OKC very definitely has a plan to maximize assets. Presti is doing exactly what early Morey did and is very smart. They tried to trade Kemba to several teams including the Knicks (because he wanted to go home) and knew there were no takers with his degenerative knee. They bought him out because it didn't fit in their plans to keep him and they couldn't make him sit at home. They will churn more assets and keep waiting for an opportunity to present itself. As to us, TPE are worthless. We need to jettison Augustin, Wall, and EGo and focus on two max slots. As to GSW LTS, this is why last year I recommended trading EGo and PJ to them for Wiggins and the #7 pick. It meant a ton in LTS and gaining talent that fit their plans but that is gone now. We still need to trade EGo to one of these teams where his value is highest and take back a TPE to get that money off the books. Finding somewhere for Wall to land is a much tougher task now.
All I am saying is fans in OKC are probably tired of this AFTER they had a team with 3 MVP's on it and made it to the NBA Finals (2012). I appreciate the buyout of Kemba and predicted he would end up in NYC. I think Presti could have (ceteris paribus = other things remaining the same) - drafted Kai Jones at 1-18 - drafted Jericho Sims at 2-55 ~ signed to 4 years, $8M contract (team option on 4th year) - not traded 1-16 to Htown (but let's presume he did anyway ) - signed Schroder to a 4 years, $107M year deal (Schroder had his best years in OKC; 1st 2 years guaranteed, last two years are team options) since Kemba is off the books next season, they need to add some salary to hit the cap floor - cut Charlie Brown & Kenrich Williams - re-signed Tony Bradley to a 2 year, $10M contract (IRL he signed a 1 year, vet min deal with Chicago w/ PO on 2nd) - did same extension with SGA (that was a nice piece of work.... may have had to mend some fences after throwing SGA out there to the Pistons... allegedly) - their salary cap would have then been around $118.34M (over the salary cap line, but not wwayyyy over0 - now Presti could use the TPEs Three way trade between OKC - CHI - SAC - trade 3 FRPs (2022, 2023, 2024) lowest pick in each of those years to SAC for F/G Buddy Hield (played at OK & local legend as Norman is not far from OKC) - trade Derek Favors to CHI for future SRP (Chicago needs a big man since OKC signed Bradley) - now OKC salaries at $128M ($8Mish breathing room from luxury tax line) - Schroder, SGA, Hield, Pokusveski (or Sims), & Jones is an exciting and young starting 5 that could play uptempo and high-scoring basketball. What fans come to see. They would also lose a lot of games because they would probably give up as many as they score. For fans, the game would be in doubt, but their core would always be close. The bench of Giddey, Maledon, Jerome, Dort, Bazely, Muscala, & Bradley would be efficient, but not championship caliber. (Gotta preserve those high picks! 2022 - 2023 - Walker's salary drops off the books - OKC has salaries around $113M - Cap anticipated at $119 - so they have about $6M in room with potentially 5 picks in 2022 draft.1st round alone - They probably will end up with their lottery pick + 2 low 1st round picks (PHO, LAC); they give one to SAC (Hield trade) + they have their (high) 2nd round pick - they have good balance on their team so they can go BPA in the lottery - Dort is their only free agent of major concern; if he is made sufficient progress, he gets paid. If not..... - Once again, this team is all about competing & losing games (plus growth of its young squad). Giddey is probably starting with Schroder back to his 6th man role. 2023 - 2024 - The magic year! Lots of big name free agents available. Guess what: Thunder got Mo $! MO $ MO $$$ to spend - They decline Schroder's option freeing up almost $28M (but he ain't mad after earning $50M over 2 years) - Core of Giddey, Maledon, SGA, Hield (whose salary is actually de-escalating), Bazley, Pokusveski, Sims, Jones, + 1st round picks - reminder lowest of their potentially 6 1st round picks is headed to SAC - Let's pretend the salary cap is now conservatively $126M with a luxury tax line of $155M - Thunder have about $75M in salaries with $50M in cap space (could even use some of those 1st round picks to free up more space by trading away Hield). Hield would be an expiring contract at his point. - They would be sitting pretty staring at potentially 2 star free agent players headed to their talented squad. All that AFTER acquiring Hield this year into their TPE. What could have been.... OKC is going to ALWAYS be a hard place to get free agents to sign to (likewise Utah, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit [why Kelly why!?!], Portland, Memphis, Sacramento) That being said.. not sure if all of this is completely accurate, but I used my time and resources to do some research. I had time today, -
The Thunder have far deeper problems than too many picks, if someone like Hield would excite their fan base.
Some Houston fans are excited about Kelly Oubre or Justise Winslow (myself included)... you can want someone from your hometown area to do well with your favorite team Also, how many pro basketball players do you see coming out of OK?
