Stand pat? trade for has been star? All in?

[PushDaRock]

I give it 2-3 years. OKC will compete for a championship this season, IH & Dort's team options won't be picked up this summer, and next season it will become painfully obvious how much it weakens their team D. SGA will be pissed after next season (losing Dort & IH), and then it is a question of how long before he forces something. The other key leverage point is SGA's supermax deal kicks in two seasons from now (2027-28), and his salary jumps by $20M, same year Cason is a RFA. The financial crunch will mean they have less room to maneuver (SGA@$60M, Chet & J-Dub @$45M each, and Caruso @$21M) and they will be solely reliant on their draft picks to fill key roles.

Draft picks filling key roles seems to have worked quite well for them?

Can Sorber fill IH's role? That will be key. Also, Dort and SGA are close. I can't imagine SGA will be happy if he is let go.

The West is just getting stronger, and teams in the West are coming at OKC's weakness (lack of size/strength).

It's not like they are completely stuck. If absolutely necessary, you don't think they can move Chet or J-Dub for a massive haul to rebalance that team? They can even move pieces like Wiggins or Joe for better than neutral value to rebalance some positions of weakness.

Seems like you're just banking on SGA being pissed if he loses any of his teammates.

[JB7]

Draft picks filling key roles seems to have worked quite well for them?

Can Sorber fill IH's role? That will be key. Also, Dort and SGA are close. I can't imagine SGA will be happy if he is let go.

The West is just getting stronger, and teams in the West are coming at OKC's weakness (lack of size/strength).

It's not like they are completely stuck. If absolutely necessary, you don't think they can move Chet or J-Dub for a massive haul to rebalance that team? They can even move pieces like Wiggins or Joe for better than neutral value to rebalance some positions of weakness.

Seems like you're just banking on SGA being pissed if he loses any of his teammates.

Chet and J-Dub look great right now because they are still on rookie deals. How will they be viewed on max deals?

In 2 years, the contracts for SGA, Chet, J-Dub and Caruso will eat up most of the team’s space under the tax. It will make it hard to fill in the other roles, unless players are willing to go there on minimum deals.

What SGA will get pissed about is watching their championship calibre team get pulled apart piece by piece.

[PushDaRock]

Can Sorber fill IH's role? That will be key. Also, Dort and SGA are close. I can't imagine SGA will be happy if he is let go.

The West is just getting stronger, and teams in the West are coming at OKC's weakness (lack of size/strength).

It's not like they are completely stuck. If absolutely necessary, you don't think they can move Chet or J-Dub for a massive haul to rebalance that team? They can even move pieces like Wiggins or Joe for better than neutral value to rebalance some positions of weakness.

Seems like you're just banking on SGA being pissed if he loses any of his teammates.

Chet and J-Dub look great right now because they are still on rookie deals. How will they be viewed on max deals?

In 2 years, the contracts for SGA, Chet, J-Dub and Caruso will eat up most of the team’s space under the tax. It will make it hard to fill in the other roles, unless players are willing to go there on minimum deals.

What SGA will get pissed about is watching their championship calibre team get pulled apart piece by piece.

J-Dub made All-NBA last season, that's not good value on a Max?

Chet probably will win DPOY, that's not good value on a Max?

[JB7]

It's not like they are completely stuck. If absolutely necessary, you don't think they can move Chet or J-Dub for a massive haul to rebalance that team? They can even move pieces like Wiggins or Joe for better than neutral value to rebalance some positions of weakness.

Seems like you're just banking on SGA being pissed if he loses any of his teammates.

Chet and J-Dub look great right now because they are still on rookie deals. How will they be viewed on max deals?

In 2 years, the contracts for SGA, Chet, J-Dub and Caruso will eat up most of the team’s space under the tax. It will make it hard to fill in the other roles, unless players are willing to go there on minimum deals.

What SGA will get pissed about is watching their championship calibre team get pulled apart piece by piece.

J-Dub made All-NBA last season, that's not good value on a Max?

Chet probably will win DPOY, that's not good value on a Max?

Let’s see if J-Dub can keep up that production, and if Chet can stay healthy.

SGA carries so much on that team, especially those two. If SGA is not there, no way those two are viewed in the same light.

And once the max deals kick in, the pressure intensifies. Let’s see how they perform under that pressure, with IH and Dort gone.

[PushDaRock]

Chet and J-Dub look great right now because they are still on rookie deals. How will they be viewed on max deals?

In 2 years, the contracts for SGA, Chet, J-Dub and Caruso will eat up most of the team’s space under the tax. It will make it hard to fill in the other roles, unless players are willing to go there on minimum deals.

What SGA will get pissed about is watching their championship calibre team get pulled apart piece by piece.

J-Dub made All-NBA last season, that's not good value on a Max?

Chet probably will win DPOY, that's not good value on a Max?

Let’s see if J-Dub can keep up that production, and if Chet can stay healthy.

SGA carries so much on that team, especially those two. If SGA is not there, no way those two are viewed in the same light.

And once the max deals kick in, the pressure intensifies. Let’s see how they perform under that pressure, with IH and Dort gone.

I can guarantee you both have more trade value than Scottie does right now.

[Los_29]

J-Dub made All-NBA last season, that's not good value on a Max?

Chet probably will win DPOY, that's not good value on a Max?

Let’s see if J-Dub can keep up that production, and if Chet can stay healthy.

SGA carries so much on that team, especially those two. If SGA is not there, no way those two are viewed in the same light.

And once the max deals kick in, the pressure intensifies. Let’s see how they perform under that pressure, with IH and Dort gone.

I can guarantee you both have more trade value than Scottie does right now.

Maybe right now because they are still on their rookie deals. But once those are up, and they are on max or near max deals their value will plummet. They will no longer be considered good assets unless they dramatically improve their games.

[PushDaRock]

Let’s see if J-Dub can keep up that production, and if Chet can stay healthy.

SGA carries so much on that team, especially those two. If SGA is not there, no way those two are viewed in the same light.

And once the max deals kick in, the pressure intensifies. Let’s see how they perform under that pressure, with IH and Dort gone.

I can guarantee you both have more trade value than Scottie does right now.

Maybe right now because they are still on their rookie deals. But once those are up, and they are on max or near max deals their value will plummet. They will no longer be considered good assets unless they dramatically improve their games.

Both are World Champions, J-Dub made All-NBA and Chet will likely win DPOY this season. Both are no brainer Rookie Max players.

[Los_29]

I can guarantee you both have more trade value than Scottie does right now.

Maybe right now because they are still on their rookie deals. But once those are up, and they are on max or near max deals their value will plummet. They will no longer be considered good assets unless they dramatically improve their games.

Both are World Champions, J-Dub made All-NBA and Chet will likely win DPOY this season. Both are no brainer Rookie Max players.

They can thank SGA for that ring. Both are great players but they won’t be great assets on max deals.

[PushDaRock]

Maybe right now because they are still on their rookie deals. But once those are up, and they are on max or near max deals their value will plummet. They will no longer be considered good assets unless they dramatically improve their games.

Both are World Champions, J-Dub made All-NBA and Chet will likely win DPOY this season. Both are no brainer Rookie Max players.

They can thank SGA for that ring. Both are great players but they won’t be great assets on max deals.

totally disagree

[Clutch0z24]

J-Dub, Chet are in the same tier as Barnes as players they are just in their natural roles on their teams they should be in on a championship team....If Chet or J-Dub were handed the keys to a team like Barnes we would prolly be in the same spot as a team overall....

If Barnes is worth the rookie max so are these two guys....Both key players for their title team....They also have the potential to have 4 FRP in the 2026 draft to either trade or draft more role players....They have alot of good young players that can step into roles if they lose certain players....SGA is 100 percent the engine that makes that team go so as long as he is there they will be fine...

Don't see SGA being mad about losing players....Its a business at the end of the day and im sure he knows that....Don't see OKC having any kind of fall off losing role players as these kind of players are literally the easiest type of players to replace.....OKC will be winning for a while...

[TGM]

I rank Barnes higher than Chet and JDub.

A year ago no, but Barnes has elevated his game to a total new tier.

Barnes durability and defensive presence has been next level. I think he could be traded straight up for either at this point not considering contract.

[JB7]

J-Dub, Chet are in the same tier as Barnes as players they are just in their natural roles on their teams they should be in on a championship team....If Chet or J-Dub were handed the keys to a team like Barnes we would prolly be in the same spot as a team overall....

If Barnes is worth the rookie max so are these two guys....Both key players for their title team....They also have the potential to have 4 FRP in the 2026 draft to either trade or draft more role players....They have alot of good young players that can step into roles if they lose certain players....SGA is 100 percent the engine that makes that team go so as long as he is there they will be fine...

Don't see SGA being mad about losing players....Its a business at the end of the day and im sure he knows that....Don't see OKC having any kind of fall off losing role players as these kind of players are literally the easiest type of players to replace.....OKC will be winning for a while...

I think you're undervaluing the roles IH and Dort play on this team. I don't think they will be easily replaced, if their options are not picked up by the team this offseason.

[Clutch0z24]

I rank Barnes higher than Chet and JDub.

A year ago no, but Barnes has elevated his game to a total new tier.

Barnes durability and defensive presence has been next level. I think he could be traded straight up for either at this point not considering contract.

Yeah you have to look at roles though.....Barnes right now is damn near our first option while JDub and Chet are 2nd/3rds behind Shai....If JDub or Chet were to get the same kinda touches/role it might be different....

If Barnes were on the Thunder and you take Chet off Barnes would be playing a sim role Chet is playing and on any championship team you would want Barnes as the 2nd or 3rd option at most....

All 3 are still in the same tier as players whoever you want to say who is 1st 2nd or 3rd can be argued....Idk if you would put Barnes in a new tier just yet because he has not been consistant enough....He still has games where he is off or has stinkers and is inconsistant....A legit superstar 1st option rarely has that...

[Clutch0z24]

J-Dub, Chet are in the same tier as Barnes as players they are just in their natural roles on their teams they should be in on a championship team....If Chet or J-Dub were handed the keys to a team like Barnes we would prolly be in the same spot as a team overall....

If Barnes is worth the rookie max so are these two guys....Both key players for their title team....They also have the potential to have 4 FRP in the 2026 draft to either trade or draft more role players....They have alot of good young players that can step into roles if they lose certain players....SGA is 100 percent the engine that makes that team go so as long as he is there they will be fine...

Don't see SGA being mad about losing players....Its a business at the end of the day and im sure he knows that....Don't see OKC having any kind of fall off losing role players as these kind of players are literally the easiest type of players to replace.....OKC will be winning for a while...

I think you're undervaluing the roles IH and Dort play on this team. I don't think they will be easily replaced, if their options are not picked up by the team this offseason.

I am not they are very important to a team but these are roles that are very easy to fill....There are a ton of IH, Dorts in the NBA and only one Shai, JDUB, Chet....These type of guys do not grow on trees....

IH/Dorts of the world are found throughout the draft every year....You can find them especially since OKC have a ton of picks so its not as hard as you are thinking it is....Shai/Dub/Chet are the 3 that get them to the dance....

OKC are the least team to be worried about anything tbh...They have arguably the best talent in the NBA and also the best assets in the NBA in terms of draft picks or players to trade....It would be kinda hard for Presti to mess this team up because they are set up so nicely...

[YoungG]

Interesting... If AD actually wants to come to Toronto, should Bobby make that happen? Link to B/R article about the NYTimes article lol - https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25352007-anthony-davis-rumors-reveal-latest-trade-mavs-contract-buzz-ahead-nba-deadline

Read on Twitter

[JB7]

J-Dub, Chet are in the same tier as Barnes as players they are just in their natural roles on their teams they should be in on a championship team....If Chet or J-Dub were handed the keys to a team like Barnes we would prolly be in the same spot as a team overall....

If Barnes is worth the rookie max so are these two guys....Both key players for their title team....They also have the potential to have 4 FRP in the 2026 draft to either trade or draft more role players....They have alot of good young players that can step into roles if they lose certain players....SGA is 100 percent the engine that makes that team go so as long as he is there they will be fine...

Don't see SGA being mad about losing players....Its a business at the end of the day and im sure he knows that....Don't see OKC having any kind of fall off losing role players as these kind of players are literally the easiest type of players to replace.....OKC will be winning for a while...

I think you're undervaluing the roles IH and Dort play on this team. I don't think they will be easily replaced, if their options are not picked up by the team this offseason.

I am not they are very important to a team but these are roles that are very easy to fill....There are a ton of IH, Dorts in the NBA and only one Shai, JDUB, Chet....These type of guys do not grow on trees....

IH/Dorts of the world are found throughout the draft every year....You can find them especially since OKC have a ton of picks so its not as hard as you are thinking it is....Shai/Dub/Chet are the 3 that get them to the dance....

OKC are the least team to be worried about anything tbh...They have arguably the best talent in the NBA and also the best assets in the NBA in terms of draft picks or players to trade....It would be kinda hard for Presti to mess this team up because they are set up so nicely...

I don't think any draft pick is going to be able to replace the level of play from and IH or Dort, especially not in the short term.

Also, Shai, like Jokic, has the ability to elevate the level of play of teammates. I would think other GM's recognize this, and would not value Dub and Chet as highly, if they are not playing with a player of Shai's caliber.

The real work for Presti is now maintaining the level of play, as the luxury tax considerations come into play more, which will force the breaking apart of this team.

[Merit]

Those type of guys aren't getting traded though, and definitely not for IQ.

Cason is definitely attainable since Shai is starting and they also have Ajay Mitchell and others like Topic arriving soon. Reed is attainable as Fred comes back next year.

Okc fans are very passionate about cason wallace

I’m sure they are. We were passionate about Demar. But it’s ultimately a business.

[Merit]

Those type of guys aren't getting traded though, and definitely not for IQ.

Cason is definitely attainable since Shai is starting and they also have Ajay Mitchell and others like Topic arriving soon. Reed is attainable as Fred comes back next year.

There is literally no reason to believe Reed would be available.

I literally gave you one. Not saying it’s likely, but it’s possible.

[PushDaRock]

Cason is definitely attainable since Shai is starting and they also have Ajay Mitchell and others like Topic arriving soon. Reed is attainable as Fred comes back next year.

There is literally no reason to believe Reed would be available.

I literally gave you one. Not saying it’s likely, but it’s possible.

nah

[YogurtProducer]

It's not like they are completely stuck. If absolutely necessary, you don't think they can move Chet or J-Dub for a massive haul to rebalance that team? They can even move pieces like Wiggins or Joe for better than neutral value to rebalance some positions of weakness.

Seems like you're just banking on SGA being pissed if he loses any of his teammates.

Chet and J-Dub look great right now because they are still on rookie deals. How will they be viewed on max deals?

In 2 years, the contracts for SGA, Chet, J-Dub and Caruso will eat up most of the team’s space under the tax. It will make it hard to fill in the other roles, unless players are willing to go there on minimum deals.

What SGA will get pissed about is watching their championship calibre team get pulled apart piece by piece.

J-Dub made All-NBA last season, that's not good value on a Max?

Chet probably will win DPOY, that's not good value on a Max?

Lets be honest, J-Dub should not have made all-nba. 21-5-5 is fine #'s, but far from all-nba caliber.

J-Dub and Chet seem like fantastic values when they are surrounded by depth all over the place. How would they look when the team is SGA/Dub/Chet and pretty much a bunch of minimal salaries? They are set to pay $120, $150M, $162M, $173M, and $185M to those 3 guys over the next 5 years. And that last year SGA has an option so the real number will be north of $200M.

Like OKC has this year and next, but after that there will be a serious cap crunch. They probably will need to move off one of JDub or Chet in summer 2027 because that year they have $214M locked up to only 10 players.

Like they'll be fine, but I don't think they can afford to bring back Dort and Hartenstein after next season without making other moves. Unless the owners are ready for a $275M payroll + tax