim, and I really don't think he'll opt out. Offense-first bigs are due for a market correction when the next round of contracts comes up.