OKC dun goofin if they don't make a trade

[Connor B]

They need to add another piece using some of the picks they have and/or maybe Perkins depending on you want to get back. They shouldn't trade any of their young prospects (maybe Perry Jones, but definitely not Lamb and probably not Adams) for either Afflalo or one of the bros they got on Philly. They need to put themselves in the best position to win. Why wait? 2014 could easily be their year.

[MichaelCorleone]

Not stacked enough eh....:facepalm

[JohnFreeman]

If OKC doesn't get another piece, they are f*cked in the playoffs

[Spokelahoma]

they have the best record in the league, along with the #1 or #2 best player in the league, depending on who you ask. they also have a really solid bench, and are about to get back a borderline top 5 player back. they're fine

[maybeshewill13]

they have the best record in the league, along with the #1 or #2 best player in the league, depending on who you ask. they also have a really solid bench, and are about to get back a borderline top 5 player back. they're fine
This. Sure we can get better, but this team as currently constructed can definitely win the chip this year. There'll 100% be team shakeups in the off-season. Thabo will be going, that's a guarantee.

[MichaelCorleone]

This. Sure we can get better, but this team as currently constructed can definitely win the chip this year. There'll 100% be team shakeups in the off-season. Thabo will be going, that's a guarantee.
Will bump after June.

[Spokelahoma]

Will bump after June.

he said "can" and yes okc definitely "can" win the title this year

[maybeshewill13]

Will bump after June.
Idiot :facepalm

[SHABBA]

I have them as 2nd or 3rd favourites for the title this season. They do need Sefolosha/Perkins replacements sooner rather than later but I don't think they will make the moves now. They have a good chance at winning a championship over the next couple of years anyway.

[pegasus]

They seem to be loaded with talent but who knows how those youngsters (Jackson, Lamb, Adams, PJ) will perform in the playoffs, let alone in the Finals. And two of their starters, Sefolosha and Perkins, are allergic to offense, so they could very well end up depending on KD and WB to bail them out game after game, and that usually doesn't last through mid June unless you have Ray Allen.

[chocolatethunder]

It's funny but the last trade they made, Presti got crucified for making it and everyone said it was an awful deal. Doesn't look like an awful deal now though.

[JohnFreeman]

It's funny but the last trade they made, Presti got crucified for making it and everyone said it was an awful deal. Doesn't look like an awful deal now though.
Well they made the finals with Harden, not this squad. We will see.

[DMAVS41]

It's funny but the last trade they made, Presti got crucified for making it and everyone said it was an awful deal. Doesn't look like an awful deal now though.

So what? I liked the deal...and it made perfect sense.

But not making a deal right now with that Dallas pick and Thabo's expiring contract and a young talented player like Jones...and potentially Roberson as well...would be stupid imo.

But to sit on this team...with WB facing health concerns...with the kind of trade assets they have. I just don't get it. They can make a real trade and become clear favorites to win it. I'm not talking adding a guy like Dunleavy. I'm talking about going after Afflalo...or potentially a big...something.

Presti can't just keep one foot in and one foot out. Sometimes you need to go all in to try and win the title over a 2 year period. And that is what the Thunder need to do right now. Yes, a guy like Perry Jones might be really good down the road, and yes, the Dallas pick could turn into something good down the road. But is that worth losing the title this year????

If they make the right move...they go from one of the teams in contention...to the clear cut best team.

[VIntageNOvel]

So what? I liked the deal...and it made perfect sense.

But not making a deal right now with that Dallas pick and Thabo's expiring contract and a young talented player like Jones...and potentially Roberson as well...would be stupid imo.

But to sit on this team...with WB facing health concerns...with the kind of trade assets they have. I just don't get it. They can make a real trade and become clear favorites to win it. I'm not talking adding a guy like Dunleavy. I'm talking about going after Afflalo...or potentially a big...something.

Presti can't just keep one foot in and one foot out. Sometimes you need to go all in to try and win the title over a 2 year period. And that is what the Thunder need to do right now. Yes, a guy like Perry Jones might be really good down the road, and yes, the Dallas pick could turn into something good down the road. But is that worth losing the title this year????

If they make the right move...they go from one of the teams in contention...to the clear cut best team.

i dont like the harden trade, and have already argue with you several times before, but i completely agree with the rest of your post

this year maybe their best chance to win, threepeat is always the hardest, i know they are young, but who know what riley will do this off season

[DMAVS41]

i dont like the harden trade, and have already argue with you several times before, but i completely agree with the rest of your post

this year maybe their best chance to win, threepeat is always the hardest, i know they are young, but who know what riley will do this off season

yea. you can't just let seasons go by without really going for the title.

again, the Thunder are so good that if they added Afflalo...and WB got hurt and missed the playoffs...they could still win. It would be a real chance. I just don't think you can give that up in order to essentially hold onto a mid first round draft pick and Perry Jones or something.

I know we disagree about the Harden trade, but it is at play a bit here because they have 3 assets they wouldn't really have without the trade in Jackson, Lamb, and Adams. I say "really" because they would have had Jackson, but he wouldn't have played or developed.

So the point is that the future is set for them...they have WB, Ibaka, and Durant locked up...and then a promising young core of supporting players already on the team. So they don't need to worry so much about the future...it's already golden assuming health.

The real worry should be letting this year pass without making the team the best it can be to win a title.

Because if Presti is going to look to the future so often...then he should just trade Westbrook.

Nelson, Afflalo, Vucevic, and the Magic's first round pick this year for Westbrook and the Dallas pick

I'd rather have Presti do something like that than do nothing. And honestly...the Thunder would be better this year.

Jackson/Nelson
Afflalo/Thabo/Lamb
Durant/Jones
Ibaka/Collison
Vucevic/Adams/Perkins

Then next year Thabo is gone and Lamb takes on more responsibility at the 2 and 3. As does Perry Jones.

Perkins is relegated to 3rd string behind Adams and Vucevic...and then his contract finally expires after next season.

Oh...and the Thunder get a likely top 5 pick in this summers draft to incorporate as well.

The Magic do it because Nelson and Afflalo are gone anyway...so they are really just trading Vucevic and a top 5 pick for WB and a top 20 pick. Which they should jump at...as they would be lucky to get a player in this upcoming draft maybe 75% as good as WB is. Maybe the Thunder throw in Roberson and or Jones or something, but that doesn't even matter.

Again...I wouldn't do something that drastic, but at least that makes sense. Standing pat and doing nothing and watching the Thunder lose in the WCF or Finals because they are missing something that could have easily been traded for would be a big mistake.

[JohnFreeman]

Not sure what Presti is waiting for..

[Marlo_Stanfield]

They seem to be loaded with talent but who knows how those youngsters (Jackson, Lamb, Adams, PJ) will perform in the playoffs, let alone in the Finals. And two of their starters, Sefolosha and Perkins, are allergic to offense, so they could very well end up depending on KD and WB to bail them out game after game, and that usually doesn't last through mid June unless you have Ray Allen.
http://i48.tinypic.com/29fy1p0.gif

[VIntageNOvel]

yea. you can't just let seasons go by without really going for the title.

again, the Thunder are so good that if they added Afflalo...and WB got hurt and missed the playoffs...they could still win. It would be a real chance. I just don't think you can give that up in order to essentially hold onto a mid first round draft pick and Perry Jones or something.

I know we disagree about the Harden trade, but it is at play a bit here because they have 3 assets they wouldn't really have without the trade in Jackson, Lamb, and Adams. I say "really" because they would have had Jackson, but he wouldn't have played or developed.

So the point is that the future is set for them...they have WB, Ibaka, and Durant locked up...and then a promising young core of supporting players already on the team. So they don't need to worry so much about the future...it's already golden assuming health.

The real worry should be letting this year pass without making the team the best it can be to win a title.

Because if Presti is going to look to the future so often...then he should just trade Westbrook.

Nelson, Afflalo, Vucevic, and the Magic's first round pick this year for Westbrook and the Dallas pick

I'd rather have Presti do something like that than do nothing. And honestly...the Thunder would be better this year.

Jackson/Nelson
Afflalo/Thabo/Lamb
Durant/Jones
Ibaka/Collison
Vucevic/Adams/Perkins

Then next year Thabo is gone and Lamb takes on more responsibility at the 2 and 3. As does Perry Jones.

Perkins is relegated to 3rd string behind Adams and Vucevic...and then his contract finally expires after next season.

Oh...and the Thunder get a likely top 5 pick in this summers draft to incorporate as well.

The Magic do it because Nelson and Afflalo are gone anyway...so they are really just trading Vucevic and a top 5 pick for WB and a top 20 pick. Which they should jump at...as they would be lucky to get a player in this upcoming draft maybe 75% as good as WB is. Maybe the Thunder throw in Roberson and or Jones or something, but that doesn't even matter.

Again...I wouldn't do something that drastic, but at least that makes sense. Standing pat and doing nothing and watching the Thunder lose in the WCF or Finals because they are missing something that could have easily been traded for would be a big mistake.

yes, this is the time where you go all-in
let see if presti is a good poker player or not,

jerry buss was
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxdpXJoumJo

i want thunder to go forskilled big like millsap/big al

wetsbrook to celtic
rondo and millsap/al to okc
couple boston pick, thunder pick, to bobcat/ hawk

or westbrook + pick for rubio and pekovic

[All Net]

If OKC can go out and get better they will do it.. They don't need a trade to win but it would damn sure help.

[VIntageNOvel]

If OKC can go out and get better they will do it.. They don't need a trade to win but it would damn sure help.

i will be surprised if they get pass clippers/spurs without goatbrook

hell, this year west must be one of the most stacked conference all time,
rockets, portland,gsw

even memphis may not make the playoff

[JohnFreeman]

i will be surprised if they get pass clippers/spurs without goatbrook

hell, this year west must be one of the most stacked conference all time,
rockets, portland,gsw

even memphis may not make the playoff
OKC doesn't want GSW in the first round. GSW could win that series if they are hot

[DMAVS41]

If OKC can go out and get better they will do it.. They don't need a trade to win but it would damn sure help.

They might not...we'll just see.

This honestly shouldn't be results oriented because the Thunder are not for sure winning even with a healthy WB. The West is too tough and the Pacers/Heat are too good to think that.

So not making a move to get better would just be silly at this point...even if the Thunder end up winning it.

And of course they can get better. They have young talent and a solid expiring contract in Thabo...along with a first round pick. They need to turn that into something...

Like I keep saying. As is...they have a very little chance to win it all without WB, but if you added Afflalo....they'd have a much better chance both with and without WB...so not only does it make your team better when healthy...it's an insurance policy to deal with an injury to WB

[SHABBA]

OKC will be hoping Dallas/Phoenix end up with the 8 spot for sure. They wouldn't want GSW or the Grizz.

[DMAVS41]

yes, this is the time where you go all-in
let see if presti is a good poker player or not,

jerry buss was
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxdpXJoumJo

i want thunder to go forskilled big like millsap/big al

wetsbrook to celtic
rondo and millsap/al to okc
couple boston pick, thunder pick, to bobcat/ hawk

or westbrook + pick for rubio and pekovic

Trust me...you don't want Rubio and Pek...that isn't what the Thunder need.

[Boarder Patrol]

They're already a contender and have a TON of assets to improve (Lamb, Jackson, Adams, Jones, Dallas pick, all future picks). They should really make a move to make themselves the clear favorite.

[VIntageNOvel]

Trust me...you don't want Rubio and Pek...that isn't what the Thunder need.


enlighten me :cheers:

rubio is a good defender and a great passer: durant can shoot more, he doesnt need to share it with goatbrook

pek is top center, can do everything fairly well (kinda underrated and under the radar)

but yeah they kinda need 2nd scoring punch

[DMAVS41]

enlighten me :cheers:

rubio is a good defender and a great passer: durant can shoot more, he doesnt need to share it with goatbrook

pek is top center, can do everything fairly well (kinda underrated and under the radar)

but yeah they kinda need 2nd scoring punch


Rubio can't shoot. He's probably the worst shooter in the league. That will really hurt the spacing of the Thunder.

Pek can score, but he's not a good defender. They don't need a guy that needs more touches on this team. They need guys that are good without the ball in their hands. Rubio sucks without the ball because he can't shoot...yes, he's solid defensively, but that wouldn't matter much to a team that already plays the 4th best defense in the league.

Also, Pek is on a big contract and Rubio is expiring after next year.

Just doesn't make sense to me.

If they were to trade WB...the homerun for both teams I see is Afflalo, Nelson, Vucevic, and the Magic pick for Westbrook, Perry Jones, and the Dallas pick.

Like I said...I wouldn't do that, but if you were going to trade WB...that is the deal to do. You sure up the center position and sg position...and get what is likely to be a top 5 pick.

And, at least for this year, you get a solid veteran pg that is way better than Fisher in Nelson.

[wally_world]

I really hope Presti has made a proposal to land Afflalo, and it's just the Magic holding off to see if they can get a better deal. Really makes no sense for Orlando to keep Afflalo with the way the team is headed, might as well get some cap relief and draft picks for him.

OKC doesn't need a big shakeup. The Afflalo deal is really the only feasible deal i hope they do. As much as Perk sucks, i would still keep him around unless we land that big enforcer center. Heck, i'd love to keep Thabo around too just for the team chemistry.

[Darius]

Any interest in Thabo for Jared Dudley?

Both players solid role players with disappointing seasons.

Both expiring.

Both may benefit from change of scene.

[aboss4real24]

They will lose To Portland......

[chocolatethunder]

So what? I liked the deal...and it made perfect sense.

But not making a deal right now with that Dallas pick and Thabo's expiring contract and a young talented player like Jones...and potentially Roberson as well...would be stupid imo.

But to sit on this team...with WB facing health concerns...with the kind of trade assets they have. I just don't get it. They can make a real trade and become clear favorites to win it. I'm not talking adding a guy like Dunleavy. I'm talking about going after Afflalo...or potentially a big...something.

Presti can't just keep one foot in and one foot out. Sometimes you need to go all in to try and win the title over a 2 year period. And that is what the Thunder need to do right now. Yes, a guy like Perry Jones might be really good down the road, and yes, the Dallas pick could turn into something good down the road. But is that worth losing the title this year????

If they make the right move...they go from one of the teams in contention...to the clear cut best team.
I liked that deal too. Who cares that they haven't made it back to the finals yet. People underestimate how hard it is to get to the finals. I think Presti is great and that he's going to do what he thinks is best for the franchise and I trust him.

[TMT]

If anything, OKC is the contender that is in least necessity of a trade. You can say they need to get rid of Perk but I think he will be valuable against GS, Clippers and Rockets. During the later rounds though they will have to try to work him out of the rotation. Can't make that 2012 mistake again.

[DMAVS41]

I liked that deal too. Who cares that they haven't made it back to the finals yet. People underestimate how hard it is to get to the finals. I think Presti is great and that he's going to do what he thinks is best for the franchise and I trust him.

Well, that argument doesn't even make sense against us.

The Thunder have only had 1 chance to make the finals without Harden...that was last year.

And the Thunder were the favorites to make it...and improved on both offense and defense last year without Harden.

Westbrook got hurt. So it's actually incomplete at best to this point.

This is the year if healthy. Which again is why Presti must make a real move. The team is so good that if they added someone like Afflalo...they could win it all without WB playing a minute in the playoffs. That makes making a move the right thing for sure...at worst it's an insurance policy for WB's health this year and next.

[DMAVS41]

If anything, OKC is the contender that is in least necessity of a trade. You can say they need to get rid of Perk but I think he will be valuable against GS, Clippers and Rockets. During the later rounds though they will have to try to work him out of the rotation. Can't make that 2012 mistake again.

For starters, the Harden trade just wasn't a mistake...I don't know how much more information you guys need. The Thunder have just been better without him to date.

But you can't just have one foot in and one foot out on this shit. You have to try and win it when you can without sacrificing the future completely. And Presti and the Thunder have a perfect chance to do that with the assets they'd collected.

I'll never understand the Harden stuff. Why do you people still insist that you want three ball dominant perimeter players...one of which (harden) plays awful defense?????

It's a perfect example of diminishing returns and prevents all three of them playing at their optimal level.

At this point the people hating on Presti about the Harden trade just have to admit they were wrong.

[Demitri98]

What they need is their 3rd creator. I've got them vs Pacers in the Finals. George will have to give everything he's got to contain KD, which leaves him gassed for offense. Hibbert is going to have the huge job of keeping Westbrook and KD out of the lane, which probably puts him in foul trouble.

Pacers X factors:
A. Bynum and Mahinmi (decent rim protector) being solid backups for Hibbert when he gets tired/in foul trouble
B. Having another wing who can defend KD down the stretch and give George a rest so he has energy for offense
C. George Hill + Hibbert keeping WB out of the lane

Thunder X factors:
A. Ibaka being a 3rd shot creator and being able to take stress off of KD and WB who are being filtered in to Hibbert at the rim
B. Adams + Ibaka + Perkins being able to bang on the boards with Hibbert and West
C. Lamb and Jackson being able to hit open 3's and create shots in the 2nd unit

[maybeshewill13]

What they need is their 3rd creator. I've got them vs Pacers in the Finals. George will have to give everything he's got to contain KD, which leaves him gassed for offense. Hibbert is going to have the huge job of keeping Westbrook and KD out of the lane, which probably puts him in foul trouble.

Pacers X factors:
A. Bynum and Mahinmi (decent rim protector) being solid backups for Hibbert when he gets tired/in foul trouble
B. Having another wing who can defend KD down the stretch and give George a rest so he has energy for offense
C. George Hill + Hibbert keeping WB out of the lane

Thunder X factors:
A. Ibaka being a 3rd shot creator and being able to take stress off of KD and WB who are being filtered in to Hibbert at the rim
B. Adams + Ibaka + Perkins being able to bang on the boards with Hibbert and West
C. Lamb and Jackson being able to hit open 3's and create shots in the 2nd unit

If it's Pacers vs OKC the Pacers don't stand a chance. Just a bad match up

[TiagoSimoes]

no way pacers beat the thunder, they get shit on most positions and george and hill cant guard KD and westbrook, horrible matchup for them.

miami is okc's biggest problem cuz of their small ball, which they do better than okc. i liked brook's move of taking perkins out, maybe thats the answer vs them, and okc is better than 2 years ago.

Feeling confident about ANY matchup in the west tbh

[Demitri98]

If it's Pacers vs OKC the Pacers don't stand a chance. Just a bad match up
Which is why Ive said repeatedly that this is KD's year.
MVP / Ring / FMVP