Biggest problem fir OKC is that they ain't the sexiest destination. They'll have problems signing the biggest free agents.
Not to mention no cap space to sign the biggest free agents...
It looks great right now, until you realise that this is a weak draft. When GM's are on record as saying there is no true number one pick, it's weak as fu.. well you get me. If that Toronto pick is 8th, in a normal draft that could net you a solid-good player, in this draft who knows if the 8th pick will still be in the NBA after his rookie deal.
To top that off the Thunder have 4 years of this new guy, and let's just shout out best case scenario he becomes a star. Well in 4 years time he's due for an extension, just like James Harden, and he's traded away again...
This isn't the Thunders fault, no team can afford to build a dynasty anymore with the new CBA rules. Basically you will have to have your two main guys, and fill in the role players around them with sub 10 million contracts, and vet min deals. The Heat won't be able to afford LeBron/Bosh/Wade in 2014-2015, they may very well have to amnesty Wade/Bosh if they want to keep LeBron, or restructure their deals (which is now an option, and in the case of Wade, a very viable one. Something like 5 years 8 million per could keep the core together).
This has nothing to do with Bennett being cheap like Sterling, or Sarvar. This has everything to do with Bennett not being able to afford a 150 million dollar roster in 2015.
I agree nobody is talking about how weak the draft is in terms of OKC's pick. Let's say they get the 6th pick or something right? It doesn't look like there are even 3 or 4 legit NBA starters in this draft so the odds are against them getting anybody of value. I mean they already have high upside prospects in Lamb and Jones and don't even play them so what would be different?
OKC is going to actually be forced to let Martin walk this offseason too if you go over their luxury tax figures. Unless he takes a big paycut of course.
I agree nobody is talking about how weak the draft is in terms of OKC's pick. Let's say they get the 6th pick or something right? It doesn't look like there are even 3 or 4 legit NBA starters in this draft so the odds are against them getting anybody of value. I mean they already have high upside prospects in Lamb and Jones and don't even play them so what would be different?
OKC is going to actually be forced to let Martin walk this offseason too if you go over their luxury tax figures. Unless he takes a big paycut of course.
Then explain why the Thunder got rid of Harden, a far more superior player to Kevin Martin? Cant think of anything else other than money, Bennett doesnt want to pay.
No, because you're too ignorant to understand why he did it. If you honestly think OKC's owner isn't interested in making them better, then that tells me I'd just be trying to explain myself to a moron.
Not to mention no cap space to sign the biggest free agents...
Right, because with Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka on the team for the foreseeable future, they really need to lure in a big free agent sometime soon.
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It looks great right now, until you realise that this is a weak draft. When GM's are on record as saying there is no true number one pick, it's weak as fu.. well you get me. If that Toronto pick is 8th, in a normal draft that could net you a solid-good player, in this draft who knows if the 8th pick will still be in the NBA after his rookie deal.
Again, don't they already have two superstars and a third borderline All-Star? Why do they need their potential top 5-10 pick from Toronto to be a stud? He'd never be anything more than the 4th option, at best. It's not like OKC needs some instant 12 PPG scorer. Please don't try to downplay play how valuable that draft pick is to one of the most talented teams in the league, because it's extremely valuable.
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To top that off the Thunder have 4 years of this new guy, and let's just shout out best case scenario he becomes a star. Well in 4 years time he's due for an extension, just like James Harden, and he's traded away again...
And that's a problem? Give OKC four years of a solid to really god contributor to what they already have, and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to cross that bridge when it gets here four years down the line.
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This isn't the Thunders fault, no team can afford to build a dynasty anymore with the new CBA rules. Basically you will have to have your two main guys, and fill in the role players around them with sub 10 million contracts, and vet min deals. The Heat won't be able to afford LeBron/Bosh/Wade in 2014-2015, they may very well have to amnesty Wade/Bosh if they want to keep LeBron, or restructure their deals (which is now an option, and in the case of Wade, a very viable one. Something like 5 years 8 million per could keep the core together).
I agree, it won't be easy for smaller markets to build dynasties under the new CBA but it's doable, and I think OKC is laying out the blueprint on how to do it. Granted, your draft picks essentially need to be grand slams. Oh, and if OKC isn't getting Martin for anything less than 8-10M per, no way in hell Miami is getting Wade to restructure his contract to where he's making $8M/year.
Look, I don't know if OKC will be "unbeatable" in 3 years, but some of you a really reaching trying to find reasons why they might be in trouble. When, truth is, they have an embarrassment of riches.
- Top 3 players are 24, 24, and 23 years old. One is the second best player in the world, one is a top 10-12 player in the league and becoming a perennial All-Star and All-NBAer, and the third is an All-Defense PF with elite shot blocking skills and an ever expanding offensive game.
- Three first round draft picks, one of which is going to eventually be a lottery pick.
- Three players who are either rookies or in their second season that have plenty of potential and talent. There are plenty of teams that would love to have three young developmental players like Lamb, PJ3, and Reggie Jackson. OKC has them, though, and they're the defending Western Conference champs.
I'm not trying to act like OKC is going to be good forever. I know that's not the case and all of this will come to an end eventually. It may be sooner rather than later, I don't know. But it seems like some of you are really reaching for excuses to discredit OKC's extremely bright future
People throw dynasty around way too lightly. Let's see if the Thunder can win just one ring first. When you think of dynasties you think of teams that were head and shoulders better than the rest which has never been the case for OKC. 4 other teams in the west right now could compete with OKC in a playoff series then you have Miami who seems to own them and beat them in the finals. Contender for years to come and bright future, sure.
No one even mentioned dynasty until YMF. I don't think you'll catch any reasonable OKC fans saying we're a dynasty until the team wins at least one championship, and that would need to happen in the next 2-3 years for me to feel comfortable to even entertain the thought of a possible dynasty.
Most reasonable and objective fans, though, are aware of how bright OKC's future is. Then there's others in this thread really reaching for reasons as to why it's not all that bright.
No one even mentioned dynasty until YMF. I don't think you'll catch any reasonable OKC fans saying we're a dynasty until the team wins at least one championship, and that would need to happen in the next 2-3 years for me to feel comfortable to even entertain the thought of a possible dynasty.
Most reasonable and objective fans, though, are aware of how bright OKC's future is. Then there's others in this thread really reaching for reasons as to why it's not all that bright.
Obviously OKC has a bright future. You have a superstar who's talented enough to win at least 2-3 MVP's despite Lebron being in the NBA and is the most unstoppable offensive force in the league despite only being 24 years old. That doesn't even mention the fact that Ibaka is greatly improved and Westbrook is a top 10 player. OKC will be a perennial WCF team.
Re: The Thunder will be unbeatable in 3 years
