Ronnie Brewer traded to the OKC Thunder

[KG215]

Brewer isn't an NBA player anymore. He was a defensive energy guy, and now he's lost his athleticism. Every minute he plays, the Thunder get worse. It's like the Thunder are trying to make winning the title more difficult with every move they make.

You're right. That 2014 2nd rounder they gave up was the key to them winning it all this year or next year. Trading away their 3rd string PG who only got minutes in mop-up duty really hurts their title chances.

[bdreason]

You're right. That 2014 2nd rounder they gave up was the key to them winning it all this year or next year. Trading away their 3rd string PG who only got minutes in mop-up duty really hurts their title chances.

Keeping Harden was the key to them winning titles. Doesn't mean they should continue to make bad moves. At this point it's Westbrick and Durant or bust... because it's obvious OKC isn't willing to spend to add more pieces.

The Heat are going to have the same decision in a year, when they start getting hit with the repeater tax. Does the owner risks profits to add the needed pieces to win a championship? Or does he strip the roster and hope the Big 3 can get it done alone?


Memphis had the same decision this year, and they decided to avoid the luxury while trading away any chance they had at a title. For me, it's actually sad to see small market teams break up possible contenders for money reasons. The new CBA really hasn't increased parity, it's just insured profitability for small markets because teams like the Lakers are going to have to pay $85 million in luxury taxes.

[DuMa]

they still dont have that front court personnel to give heat problems in the finals. major fail

[KG215]

Keeping Harden was the key to them winning titles. Doesn't mean they should continue to make bad moves. At this point it's Westbrick and Durant or bust... because it's obvious OKC isn't willing to spend to add more pieces.

It's obvious? How is it obvious? Because they didn't make some blockbuster trade to add a low post scoring threat? You do realize the biggest trade of the day was J.J. Redick going to the Bucks, right?

For the umpteen thousandth time....the OKC ownership group was willing to take the big tax hit to keep Harden, Presti wasn't. Not because he's cheap or not willing to spend the money, but because he's preached sustaining longterm success. Had they kept Harden, they'd basically have all of their cap room tied up in 4 players for the next 3-4 years. That means you're rotating different vets for the minimum, rookies, and other 2nd or 3rd year players not good enough to stick on their original team. Yes, in the short team it looks like OKC got worse, but in the long term who knows? It's still too early to tell. Presti felt not offering Harden more money and keeping him gave them a better chance to add more depth and improve their roster and afford them a better chance of sustaining longterm success. Not because he's cheap or unwilling to spend money.

[KG215]

they still dont have that front court personnel to give heat problems in the finals. major fail

What the hell were they supposed to do? Give up all their assets for someone who may just be a 4-5 month rental?

[Droid101]

Presti felt not offering Harden more money and keeping him gave them a better chance to add more depth and improve their roster and afford them a better chance of sustaining longterm success. Not because he's cheap or unwilling to spend money.

Except that's not really the case. Because they are signing Ibaka for pretty big money, they still don't have flexibility to bring in anyone of note.

If they kept Harden and Ibaka (putting them way into luxury tax territory) they'd be a force for 3+ years. Nobody in the West could stop them.

They decided money was more important. End of story.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/...arden-disaster

Thank God they traded Harden. He scared the hell out of me. We couldn't stop him from getting to the rim. We can beat them now.

Anytime a trade inspires celebrations from your biggest rival, that's never a good thing … right? That's why I thought Oklahoma City should have rolled the Harden dilemma over to the following summer, waited for someone else's four-year, $60 million restricted offer, matched it, then either traded Serge Ibaka (getting paid like an All-Star when he's not there yet) or amnestied the overpriced Perkins (who simply can't stay healthy).

[Clifton]

Keeping Harden was the key to them winning titles.

What the heck?

When has a guy like Harden EVER been essential to winning a title? He's a ball-dominant scorer-creator and nothing else on a team built around two other guys who are also ball-dominant scorer-creators, and who are better than him.

Remember the Finals? How often he got the ball?

There was no room for him on this team. They got rid of him and there they are, not one bit worse, for all to see.