Chuck's Challenge -- The Thunder Rolls

[Texas Chuck]

I know the likely plan is a Chris Paul trade, Gallo not re-signed, probably try and get something out of Schroder. But let's pretend they don't find a Paul deal they like. So they say fine, we've outsourced our tanking as it is, let's sign Gallo to a 2 year deal matching Paul's contract window and let's try and build on this year.

So the challenge is assume Gallo is being re-signed for 2 years, make some moves to address any needs you see them having. You cannot trade Chris Paul, SGA, or any of the future 1sts owed to them by the Clippers or the Rockets. All Thunder picks are available except remember 2022 is owed to Atlanta if it falls outside the lottery.

Also address free agency and the draft and oh yeah they need a head coach still. Remember they have a $10.3M TPE and a $9.3M TPE. You can go somewhat into the tax if you can justify it on the court, but probably best to try and stay out of the tax. Make your own reasonable assumption on the Gallo numbers. Remember OKC isn't cooperating in any S&T's so the competition may not be too fierce, but you also want him not to take a 1 year deal elsewhere to hit 21 FA with lots of money available. Don't lowball him either.

[Godaddycurse]

wait why cant we trade future firsts if they are trying to contend now? part of the reason i asked about adams vs gobert in another thread was because i thought he would be a good pairing w/ paul/sga/gallo.

[Texas Chuck]

wait why cant we trade future firsts if they are trying to contend now? part of the reason i asked about adams vs gobert in another thread was because i thought he would be a good pairing w/ paul/sga/gallo.

I'm mean?

My idea was Presti wants to keep all those picks he landed for PG and Westbrook because of the high variance they represent. You can trade Thunder picks every year but 2022.

[giberish]

wait why cant we trade future firsts if they are trying to contend now? part of the reason i asked about adams vs gobert in another thread was because i thought he would be a good pairing w/ paul/sga/gallo.

I'm mean?

My idea was Presti wants to keep all those picks he landed for PG and Westbrook because of the high variance they represent. You can trade Thunder picks every year but 2022 so they can still add future value.

But if you can justify using one or more of the Clipper/Rocket picks, then go for it. The challenge parameters are meant to be a guideline, not overly restrictive. If you have a great idea, screw my parameter and go for it.

If I were running OKC I'd want to keep my own future picks - especially the distant ones that are most tradable due to the 2022 one partly owed. That's insurance against things going very wrong. If I was making a win-now plan I would rather dip into the stash of other team's future picks.

Of course I'm not sure that a win-now OKC offseason looks very interesting. Mostly resigning Gallo, keeping the guys you have and looking for an extra solid forward (and a backup C if Noel goes elsewhere).

[MoneyTalks41890]

I'm honestly not making a lot of changes. This is still a team that has a brighter future than present, but I'm looking to shore up some shooting on the wing. I'm also bringing in another PG, because CP will miss time. Make another run with improved young guys in SGA, Bazley, Dort.

So with a resigned Gallo (2/40) these are the guys under contract going into this:

CP3/Schroder
SGA/Ferg/Diallo
Dort/Nader/Burton
Gallo/Bazley/Roby
Adams/Muscala

I'm signing Sam Cassell as head coach for four years. He and CP will get along, and Sam will be a great coach for the young guys after CP moves on.

At 25, I'm drafting Theo Maledon for some backcourt depth when CP invariably needs rest/is hurt and another guy to learn from CP.

In FA, I'm offering Noel an EBR contract starting at 105% of league average, which I think is roughly 7m (?) for 3 years, PO on the third year. I'm letting Roberson walk and the fringe guys.

I'm signing Courtney Lee to a min deal.

I'm offering Ferg, Burton, 2021 OKC 2nd, 2024 MEM 2nd for Cedi Osman

CP3/Schroder/Maledon
SGA/Diallo/Lee
Dort/Osman/Nader
Gallo/Bazley/Roby
Adams/Noel/Muscala

[Texas Chuck]

Of course I'm not sure that a win-now OKC offseason looks very interesting.

I'm fascinated by it, but couldn't quite make it work so was hoping you guys could figure it out. I'll start with what I was thinking and you can tell me how awful it is or help me salvage it?

Re-sign Gallo I'm thinking 2/$45M gets it done +/- 5M. Thunder want $40, he wants $50, I met in the middle.
Sign Marc Gasol with the MLE

Adams for more pieces. I had the Kings. Adams/Ferguson/25 for Bjelica/Holmes/Barnes or Buddy--was leaning Barnes. Might need a touch more going to the Kings I think?

Also thought about a Schroder for a wing deal. Certainly if I went Buddy above, but I'm going Barnes so skipping it.

Gasol/Holmes/Bjelica
Gallo/Bjelica/Bazley
Barnes/SGA
SGA/Dort
Paul/Schroder

Feels like an upgraded Thunder team and I didn't touch any future value(maybe a bit if the Kings deal is light).

Played around with a couple other combos as well, but mainly wanted to see if others thought them not selling made sense.

[loserX]

wait why cant we trade future firsts if they are trying to contend now? part of the reason i asked about adams vs gobert in another thread was because i thought he would be a good pairing w/ paul/sga/gallo.

I'm mean?

My idea was Presti wants to keep all those picks he landed for PG and Westbrook because of the high variance they represent. You can trade Thunder picks every year but 2022.

...or 2021 or 2023. Stepien rule

Good challenge though! Will think on it.

[blind prophet]

Of course I'm not sure that a win-now OKC offseason looks very interesting.

I'm fascinated by it, but couldn't quite make it work so was hoping you guys could figure it out. I'll start with what I was thinking and you can tell me how awful it is or help me salvage it?

Re-sign Gallo I'm thinking 2/$45M gets it done +/- 5M. Thunder want $40, he wants $50, I met in the middle.
Sign Marc Gasol with the MLE

Adams for more pieces. I had the Kings. Adams/Ferguson/25 for Bjelica/Holmes/Barnes or Buddy--was leaning Barnes. Might need a touch more going to the Kings I think?

Also thought about a Schroder for a wing deal. Certainly if I went Buddy above, but I'm going Barnes so skipping it.

Gasol/Holmes/Bjelica
Gallo/Bjelica/Bazley
Barnes/SGA
SGA/Dort
Paul/Schroder

Feels like an upgraded Thunder team and I didn't touch any future value(maybe a bit if the Kings deal is light).

Played around with a couple other combos as well, but mainly wanted to see if others thought them not selling made sense.

Not a bad offer to the Kings Chuck.

I think I may be able to move Bjelica to Utah + a second for bad salary and the 23d

How's this?

Fill salary if needed but a Barnes, Holmes, 35 for Adams and 25?

[Mike lorenzo]

Trade 1
Change Gallinari team, desperate to win now.

THUNDER In: Ariza / Collins / Simons / Hood
BLAZERS In: Gallinari (Signature / Change) Robertson (Signature / Change)

Portland gets 2 valuable pieces to win now.

Trade2
Schroeder for Oubre ..

Suns gets the guard they need ..

THUNDER
Adams / Collins/Muscala
Bazei /Ariza/ # 26T.Bey
Oubre /Ferguson/Hood
GSA / Dort/Diallo
Paul / Simons/
They get more young talent, they keep competing

[Dn4sty]

This is secretly the direction I want OKC to go.

I’ll post some trade ideas later today when I get some free time

[drosestruts]

alright let's see what we can cook up with these parameters:


Trade #1:

OKC in: Wayne Ellington, Kevin Kox, Dennis Smith Jr., and NYK 2022 2nd round pick
Knicks in: Dennis Schroder and Terrence Ferguson

Thibs loves fast point guards, Thunder take a flyer on Knox and get an additional 2nd round pick


Trade #2:

OKC in: Ersan Ilyasova
Milwaukee in: TPE

Bucks create some breathing room from the tax



OKC lineup

Paul/SGA/Smith
SGA/Dort/Ellington
Bazley/Knox
Gallo/Ilyasova
Adams/Muscala

No idea what to do with the other TPE, not the greatest idea in the world but some pretty tight parameters to work in.

[Texas Chuck]

That feels like OKC gets worse. Schroder was really good for them---probably should have been 6MOY and you replace him with 4 guys who would be fringe rotation pieces if that.

[100proof]

so....

make OKC a contender by not using any of their trade pieces.

Maybe a TPE and a pick for Bjelica
and a TPE for Delon Wright and a pick (18)

Then trade Schroeder to Clippers for Shamet and Zubac

Pau/Wright
SGA/Shamet
Dort/Ferguson
Gallinari/Bazley
Adams/Zubac

[Dn4sty]

So I finally have a bit of time.

I think the first thing you do is re-sign Gallo. I think 3/54 with a partial guarantee in 3rd year is close. I might could be talked into some sort of sign and trade, but I don’t what that would look like, because I think OKC could easily see Bazley take a big step forward and then you could obtain Bjelica with the other TPE.

I’d bring back Roberson on vet minimum.

I’d see if anyone would take Ferg for free (if not waive him or see if a second is enough for a team to take him).

My next order of business would be using a TPE or bring in a center that would allow an Adams follow up deal. So my first call is to Mavs for a deal like this.

Mavs get pick 25
OKC get Kleber, 18, 31

Mavs still get a first round pick, can save future money for a run at Giannis. OKC gets a serviceable center who can space the floor and is now able to make an Adams trade. I might be inclined to use the second TPE OKC has and take Wright as well, but if that happened, I’d insist OKC keeps pick 25. I don’t however think this would be realistic as adding Wright and Kleber adds an insane tax bill which is unrealistic.

I thought about kicking the tires on an Adams + assets for DeRozan, but not sure if Spurs would do that. DeRozan has his warts but he can facilitate, gets to the FT line and with him OKC would double down on the midrange. I don’t think a deal would materialize however with the parameters set by the initial post.

I also would look at a 3 team deal moving Adams to Kings, Horford + assets/players to OKC, and Hield/Bjelica to Philly. I’d also kick the tires on some sort of Adams for Hield/Barnes swap but not sure 18, 31 and Adams is enough.

Somewhere though you move Adams and I don’t think it would be crazy to move Adams in a deal where OKC gets Horford + 21 + Milton/Thybulle. Then you send Adams to a 3rd team (and that team sends an expensive but solid shooter to Philly). I think that team is Sacramento, but details would need to be worked out. I still think Horford can play and adding cheap contributors like Thybulle or Milton would be awesome. Also a a Thybulle/Dort wing defense would be something to watch.

You also could pair Adams and Dennis together for a huge expiring, but ultimately I don’t know who that would be

So I’ve got a lot of thoughts, but no definite answers.

[Trader_Joe]

Bit convoluted but....

Wiz/Pacers/Thunder

Pacers trades:
Turner, McDermott, Leaf
for
T.Bryant, I.Smith, J.Robinson, T.Brown, Draft Compensation from OKC

Pacers retool while adding depth and assets


Wizards trade:
T.Bryant, I.Smith, J.Robinson, T.Brown
for
S.Adams

Wiz add a legit 5 to see Wall, Beal, Bertans and Adams can make the POs


Thunder trade:
Adams, Draft compensation (bit of a cop out I know, but hey, they got plenty to make it work)
for
Turner, McDermott, Leaf

Thunder get some shooting from the 3-5 spots along with rim protection from Turner.


NEXT
Sixers/Thunder
TPE, Diallo, Draft Compensation
for
J.Richardson

Sixers save a large chunk of change on a player that didn't quite live up to expectation on the team.
Thunder go swtichy/small on the perimeter.

Sign Gallo for 3/60
Resign Noel for 2/6 (BASE-ish)

I have this putting them at $130m or just below the old tax line, so there is some wiggle room.

2021 OKC THUNDER
Paul / Schroder
SGA / Dort / Ferguson
Richardson / McDermott / I.Roby
Gallo / Bazley / Leaf
Turner / Noel / Muscala

[TPV]

Of course I'm not sure that a win-now OKC offseason looks very interesting.

I'm fascinated by it, but couldn't quite make it work so was hoping you guys could figure it out. I'll start with what I was thinking and you can tell me how awful it is or help me salvage it?

Re-sign Gallo I'm thinking 2/$45M gets it done +/- 5M. Thunder want $40, he wants $50, I met in the middle.
Sign Marc Gasol with the MLE

Adams for more pieces. I had the Kings. Adams/Ferguson/25 for Bjelica/Holmes/Barnes or Buddy--was leaning Barnes. Might need a touch more going to the Kings I think?

Also thought about a Schroder for a wing deal. Certainly if I went Buddy above, but I'm going Barnes so skipping it.

Gasol/Holmes/Bjelica
Gallo/Bjelica/Bazley
Barnes/SGA
SGA/Dort
Paul/Schroder

Feels like an upgraded Thunder team and I didn't touch any future value(maybe a bit if the Kings deal is light).

Played around with a couple other combos as well, but mainly wanted to see if others thought them not selling made sense.

Not a bad offer to the Kings Chuck.

I think I may be able to move Bjelica to Utah + a second for bad salary and the 23d

How's this?

Fill salary if needed but a Barnes, Holmes, 35 for Adams and 25?

I think this is a great deal that OKC should take if offered. Barnes isn't that great, but I feel getting a true SF/PF type to pair with Gallo was something missing on this team. Their best lineups are always going to be small, but Barnes gives them some flexibility to play bigger on the wing. Plus Adams for two players really helps their depth so that they don't have to play Ferguson, Nader, Muscala types.

Adams also gives Sac defense and stability at the 5.

[Dn4sty]

Bit convoluted but....

Wiz/Pacers/Thunder

Pacers trades:
Turner, McDermott, Leaf
for
T.Bryant, I.Smith, J.Robinson, T.Brown, Draft Compensation from OKC

Pacers retool while adding depth and assets


Wizards trade:
T.Bryant, I.Smith, J.Robinson, T.Brown
for
S.Adams

Wiz add a legit 5 to see Wall, Beal, Bertans and Adams can make the POs


Thunder trade:
Adams, Draft compensation (bit of a cop out I know, but hey, they got plenty to make it work)
for
Turner, McDermott, Leaf

Thunder get some shooting from the 3-5 spots along with rim protection from Turner.


NEXT
Sixers/Thunder
TPE, Diallo, Draft Compensation
for
J.Richardson

Sixers save a large chunk of change on a player that didn't quite live up to expectation on the team.
Thunder go swtichy/small on the perimeter.

Sign Gallo for 3/60
Resign Noel for 2/6 (BASE-ish)

I have this putting them at $130m or just below the old tax line, so there is some wiggle room.

2021 OKC THUNDER
Paul / Schroder
SGA / Dort / Ferguson
Richardson / McDermott / I.Roby
Gallo / Bazley / Leaf
Turner / Noel / Muscala

Richardson is also from the OKC area, but I don’t see how this improves Philly which currently has to be the direction the team moves.

[Dn4sty]

I'm fascinated by it, but couldn't quite make it work so was hoping you guys could figure it out. I'll start with what I was thinking and you can tell me how awful it is or help me salvage it?

Re-sign Gallo I'm thinking 2/$45M gets it done +/- 5M. Thunder want $40, he wants $50, I met in the middle.
Sign Marc Gasol with the MLE

Adams for more pieces. I had the Kings. Adams/Ferguson/25 for Bjelica/Holmes/Barnes or Buddy--was leaning Barnes. Might need a touch more going to the Kings I think?

Also thought about a Schroder for a wing deal. Certainly if I went Buddy above, but I'm going Barnes so skipping it.

Gasol/Holmes/Bjelica
Gallo/Bjelica/Bazley
Barnes/SGA
SGA/Dort
Paul/Schroder

Feels like an upgraded Thunder team and I didn't touch any future value(maybe a bit if the Kings deal is light).

Played around with a couple other combos as well, but mainly wanted to see if others thought them not selling made sense.

Not a bad offer to the Kings Chuck.

I think I may be able to move Bjelica to Utah + a second for bad salary and the 23d

How's this?

Fill salary if needed but a Barnes, Holmes, 35 for Adams and 25?

I think this is a great deal that OKC should take if offered. Barnes isn't that great, but I feel getting a true SF/PF type to pair with Gallo was something missing on this team. Their best lineups are always going to be small, but Barnes gives them some flexibility to play bigger on the wing. Plus Adams for two players really helps their depth so that they don't have to play Ferguson, Nader, Muscala types.

Adams also gives Sac defense and stability at the 5.

I don’t hate adding Barnes, but I don’t want it to come at the cost of not playing Bazley. I think that even if OKC were to decide to compete that giving Bazley a ton of run next season is the path towards the highest ceiling. Acquiring Barnes would surely eat into Bazley minutes.

For me adding another point guard so you can rest CP3 some (Wright), a bigger wing to guard the likes of Lebron/Kawhi/etc... and using the Adams expiring is the path towards definite improvement if the Thunder were to go down this path.

[Trader_Joe]

Bit convoluted but....

Wiz/Pacers/Thunder

Pacers trades:
Turner, McDermott, Leaf
for
T.Bryant, I.Smith, J.Robinson, T.Brown, Draft Compensation from OKC

Pacers retool while adding depth and assets


Wizards trade:
T.Bryant, I.Smith, J.Robinson, T.Brown
for
S.Adams

Wiz add a legit 5 to see Wall, Beal, Bertans and Adams can make the POs


Thunder trade:
Adams, Draft compensation (bit of a cop out I know, but hey, they got plenty to make it work)
for
Turner, McDermott, Leaf

Thunder get some shooting from the 3-5 spots along with rim protection from Turner.


NEXT
Sixers/Thunder
TPE, Diallo, Draft Compensation
for
J.Richardson

Sixers save a large chunk of change on a player that didn't quite live up to expectation on the team.
Thunder go swtichy/small on the perimeter.

Sign Gallo for 3/60
Resign Noel for 2/6 (BASE-ish)

I have this putting them at $130m or just below the old tax line, so there is some wiggle room.

2021 OKC THUNDER
Paul / Schroder
SGA / Dort / Ferguson
Richardson / McDermott / I.Roby
Gallo / Bazley / Leaf
Turner / Noel / Muscala

Richardson is also from the OKC area, but I don’t see how this improves Philly which currently has to be the direction the team moves.

Gets them down around the tax line and increases the odds they use MLE, resign players etc.

[Texas Chuck]

Mavs get pick 25
OKC get Kleber, 18, 31

Do you honestly believe Kleber is negative value that Dallas would pay to dump? I understand Dallas is going to need to dump some money by the 21 off-season if a max free agent agrees to sign, but I would not have Maxi as one of the players they would like to unload in order to create that space and I definitely don't have him as someone they would have to pay someone else to take.

Curious what it is about Maxi and Dallas that has you feeling differently?