OKC has to pursue Giannis right??!!!

[cgf]

Title runs don’t last more than 3-4 years anyway without massive shakeups, be it Bron/Wade Heatles or Steph/KD Warriors, so if you can have two “top 4” players on the same team… one 28 and the other 32… I think you gotta do it. Shouldn’t outthink yourself worrying about 6-7 years from now. Giannis is very good at basketball.

Giannis is still really difficult to build around because he needs the ball, you have to space for him from the 5, he's a diva, and he's always injured.

I hear ya, but let’s say it was Chet + picks for Giannis,

Shai/Giannis/Dubb is your core. Giannis likes the ball in his hands but Shai also likes sitting in the corner watching someone else create when he’s not iso’ing. I think they would mismatch hunt teams to death with their two man game then take turns iso’ing whoever has the better matchup.

Everyone else… Dubb moreso scores downhill as a kick out swing swing recipient. Caruso, Cason, JWill, McCain are all spot up shooters. Ajay is a capable spot up shooter.

The only logjam issue is Hartenstein, who is a lob threat, but again there’s JWill for spacing.

He is a diva, but so was Shaq. Better a diva than a pansy (Chet).

I dunno, maybe I'm just spoiled by watching Brunson but SGA isn't very impressive as an offball guy. He was amazing going down swinging in that game 7, but he was killing them with the ball in his hands. And though Giannis is great at passing out of double teams to open shooters, he's not the kind of highlevel passer out of the highpost that even someone like iHart is.

So I feel like you're losing a lot with SGA by pairing the two of them the same way Dame and Giannis couldn't get the most out of Dame. And if you're moving Chet for Giannis then you have to find a 5 who can shoot to replace Holmgren...and they're not always easy to find.

I lean towards OKC needing to make a move in the weapons race, but I just feel like getting Giannis would backfire on them...like it would most of the teams that are being linked to him. The one team I actually like him for is Miami...though even there I think they'd be better off keeping Ware & using Bam to get Giannis, rather than going through with the rumored package.

[SlimShady83]

Giannis will be a Miami Heat next season, I originally said Knicks, but I'm now saying Heat

[cgf]

Giannis will be a Miami Heat next season, I originally said Knicks, but I'm now saying Heat

That feels like the best spot for him to me to. Gets to have his own team, in a glitzy location, and the team around him may not be contenders but they could be really good when he's healthy with Bam, Wiggins, Powell, and Mitchell.

[Rdude22]

Giannis is still really difficult to build around because he needs the ball, you have to space for him from the 5, he's a diva, and he's always injured.

I hear ya, but let’s say it was Chet + picks for Giannis,

Shai/Giannis/Dubb is your core. Giannis likes the ball in his hands but Shai also likes sitting in the corner watching someone else create when he’s not iso’ing. I think they would mismatch hunt teams to death with their two man game then take turns iso’ing whoever has the better matchup.

Everyone else… Dubb moreso scores downhill as a kick out swing swing recipient. Caruso, Cason, JWill, McCain are all spot up shooters. Ajay is a capable spot up shooter.

The only logjam issue is Hartenstein, who is a lob threat, but again there’s JWill for spacing.

He is a diva, but so was Shaq. Better a diva than a pansy (Chet).

I dunno, maybe I'm just spoiled by watching Brunson but SGA isn't very impressive as an offball guy. He was amazing going down swinging in that game 7, but he was killing them with the ball in his hands. And though Giannis is great at passing out of double teams to open shooters, he's not the kind of highlevel passer out of the highpost that even someone like iHart is.

So I feel like you're losing a lot with SGA by pairing the two of them the same way Dame and Giannis couldn't get the most out of Dame. And if you're moving Chet for Giannis then you have to find a 5 who can shoot to replace Holmgren...and they're not always easy to find.

I lean towards OKC needing to make a move in the weapons race, but I just feel like getting Giannis would backfire on them...like it would most of the teams that are being linked to him. The one team I actually like him for is Miami...though even there I think they'd be better off keeping Ware & using Bam to get Giannis, rather than going through with the rumored package.

I agree that SGA isn’t that great of an off ball guy at all. Like he really needs to improve on it. I do think he’s an underrated passer; doesn’t do fancy stuff but he keeps it pretty accurate and low turnover. Though if it came down to it, I’m talking at the very worst trash chemistry, simply doing my-turn-your-turn with Giannis plus going down hill after defensive stops (instead of Shai slow walking it every time)… I feel that’s going to be much more deadly than what any other team has going on.

And it would still end up in Shai’s hands in the 4th quarter with Giannis in for Hartenstein and three shooters around them. I mean, it’s not as perfect as, say, Shai and Jokic teaming up, but I feel they’d figure it out better than what happened with Dame, who was more screen/pick dependent to make things happen compared to Shai.

[Daddy 801]

People on here think Giannis has a chronic calf injury because of one year where he played a lot of basketball. He is totally healthy after having the most rest ever this offseason he won’t turn 32 till December still in his prime and arguably a top 2 or 3 player in the world. And is the most dominant inside presence in the world who Wemby will have a hard time stopping OKC would be crazy not to trade for him. As a bucks fan I rather keep him because next year expect an mvp season where ever he is.

Title runs don’t last more than 3-4 years anyway without massive shakeups, be it Bron/Wade Heatles or Steph/KD Warriors, so if you can have two “top 4” players on the same team… one 28 and the other 32… I think you gotta do it. Shouldn’t outthink yourself worrying about 6-7 years from now. Giannis is very good at basketball.

Giannis is still really difficult to build around because he needs the ball, you have to space for him from the 5, he's a diva, and he's always injured.

If he is playing against Wemby he can be their 5 and they can play five out. And then Wemby has to stop Giannis driving over, and over, and over which would put him in foul trouble.

If he is on OKC he can probably play every other game during the regular season and they still win 50+ games, or he plays until they start blowing out teams and they rest him the rest of the game.


He does seem like a diva though. The locker room fit would be my main concern as a GM if I was brining him in. Honestly OKC seems kind of immature (which they are young so I get it), and honestly that might work well with Giannis. Which is weird, but may be true. It’s all speculation though.

[Los_29]

Giannis is 32 years old and relies heavily on athleticism. OKC needs to make a move but not sure if Giannis is the guy. I also don’t think they need a major shakeup.

[Daddy 801]

Giannis is 32 years old and relies heavily on athleticism. OKC needs to make a move but not sure if Giannis is the guy. I also don’t think they need a major shakeup.

Politely disagree. Running it back when you just lost isn’t a great idea. Had Chet and SGA played well and it was super close that would be one thing. But it was Caruso and their depth that even won them games. You could say…well that means with JDub back and their main guys playing well they are fine. My thought would be…our main guys couldn’t get it done in a seven game series and I doubt our role players play that well in another seven game series.

[Rdude22]

Title runs don’t last more than 3-4 years anyway without massive shakeups, be it Bron/Wade Heatles or Steph/KD Warriors, so if you can have two “top 4” players on the same team… one 28 and the other 32… I think you gotta do it. Shouldn’t outthink yourself worrying about 6-7 years from now. Giannis is very good at basketball.

Giannis is still really difficult to build around because he needs the ball, you have to space for him from the 5, he's a diva, and he's always injured.

If he is playing against Wemby he can be their 5 and they can play five out. And then Wemby has to stop Giannis driving over, and over, and over which would put him in foul trouble.

If he is on OKC he can probably play every other game during the regular season and they still win 50+ games, or he plays until they start blowing out teams and they rest him the rest of the game.


He does seem like a diva though. The locker room fit would be my main concern as a GM if I was brining him in. Honestly OKC seems kind of immature (which they are young so I get it), and honestly that might work well with Giannis. Which is weird, but may be true. It’s all speculation though.

I look at some of the antics the Spurs deployed such as the taunting Vassell did to Chet in game 6, Wemby sending the goons to clobber McCain in game 5, the discourse other players and media have about them… I think Giannis brings an intimidation factor and force that would nip a lot of that.

Not to say OKC is soft but it feels like Caruso and Ajay have by far the most edge, whereas IHart and JWill just try to diffuse everything (or do the “come on bro…” slow walk).

So from that perspective I think Giannis would be great for the locker room. It’s like the Avengers knowing they got a Hulk.

I also agree that he’d probably be playing the least amount of minutes in his career. He’d still get to 65 games because he wants those awards I imagine

[Daddy 801]

Giannis is still really difficult to build around because he needs the ball, you have to space for him from the 5, he's a diva, and he's always injured.

If he is playing against Wemby he can be their 5 and they can play five out. And then Wemby has to stop Giannis driving over, and over, and over which would put him in foul trouble.

If he is on OKC he can probably play every other game during the regular season and they still win 50+ games, or he plays until they start blowing out teams and they rest him the rest of the game.


He does seem like a diva though. The locker room fit would be my main concern as a GM if I was brining him in. Honestly OKC seems kind of immature (which they are young so I get it), and honestly that might work well with Giannis. Which is weird, but may be true. It’s all speculation though.

I look at some of the antics the Spurs deployed such as the taunting Vassell did to Chet in game 6, Wemby sending the goons to clobber McCain in game 5, the discourse other players and media have about them… I think Giannis brings an intimidation factor and force that would nip a lot of that.

Not to say OKC is soft but it feels like Caruso and Ajay have by far the most edge, whereas IHart and JWill just try to diffuse everything (or do the “come on bro…” slow walk).

So from that perspective I think Giannis would be great for the locker room. It’s like the Avengers knowing they got a Hulk.

I also agree that he’d probably be playing the least amount of minutes in his career. He’d still get to 65 games because he wants those awards I imagine

I agree with your assessment.

[TDGlenmanor]

The salary on OKC's two picks in this draft will end up costing them $80M next year alone if they keep them, due to luxury tax reasons.

[tamaraw08]

They're not getting Giannis for Chet. Chet just became a liability with that contract. J-Dub didn't exactly help his value by being injured again.

I don't think OKC has a package to get Giannis.

Not even 2-3 FRP's and Ajay Mitchell and fillers like Dort and I-Hart to match salaries?

[TheAlchemist]

I don’t see any other offensive option or defensive to stop Wemby enough outside of Giannis.

TBH, OKC can try to get Scottie Barnes, but the Raptors will ask a lot in return. Or Jalen Johnson. But again cornerback stone franchise guys.

Would cost J Dub, Ajay and 4 firsts for those guys. Giannis will cost Chet and 4 firsts + salary. Muuuuch better.

[NyKnicks1714]

That would be a reactionary move and a disaster. Fans overreact to everything in the moment so this isn't a surprise, but OKC is in a perfect position and one Game 7 loss to the 2nd best team in the NBA doesn't change that. They'll still be an elite team and a contender next season, while at the same time having more trade assets than almost anyone else. It will be tricky, but they can potentially be great for a very long time, even beyond the SGA/Chet/JDub core. Throwing that away for a 32-year-old Giannis is a terrible idea, even though he's still a top-5 player. Fortunately for them, Presti is the best executive in the league and he knows all this.

[Sixers in 4]

They absolutely should move some of their rotation pieces for picks and then use their picks to get a frontline piece.

They have picks coming out of the wazoo and a bunch of cheap young talent. Why have overpaid role players when you have guys who can fill a similar role at a much cheaper rate on a rookie deal? If you have them languishing on the bench, barely playing, then you are losing the benefit of having all these picks.

It's time to move Isiah, Dort, the bald eagle and these super subs and some picks for a frontline piece. They already have the internal depth with guys like Wallace. McCain. Get salary under control and get another impact guy. Presti is great but he needs to be aggressive this offseason for frontline guys and start to consolidate these pieces; otherwise it is going to be a repeat of Ainge.

[Wingy]

I don’t see any other offensive option or defensive to stop Wemby enough outside of Giannis.

TBH, OKC can try to get Scottie Barnes, but the Raptors will ask a lot in return. Or Jalen Johnson. But again cornerback stone franchise guys.

Would cost J Dub, Ajay and 4 firsts for those guys. Giannis will cost Chet and 4 firsts + salary. Muuuuch better.

What in the living hell???

JDub is more accomplished and better regarded than both of those players.

[Clav]

I don’t see any other offensive option or defensive to stop Wemby enough outside of Giannis.

TBH, OKC can try to get Scottie Barnes, but the Raptors will ask a lot in return. Or Jalen Johnson. But again cornerback stone franchise guys.

Would cost J Dub, Ajay and 4 firsts for those guys. Giannis will cost Chet and 4 firsts + salary. Muuuuch better.

What in the living hell???

JDub is more accomplished and better regarded than both of those players.

Gave me a good chuckle Really like both players listed but I would love to see Presti's reaction to those offers, let's put it that way.

[durden_tyler]

i hope they do pursue Giannis (where they give up one or two key core players). He should be a chemistry killer with this group, the fit with SGA is questionable at best too. Could work but more chance that it messes up OKC's current and future.

[TheNG]

They should trade SGA for Jokic

[TheGOATRises007]

I don’t see any other offensive option or defensive to stop Wemby enough outside of Giannis.

TBH, OKC can try to get Scottie Barnes, but the Raptors will ask a lot in return. Or Jalen Johnson. But again cornerback stone franchise guys.

Would cost J Dub, Ajay and 4 firsts for those guys. Giannis will cost Chet and 4 firsts + salary. Muuuuch better.

Be serious man

[BigJimFinn]

They absolutely should move some of their rotation pieces for picks and then use their picks to get a frontline piece.

They have picks coming out of the wazoo and a bunch of cheap young talent. Why have overpaid role players when you have guys who can fill a similar role at a much cheaper rate on a rookie deal? If you have them languishing on the bench, barely playing, then you are losing the benefit of having all these picks.

It's time to move Isiah, Dort, the bald eagle and these super subs and some picks for a frontline piece. They already have the internal depth with guys like Wallace. McCain. Get salary under control and get another impact guy. Presti is great but he needs to be aggressive this offseason for frontline guys and start to consolidate these pieces; otherwise it is going to be a repeat of Ainge.

Yeah, the "3 aging max-paid stars and no depth" model worked so great for you in Philly, or say for the Clippers, that others absolutely should try to copy it. When your "frontline pieces" become front row spectators, or just fail to fit together, there is very little you can do to fix it. OKC has plenty of pieces to shuffle around, and they don't need a revolution, fine tuning is enough to keep them up there as a contender with real chance. That is really the best you can do in the current system, dominating dynasties are a thing of the past. And I say that as a Spurs fan.