I'm not disagreeing with that, I am disagreeing with the idea that OKC can't pay these guys because they clearly can if they wanted to.
Actually its Sefolosha that only plays for his defense, Harden's primary role is to come off the bench and be an agressive, scoring 6th man. He's always been known for his knack to put the ball in the bucket going back to ASU, not keep his man from doing so. And Westbrook played off the ball his entire college career, so I see no problem why he couldn't play with Lowry in the back court. And Lowry would bring some much needed tough-mindedness to this thunder squad. Like I said in my first post, the only caveat is the post D, which is why it probably won't happen. But I still think they would strongly consider it, especially if they could flip Aldrich for a vet big to replace Ibalka's presence.
My Jeff Green thoughts. Jeff is a 3 trapped playing out of position because of Durant, he can play some 4 because of his height but his skill set is that of a 3. I mentioned Jeff Green to Jason Friedman on Twitter and he was adamant about the rockets not needing him as there star player and I agree with him when you use the word NEED. My argument with him is that the Rocket don't have the pieces to get a Star like a Melo or anybody on that level. So as a organization we need to do deals to get players who are intriguing and may have star potential one day. Now when I look at OKC Jeff is going to be the oddman out on getting big money. They are not going to pay him what he wants. Russell Westbrook is going to get PAID this summer barring a lockout. I see Green as a hard worker type player, who still has something to prove and demeanor wise seems like he is still willing to put in the work. I see him as having the most upside of players who have yet to reach there full potential. He is averaging 18 ppg playing out of position. I was trying to explain to him that we need to do star potential deals and cap space clearing deals and take chances. He was not trying to hear me. The only start we could possibly get right now is Brandon Roy and that is because of injury.
As a fan of both the Thunder and Rockets, these trades are terrible for the Thunder. The only players I could see Presti wanting from the Houston pool are the cheap Rookie contracts like Hill and Patterson. Maybe more, if other trades are made. Green is an average to above average 3 stuck playing as a mediocre 4, because Durant is a 3. I'm not sure what Presti/Brooks is going to do with Green. I'm with (I think it was A_3PO) and hope he comes off the bench if he stays in OKC. A Lamar Odom role, but without the rebounding. Harden would have been easier to trade for up until the last few games; he finally got out of his slump and started attacking without hesitation like he was at the end of last year. And more importantly he started finishing at the basket, intead of only looking to draw a foul.
Jeff Green is basically Michael Beasley. Jeff is playing out of his position exactly like Michael with the Heat. If Jeff were to be playing as the SF he would probably just go crazy scoring nonstop like what Michael is doing now with the Timberwolves.
Latavious Williams might be a nice target for DMorey. Big bodied small forward that is averaging 10 boards a game in d-league (averages under 30minutes a game). Oddly enough, TWill is #1 in rebounds per game, Patterson #4, and Latavious is #5.
Not sure who we would trade for a Green. I'm thinking a player in the #1 Pick. but Presti is smart, I think he would take a # 1 draft pick swap and a expiring contract. The thing is Green is still on his rookie contract, I think he was a top ten pick so he is probably in the 6 to 8 mill range. Not sure if that would work trade wise.
4.4 million this year, but Green is a restricted free agent. Qualifying offer will be 5.9. Thunder used their available salary cap for Collison's front loaded contract this year, but you could do 2 trades. Green for Ariza's TE and then OKC would be be back under the cap if the salaries didn't match up. OKC has a few expiring contracts that were just salaries dumped on them for draft picks if it didn't match up in reverse. Cook - 2.1 million Peterson - 6.5 million
Jeff Green does NOT have star potential. He isn't that good. If he ever develops a deadly 3-point shot, that will take him to another level, but not "star" level. But he isn't even close to doing that. Jeff Green is also nothing like Michael Beasley. Green can't shoot pull-ups off the dribble, doesn't do turnarounds often, etc. He either takes jumpshots or drives to the rim. Above-average finisher. He has little in-between game like Beasley. He could only wish to have that type of offensive talent. Green's problems are being forced to play PF next to KD. He gets utterly destroyed by PFs that have any real power to their game. In fact, destroyed isn't a strong enough word. He's a tweener who isn't skilled enough to have much of an advantage over bigger players when he's on offense. Green role on a contender team would be as a 4th option at SF. But at OKC KD occupies the SF spot. Green gets hot sometimes, but his huge deficiencies on defense are a major downer.
If Thunder management was on drugs, they would move Westbrook off ball for somebody like Lowry. And take my word as someone who watches them often, Westbrook is every bit as tough as Lowry plus he has a nasty streak. The Thunder won't "strongly consider" trading Ibaka right now, even for Scola. Ibaka is cheap cheap cheap for the next 3 years while Scola has a huge contract. Scola would completely blow up their salary structure going forward.
Pretty much, I remember being surprised at the time when they drafted both these guys in the top 5 of the same year.
Good point. I guess Presti thought Jeff Green could become a Shawn Marion type of player at the PF position. But that's blown because he does not rebound particularly well and his defense is terrible. Ibaka's emergence will push Green out the door next summer. The +/- and W/L numbers now are compelling. I don't care how close Scott Brooks is to Green and how much KD likes having the guy around, they need a legit veteran C on that roster to contend for a title next season. Green's number was up LAST season (his 3rd) when he didn't improve at all and by his jittery choke job against the Lakers in playoffs.
The only thing the thunder are missing is a post presence, scola would be ideal for them while we could use green at the 3 and ibaka at the c spot and let hill takeover the four, to me it's works for both teams.
I think Serge Ibaka is the guy we need to spend on right now. He can be a major building block for the next decade. Outgoing Luis Scola Incoming Serge Ibaka Morris Peterson (Expiring)
there is nothing...nothing that will get OKC to give up the only. Player left that has the upside Seg has. Put down the pipe!! We have NOTHING! Scola and Martin combined wouldn't even convince them. Give it up.
I'm intrigued by Harden and Aldrich. Harden seems like he is just waiting for the right opportunity to break out but in OKC he will just be a nice bench guy. Aldrich has been playing some good ball in the D-League and can maybe become something next year with playing time. Ibaka isn't going anywhere, anytime soon unless they suddenly trade for DHoward.
OKC is 31-17... Why on earth would they even consider moving any of those guys for anyone we have on our team? This thread is beyond useless. If I were OKC I wouldn't give us Ibaka or Harden alone for Scola and Martin...
