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I have no idea what is going to happen tonight. I never do. When Sam Presti is involved, anything short of trading Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook seems to be possible. I think the reason so many Thunder fans are delusional about trading players like Byron Mullens and Nate Robinson for highly valued assets is because Presti’s pulled off exactly those type trades before. I think he’s a Jedi.
That said, there is word that the Cleveland Cavaliers are pushing to grab another first round pick, other than the third lottery one, preferably in the 20s, in exchange for their two second rounders (32 and 54) and cash.
As Darnell Mayberry pointed out, could that be something the Thunder are interested in? (Of course this is assuming that the reported Eric Maynor stuff doesn’t happen and the Thunder doesn’t have a promise to Reggie Jackson at 24. Just assume that stuff.)
Doesn’t seem like a great deal on the surface. As soon as it were announced, I’m sure there would be some groans. Give up the 24th pick for two second rounders? Boo. But in reality, it makes a solid amount of sense to trade out of the first round for OKC.
Especially if Sam Presti and company get a sense that a few players they like might fall out of the first round.
For instance, if the Thunder are going the Eurostash route, Davis Bertans will likely be available at 32. Nikola Mirotic probably won’t be, but with teams leery of his buyout, there’s a chance he slips.
Guys like Justin Harper and Tyler Honeycutt won’t be available at 32, but there’s potential that Kyle Singler could slip down that far. Same goes for Jimmy Butler, Chandler Parsons and the other swingmen the Thunder might be targeting. Maybe the Thunder don’t land their first choice, but when you’re picking in the 20s, getting the guy you really want isn’t easy. A lot has to go right.
And let’s face it — this draft pick isn’t having an impact right now. In reality, it’s a pretty inconsequential pick. Yes, if the right guy is taken there could be a lasting impact down the line. Serge Ibaka was taken by the then-Sonics at 24. Plenty of solid players have been taken at that spot or even after. But this roster is pretty structured right now. Assuming Nazr Mohammed and Daequan Cook come back, the 10-man rotation will be entirely unchanged from last season.
Maybe a Kyle Singler, a Tyler Honeycutt or someone else could beat out Cook in the rotation or make Thabo expendable. That’s a possibility, certainly.
But in trading out of the first round and likely missing out on those guys, the Thunder doesn’t have to sign their pick, meaning an all-valuable roster spot stays open. If it’s a college player, OKC can still stash him in the D-League or if it decides it really likes the player, sign him and make him the 15th man. If it’s a Euro guy, it doesn’t really matter either way.
I think this scenario isn’t necessarily likely, but it’s certainly in play. The Thunder aren’t drafting to fill some gaping need. Most everything is set up. This pick is for the future and with as hard as the Thunder scouts, if they like someone that’s going in the second round, why not move down and pick up a couple million dollars in the process?
I’m sure Clay Bennett is a fan of that idea.
What happens tonight? We’ll see (duh). I don’t see the Thunder trading Eric Maynor and honestly, I can’t see trading out of the first round happening either. At this point, both are just ideas.
@ okc baby
All it takes is one bad fall. Your a sports fan, you should know that by heart.
Whered everyone go??
When has Maynor ever been out with injury. I see us getting to the WCF/Final as well. You should 2
@ okc baby
What if Maynor gets hurt, or doesn't do as well game flow wise next season? What if there are better oppurtunities in PG's for the teams in need of one next season of Maynors game style? That's why if they want to trade to get pieces they have to do it now with Maynor who's the most expendable besides Thabo, and can get something worth of value in return.
@ okc baby
Tim Tebow... Danm i really hope we don't get Jimmer then.
Maynor does have the most value. But I think the front office is smart enough to know they could get the same next year if not more with a better draft class.
My prediction is:
Either we trade out of the first round and take Singler in the second or take Reggie Jackson at 24.
Bold Prediction: I don't want to make one because I refuse to allow Eric Maynor to be traded in my mind.
But if I had to make one, Kimba Walker falls down to the 15-20 range, and we trade Byron Mullens to Sacramento in a three team trade with Minnesota in which we give David Khan Thunder season tickets with great seats to move up to 20.
Great we got the Tim Tebow of NBA:) hahah Jimmer
@ kfmsooner
I like that trade move especially for Okur. When does his contract end? I know that if Okur is healthy and has a year left on, it'll be well worth it.
Jimmer will blow Shawn Bradley's career out of the water.
Does Ford make it to Mock 8.0? ANy takers?
@ Perkins Game Face
Chad Ford has Thompson at 7 in Mock 7.2
gr8ball83 :@ TempBoy Brandon Jimmer will go down as the best Mormon player in NBA history
Um, I'm not sold Jimmer's going to have a better career than Shawn Bradley. But even if he does, Bradley will still go down as the giantest Mormon ever.
@ gr8ball83
@ TempBoy Brandon
Scratch that, didn't realize there had been good Mormons in the NBA. I love me some Jimmer though.
TempBoy Brandon :So what’s the consensus here: if we were to get Jimmer, is that good or bad? Jimmer for Maynor straight up, who do you guys like more?
Jimmer...
2nd unit needs offense when Harden moves in to the starting lineup.
@ TempBoy Brandon
Jimmer will go down as the best Mormon player in NBA history
Charlotte's supposedly going to use the 7th pick to take Tristan Thompson. They're saying Sacto either takes Jimmer at 10 or is gonna trade it to San Antonio for Parker. SA would then take Montejunias or whatever his name is.....
So what's the consensus here: if we were to get Jimmer, is that good or bad? Jimmer for Maynor straight up, who do you guys like more?
I just noticed that Charlotte did not give up the 9 pick...so they have 7 and 9...that's a nice trade.
@bouzi4real
The Utah brass would be cruicfied if they made that deal. Trading away Jimmer for a guy that they traded for away for a ham sandwich 2 years ago. Ouch!
Good for OKC...a PR nightmare for Utah.
My bold prediction:
OKC trades NRob and Aldrich to Utah for #12 and Okur.
Get our defensive coach back from the Bulls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jra-lz9-VeY
Faried stuffing the heck out of Justin Harper. Tough guy meets soft guy. Soft guy lies on the floor for a while.
@bouzi4real
Id love to get a lottery without losing our 24, But another trigger hape pg is absolutely what we dont need
Prediction :
Maynor plus Cole traded to Utah for the 12th : select Jimmer
24th trade out to the second round for Honeycutt and Mirotic.
Perfect Okc Draft!
I'm guessing we end up with Jimmy Butler somehow. No ego, willing to put in work and effort, committed to defense, an improving jumpshot, etc. etc. Sounds perfect given our needs.
God I hope that King Buck 3way fizzles, I wnated it to be with us and teh KNicks: We get the seven, exchange it with KNicks for T Doug and the 17.
gr8ball83 :My prediction:
Sam Presti does something I don’t expect him to do.
But if I predict that does that mean I’m expecting him to do something I don’t expect? Or expecting him to do something I expect him to do?
Hehe...
@Mark!
Props for using my format. :)
Prediction: stay at 24 and take Singler.
Bolder prediction: Faried slides to 24.
Extra prediction: OKC buys the Kings second round pick and steals JaJuan Johnson who really seems like a Presti guy: smart, productive, good defender.
Prediction: Singler at 24.
Bold Prediction: Move up as far as needed to draft Klay Thompson. Trade back into 2nd round to draft Singler/Butler/Jackson.
MIL in: Jackson, Livingston, Udrih, #19 ($40.6M total contract value)
MIL out: Maggette, Salmons, #10 ($52.4M total contract value)
CHA in: Maggette, #7 ($21.2M total contract value)
CHA out: Jackson, Livingston, #19 ($26.3M total contract value)
SAC in: Salmons, #10 ($31.2M total contract value)
SAC out: Udrih, #7 ($14.3M total contract value)
Great trade for MIL in my opinion.
Royce, can You pixalate SInglers name from here on out?
I'd like to see them trade up 5 spots and take marshon brooks. that scoring in the second unit would pretty much solidify harden starting next year.
I'll predict Kyle Singler.
Truth is, I don't think we'll take him. I like the field over Singler, and I also like the chances of Presti making a move over taking Singler, but Singler is a better chance than figuring out the field.
Okay, forget it, I'm gonna man up: we make a SLIGHT trade up and nab Harper.
a good trade partner may be utah especially if they are still high on eric maynor, we could give them e maynor with nate rob and some fillers for 12 and m. okur.....just an idea
@DJ 7
I still think it's Charlotte that needs a PG the most.
@ DJ 7
Who could we possibly want bad enough to give that much up?
Okay so which top 10 pick team in need of a decent starting/good back up Point Guard would settle for Maynor, Mullens, 2012 1st round pick, and ?(Nate Rob/Cash??) for their pick.
gr8ball83 :My prediction:Sam Presti does something I don’t expect him to do.But if I predict that does that mean I’m expecting him to do something I don’t expect? Or expecting him to do something I expect him to do?
LOL Mark me down with this one!!
justin :Maybe this means we’re trading them Maynor for #10.
It looks like the Bobcats got the #7 and SAC got the #10. The rumor is CHA takes Biyombo at 7...no word (that I have found) on what they are doing with #9 yet.
Prediction: OKC trades up to select tobias harris
Bold Prediction: Trade #24 for two 2nd rounders used on nolan smith, and bojan bogdanovic, and trade eric maynor, byron mullens, and nate rob for wayne ellington and michael beasley
I'd be pretty pumped if we drafted Jimmy Butler somewhere.
I'll be disappointed if we draft Singler or Mirotic.
I don't have much faith in Honeycutt or Harper developing into a rotation player.
If we move up, I could really get behind Burks, Thompson or Hamilton and get excited about it.
I'll be confused if we draft a combo guard. I don't mind having one on the roster, but if we replace Maynor I'd rather it be for someone with 3P shooting chops.
lol @james1
we will take Singler bc McClendon went to Duke?? The majority owner, Clay Bennett, is on the Board of Regents at OU...yet we didnt take Willie Warren or Taylor Griffin (and they would have been 2nd round d league filler). I doubt Presti will be pressured to spend a 1st round pick on someone that doesnt fit because of where he went to school.
IMO Singler would be an awful pick, anything else would be better
If we stay at 24 We will select Justin Harper. But if we somehow move up without giving up the 24 pick we will select tyler honeycutt at 24 and some foreign guy with the higher pick lol
@ PNT
Mirotic won't be there. Bertans?
Maybe this means we're trading them Maynor for #10.
My prediction:
Sam Presti does something I don't expect him to do.
But if I predict that does that mean I'm expecting him to do something I don't expect? Or expecting him to do something I expect him to do?
Wait why is Sacramento doing this trade? Are they really trading #7 for #10 and swapping Udrih for Salmons? How does this make sense at all?
My prediction...
Reggie Jackson at 24 and buying a early 2nd rounder to grab Mirotic.
Jax Raging Bile Duct :Let’s go folks – let’s get your predictions in!
OKC selects Chandler Parsons with #24 pick