2019-20 OKC Thunder

[PhiAlpha]

With McClendon's stake up for sale and this team going to be trash, is there a chance the Thunder move back to Seattle?

Christ...no

[Teo9969]

Presti continuing to load off talent to West contenders for less than what he may be able to get elsewhere. With several young Eastern conference teams who will continue to become major players as well as a future asset depleted Western Conference, it almost looks like he is trying to flip the balance of power to the East and force major Western Conference players to go all in for 2020-2022 Finals runs before they all drop off and the pick haul becomes worth substantially more than it looks like it's worth today.

Presti does seem arrogant enough to think that if he couldn't make the long-game work out the 1st time, he can make it work out the 2nd time.

[Dob Hooligan]

I don’t see that at all

[Dob Hooligan]

Looks to me that he put together (with CP3 and current set up) a 38 to 43 win team that should be watchable and competitive, picked up 8 first round picks and got under the repeater tax

[PhiAlpha]

Presti continuing to load off talent to West contenders for less than what he may be able to get elsewhere. With several young Eastern conference teams who will continue to become major players as well as a future asset depleted Western Conference, it almost looks like he is trying to flip the balance of power to the East and force major Western Conference players to go all in for 2020-2022 Finals runs before they all drop off and the pick haul becomes worth substantially more than it looks like it's worth today.

Presti does seem arrogant enough to think that if he couldn't make the long-game work out the 1st time, he can make it work out the 2nd time.

What? He traded PG for what most analysts consider one of the biggest hauls of all time and traded Westbrook to one of the few teams willing to give up a significant amount of draft picks and Chris Paul who the team doesn’t owe anything to and may will also probably be able to offload. They weren’t going to trade Westbrook to a team he didn’t want to be traded to. The Miami trade would’ve hurt our draft pick next year and wouldn’t have been worth it without all of their young guys being included which they weren’t going to do.

[Jersey Boss]

What? He traded PG for what most analysts consider one of the biggest hauls of all time and traded Westbrook to one of the few teams willing to give up a significant amount of draft picks and Chris Paul who the team doesn’t owe anything to and may will also probably be able to offload.

This x 10

[BoulderSooner]

Presti continuing to load off talent to West contenders for less than what he may be able to get elsewhere. With several young Eastern conference teams who will continue to become major players as well as a future asset depleted Western Conference, it almost looks like he is trying to flip the balance of power to the East and force major Western Conference players to go all in for 2020-2022 Finals runs before they all drop off and the pick haul becomes worth substantially more than it looks like it's worth today.

Presti does seem arrogant enough to think that if he couldn't make the long-game work out the 1st time, he can make it work out the 2nd time.

the long game did work the first time the thunder have the 2nd most wins in the last decade ..

the long game will also work the second time

[okatty]

Zach Lowe on trade - That is fantastic return for OKC. Cannot believe the old Thunder are all gone, and that two reunite in Houston. Rockets gave up more assets than I thought anyone would, let's see if they can make it work. Russ attacking close outs, Harden getting more spot up 3s is interesting.

[jn1780]

I guess we start watching the NCAA for a few years now and hope that it was all worth it.

[Dob Hooligan]

I guess we start watching the NCAA for a few years now and hope that it was all worth it.

This ain’t gonna be no 25 win team, IMO. They’re gonna be entertaining and competitive. Think they’ll still be working in March. not so sure about April.

[PhiAlpha]

This ain’t gonna be no 25 win team, IMO. They’re gonna be entertaining and competitive. Think they’ll still be working in March. not so sure about April.

Chris Paul will be gone before the season starts. Gallinari before the trade deadline and Adams next season

[Teo9969]

Chris Paul will be gone before the season starts. Gallinari before the trade deadline and Adams next season

Thinking Paul might end up starting the season in OKC. Not many trade partners at this point and why send Paul and picks to the Heat if it chances damaging that pick. Miami might end up just wallowing for the next two years since they've failed to get any Top 15 talent since Lebron left.

[dankrutka]

Chris Paul will be gone before the season starts. Gallinari before the trade deadline and Adams next season

Yes, yes, maybe. I think there's a chance the Thunder keep Adams. He's only 25 so he can grow with a young team.

Two quick points. The notion OKC's owners would sell the team because they're below .500 for the first time in a decade is, well, ignorant. Moreover, the notion OKC fans are going to abandon the team is also silly. Have you been to other cities? It's not like OKC's games. There are tons of empty seats. Yes, there will be more empty seats, but it's fine and totally normal. But the Thunder are still the only show in town and will do find. And, guess, what low expectations can make for fun times too. Embrace the young guys. I'm excited for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He's got a lot of talent.

But, yeah, I agree. Gallo and CP3 are likely getting traded, but it may not happen until December or February. Presti wants another asset: high draft picks. And you don't get those by winning. OKC is going to try to lose games this season. It's the smart thing to do. There's no point in fighting for the 8 seed with the direction of the franchise. And I'm excited. Presti has positioned OKC for an incredible rebuild with what he's done.

[PhiAlpha]

Yes, yes, maybe. I think there's a chance the Thunder keep Adams. He's only 25 so he can grow with a young team.

Two quick points. The notion OKC's owners would sell the team because they're below .500 for the first time in a decade is, well, ignorant. Moreover, the notion OKC fans are going to abandon the team is also silly. Have you been to other cities? It's not like OKC's games. There are tons of empty seats. Yes, there will be more empty seats, but it's fine and totally normal. But the Thunder are still the only show in town and will do find. And, guess, what low expectations can make for fun times too. Embrace the young guys. I'm excited for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He's got a lot of talent.

But, yeah, I agree. Gallo and CP3 are likely getting traded, but it may not happen until December or February. Presti wants another asset: high draft picks. And you don't get those by winning. OKC is going to try to lose games this season. It's the smart thing to do. There's no point in fighting for the 8 seed with the direction of the franchise. And I'm excited. Presti has positioned OKC for an incredible rebuild with what he's done.

Exactly. It’s hilarious to hear all the chicken litttles out there right now that seriously think the team’s future here is in jeopardy because they are rebuilding for the first time since moving here.

[Teo9969]

The only reason you want to look competitive now is to enhance CP3's value for a trade. There's no reason to try and make the playoffs because we really just need some lottery picks at this point. Presti has shown a pretty good track record in the lottery but hasn't done much with picks in the 20s and beyond.

[dankrutka]

The only reason you want to look competitive now is to enhance CP3's value for a trade.

Bingo. This is why you want CP3, Gallo, Schroeder, and even Patterson to play and play well... to increase their trade value. My one concern: CP3 looked oooolllllllddddd last season. I hope he was dealing with injuries because I remember saying that he looked done as a productive player.

[BoulderSooner]

Bingo. This is why you want CP3, Gallo, Schroeder, and even Patterson to play and play well... to increase their trade value. My one concern: CP3 looked oooolllllllddddd last season. I hope he was dealing with injuries because I remember saying that he looked done as a productive player.

CP3 will likely not be on the thunder before next monday ..

[mugofbeer]

What have they accumulated? Like 15 1st Round draft picks? I do hope they look to the Nuggets as a way to build a quality, competitive team. They play the type of ball the players and the fans love and collected players to fit the style. Maybe they'll be last place this year and get the top pick!

[BlackmoreRulz]

Don't we owe our 1st round pick this year to the Sixers from the Grant trade? I know it was lottery protected, so even more reason not to make the playoffs this season.

[Quicker]

Don't we owe our 1st round pick this year to the Sixers from the Grant trade? I know it was lottery protected, so even more reason not to make the playoffs this season.

It’s top 20 protected. I’d call that a pretty safe bet.

[Laramie]

.

Farewell



Mr. Tenacity
.

[dcsooner]

.

Farewell



Mr. Tenacity
.

This one hurts. Feel like we’re a farm team for the Houston Rockets. Keep giving them great players

[PhiAlpha]

This one hurts. Feel like we’re a farm team for the Houston Rockets. Keep giving them great players

It does but it was a good return and the front office did right by Russ so it feels like a win/win. The draft picks without having to give anything up are a win. I feel like Chris Paul is a slightly more trade-able asset since the team doesn't feel like it owes him anything and he plays more like a traditional point guard. Age and health are definitely a concern but a doormat or fringe contender will be dumb or desperate enough to take him in exchange for high priced expiring contracts at minimum...which can be traded again. If we can't trade him, his more traditional style of play will make the transition and rebuilding of the team easier.

[Laramie]

It does but it was a good return and the front office did right by Russ so it feels like a win/win. The draft picks without having to give anything up are a win. I feel like Chris Paul is a slightly more trade-able asset since the team doesn't feel like it owes him anything and he plays more like a traditional point guard. Age and health are definitely a concern but a doormat or fringe contender will be dumb or desperate enough to take him in exchange for high priced expiring contracts at minimum...which can be traded again. If we can't trade him, his more traditional style of play will make the transition and rebuilding of the team easier.

Excellent point, Chris can be a great mentor for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Kentucky), a 6' 6" point guard, 21 years old. This young man has the potential to be a traditional PG who has 3 more inches than Westbrook (in height); who better to bring him along than Chris Paul.

Chris Paul played his the first years of his NBA career as a member of the New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets. Let's retire CP3 & Westbrooks' numbers in the rafters of The Peake.

[Ginkasa]

Chris Paul played his the first years of his NBA career as a member of the New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets. Let's retire CP3 & Westbrooks' numbers in the rafters of The Peake.

If CP3 ends up retiring here maybe, but most of what I'm reading is indicating that he likely won't be here even for this season.