Daily Thunder.com OKC the ‘most likely’ landing spot for Hasheem Thabeet?

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First the Perry Jones “gamble,” now Hasheem Thabeet? Source says Oklahoma City is the most likely landing spot for the 7-3 center who was taken No. 2 by Memphis in 2009 and will be playing for his fourth team (assuming he doesn’t sign with Portland, Houston or the Griz).

Thabeet is an unrestricted free agent and likely wouldn’t command much of a deal. The Thunder have always been interested in taking a flyer on Thabeet, even coming close to working a deal for him a couple years ago while he was still in Memphis. The Thunder feel strongly that put in their program, Thabeet still has the tools to develop into something worthwhile.

There’s something to be said for a 7-3 guy that was taken second overall, especially when you’re talking a minimum level kind of contract for him likely to just practice and work. And in the Thunder culture based around development and growth, maybe Thabeet could finally realize a little of that talent he has. People are the league have told me that Thabeet isn’t a knucklehead. He just hasn’t had the kind of work ethic necessary to make it in the NBA.

It’s a very low risk, high reward kind of move. Thabeet wouldn’t cost much, and with veteran Nazr Mohammed a free agent, OKC either needs to re-sign him or will be in the market for a new backup, or third string big, assuming Cole Aldrich steps into the rotation.

Consider this too: A veteran minimum salary for Nazr Mohammed would be about $1.4M and he might not even take a minimum. OKC can likely sign Thabeet for less than that. A minimum salary for Thabeet would be about $1 million a year.

Obviously with every penny spent, everyone wonders how this might impact the future of the roster, but you have to fill out a team. You have to make sure you have the right players to put on the floor. And again, the major salary concerns don’t necessarily hit until next season.

If Aldrich is truly ready to become OKC’s backup center — and I think he is — then the Thunder need a third big. It could be Mohammed, who likely would be fine remaining in OKC, but Thabeet is opportunity to take a shot at developing something for the future. Plus, probably cheaper.

ThunderBelize

*crickets*

So... if Howard wants to go to the Nets, who can the Nets send back to Orlando in exchange? Lopez and Humphries? Draft pics? Cash?

Is the trade a sign and trade? Does Brooklyn want to have Howard for 1 year and go through the drama that they are dealing with Williams right now?

Jooseppi

@ThunderBelize They can do sign and trades, but that's about it. That''s been a major part of the issue the past 8 months: the Nets don't have a lot of assets.

Jooseppi

@ThunderBelize You can only trade so many first round picks, and Orlando's not going to be crazy about first round picks from a team with Deron and Dwight on it.

Their best offer right now is sign-and-trades for Humphries, Green and Lopez, MarShon Brooks on his rookie contract and some likely bad first round picks.

TaoMaas

1 Like

@ThunderBelize I kinda expect Orlando to trade Howard to wherever they can get the best deal, regardless of whether it's somewhere Dwight wants to go. He doesn't care about the Magic, so why should the Magic care about him? I think it'll end up with some scenario like Dwight being a Charlotte Bobcat and the Magic ending up with Bradley Beal + picks. This is not going to turn out the way Dwight thinks it will.

supreme35

@TaoMaas @ThunderBelize But Dwight playing with the Bobcats would be funny.

Stephen Jackson is not about this spelling

2 Like

@FF_pickups @supreme35 *a healthy MOTIVATED Dwight Howard

FF_pickups

1 Like

@supreme35

A healthy Dwight Howard makes Charlotte a 45 win team. He's that good.

f5alcon

@TaoMaas well he can play one season then be a UFA and go where he wants, not that any of the teams he wants will have cap space in 2 years for him.

f5alcon

@ThunderBelize @TaoMaas he doesnt have a no trade clause, only kobe and dirk do I believe.

ThunderBelize

@Jooseppi @TaoMaas @f5alcon I guess the question then becomes is there any other team that Howard would sign with after this year.

Is Amnestying Howard an option? Hmm no Arenas I think got that didn't he?

What other teams have acceptable players (bigs preferably) to interest Orlando?

Pau Gasol?

Brook Lopez?

Luis Scola?

f5alcon

@TaoMaas i agree they should do that, but i dont think he will be unhappy for 1 year, he will just be patient

Jooseppi

@ThunderBelize @TaoMaas @f5alcon Dirk might have one.

Jooseppi

1 Like

@ThunderBelize @TaoMaas @f5alcon Howard does not have a no trade and isn't eligible for one. Kobe I believe is the only one in the NBA.

ThunderBelize

@TaoMaas @f5alcon What say does howard have in a trade? Do we know if he has a no trade clause? If not then I suspect there will need to be several teams involved regardless of what team he goes to...

Pesonally, for a guy I grew to like and hold in high regard as a person he has done a damn good job of trashing that reputation.

anyone familiar with Eric Lindros from the NHL (circa early 90's)... yeah Howard is reaching that level of despicable.

TaoMaas

@f5alcon True, but unless he has a "no trade" clause in his contract, the Magic can trade him to wherever they want before that time...which is what I think they'll do. Dwight's only recourse will be to pout and refuse to play (which will make him the most hated player in the NBA) or to accept his role for the duration of the year and make the best of it.

Lost Ones

marshon they can send him as well.

see-mittens

@ThunderBelize For their sake, hopefully Orlando wants Wallace because that is a terribly limiting contract for them.

1232 comments

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HookemKD

LA might as well forfeit every game against the Thunder if Thabeet and Ibaka are on the floor together.

docbndgrl9113

I personally think that Scott Brooks has a lot of potential, but at the same time, I don't think that he'll be considered as one of the greatest coaches ever, even if the Thunder win multiple championships.

I think most agree that Scott Brooks isn't an elite playoff coach. I think most agree that he is elite at cultivating talent. He just got a massive contract and if Brooks is worth that money, he had better be able to turn Thabeet into a productive NBA player.

@FF_pickups cultivating talent? We've seen offseason growth from our 4 young guys who had worlds to learn and grow. We've seen terrible growth from basically every "big" we've had.

Byron Mullens, DJ White, Aldrich, Jeff Green. None of these guys grew at any sort of reasonable pace. Most weren't/ havent been given a chance to learn by scott. If you are expecting any growth or development from PJIII and Thabeet you better pray that Ibaka is a good mentor/teacher. They won't get it from the coaching staff.

@cemitten

Brooks has done a great job developing the talent. 3 out of 4 high draft picks (KD, Green, RW and JH) have turned into home runs. 1 out of 4 low (Byron Mullens, DJ White, Aldrich, Ibaka) picks have turned into home runs (and I still am holding out high hopes for Aldrich). Those are phenomenal success rates for player development.

@FF_pickups what about everyone else. Thabo, Nick, Perk, Cook... If they've been in the league for greater than three years is it unfair to expect growth? Thabo had a better year this year, but I consider it a return to his Chicago days. Perk has probably regressed, but that might be health. Nick is my dream for future coach so obviously he's stayed consistent. Maybe, I argued myself out of my own point?

Grolgar

@cemitten @FF_pickups Convenient you left out Ibaka, who has shown growth from when he was thrown into the NBA very early. Some of those bigs didn't have the tools in the first place... And he gets no credit for guards. It seems like you use information to make your predetermined point. Not actually evaluate the situation intelligently.

I am not trying to convince you that Brooks is going to win us championships but I am pretty convinced that with Brooks, we'll always be good. Basically, he can build the fastest car in the world but he can't drive for s***

@cemitten I think the answer is somewhere in between. I think Brooks has some problems with Xs and Os and lineup management, but I also think he has shown improvement. A lot of what he does well to develop is not easy to quantify. I think his stability, ability to relate to players, and such have helped foster the Thunder culture... And, more than anthing, his results have been impressive. In the end, he deserved to be extended, but he needs to continue improving. I hope he will...

I'm also homer enough to happily accept any argument that makes it seem like Brooks is a good coach and the best option for this team. More than anything I want the team to win. If I come away from this discussion further convinced of Brooks ability, I will be elated.

I'll preface all my arguments by admitting I do not know enough about the roles of coaches on teams. Maybe, the lack of big man development is due to physical tools, maybe its Mark Bryants fault. I'm just talking out of my ass based on some of what I've witnessed over the last few years.

I included ibaka in the four young guys. Outside of KD Russ Harden and Ibaka has anyone on this team improved in their time on it?

@FF_pickups Just because you're great at cultivating talent does not mean you can turn anyone into a productive player. The organization is considering taking a chance on Thabeet, but they know it might not work. And that's fine if he's on a low contract. Brooks is not an elite playoff coach, but he has improved. We'll see...

@Grolgar

So if he's not an elite playoff coach and he's not able to cultivate talent, then resigning him was a big mistake.

T-Fred

Happy 4th anniversary to OKC thunder today is the day when the team move from Seattle to OKC

bsdpm

ESPN has a rumor headline that the Bulls may buyout Kyle Korver's contract to avoid the luxury tax. That seems like a better pick up than Thabeet.

@bsdpm Yes, but not as cheap. We can't add big contracts. So, it's probably not as good for the Thunder. (Unless we can get rid of a few guys to make up for the salary difference).

@Grolgar @bsdpm

He was only making 5 million, but i don't know the length of the contract. That is not much more than Cook, but he has a career 41-42% 3 point average.

@bsdpm @Grolgar

His last contract was 3 years, 2 guaranteed at 5 m/yr. For the Thunder, that would be pretty unrealistic at this time. But he is way better than Cook.

@bsdpm Yeah, but we'd have Cook AND his contract. If we can get rid of Cook and Hayward then maybe we can talk, but you're just adding him on top of other contracts.

alkhdsvlkhadhsgkagdsd rageface.

people in my office are raving about resigning brooks.

@cemitten Balance their optimism with the ridiculous negativity towards Brooks and you'll find a middle ground that is more reasonable.

ILikePancakes

https://sandrarose.com/2012/07/does-lebron-james-have-a-secret-love-child/

LeBron dun goofed

MD4Okc

@ILikePancakes If this is true, he DEFINITELY has a type. These women could be twins!

diddoff

Uncle Jeff about to get 9 million per year. Quite a bit.

[censored]

@diddoff How long of a contract? That's around what I expected he'd get before taking a year off of basketball.

MJOKC

@justin_mia @diddoff You expected green to get 9 mil per? He's not worth that, especially after his injury / break from basketball.

@MisterJohnsonOKC @diddoff I think that was his value around the league, yes. Look at what kind of dough Nic Batum is seeing. Green's on that same level more or less.

@diddoff He sucks, a poor man's Danny Granger without the 3 point stroke.

Tronchaser

@diddoff Think he's worth it?

@Tronchaser If I'm Boston, no. He has shown nothing in those 2-3 months last year.

kgbrolic

It's still hard for me to forgive OKC for letting go of Tyson Chandler. I like Perk but Tyson would've given us Defense, Rebounds, Raw Passion, and OFFENSE

@kgbrolic It was a coin-toss when we were looking at him. I was hoping we'd pick Chandler up because I thought he turned the Hornets into contenders when they got him. But picking up a guy off injuries is always a gamble...and I think the Thunder played it safe. As it turned out, Chandler was fine. But that was no guarantee.

@kgbrolic With Chandler we probably wouldn't get Harden.

@ILikePancakes @kgbrolic We actually may have, he was sucking balls after his injury. Chances are, he may not have played much until the 2010 season.

@MisterJohnsonOKC @ILikePancakes Correction: ...basically shutting down Dwight Howard in their playoff series matchup in 2009...

@MisterJohnsonOKC @ILikePancakes Sucking balls means basically shutting down Dwight Howard in 2009 and being a major force behind Dallas winning the whole enchilada in 2010??? You kidding me or what? No matter how you put it, Tyson Chandler on OKC would've been a major force to be reckoned with. More so than our team now.

@kgbrolic Chandler in 2009 is not the same version like in 2011. He was often injured and played poorly in Charlotte. When he came to the Mavs the fans were mad because they thought he would be as bad as Haywood. Carlisle and their winner mentality were the reasons he could reach his potential.

If you want to think that a poor team like the 09 Thunder and an unexperienced coach like Brooks would have developed him the same way, then fine: be mad

Crow

@diddoff @kgbrolic "Chandler in 2009 is not the same version like in 2011." True in 2009, but Chandler in 2004-2008 was generally pretty good, well above average for centers.

@diddoff OKC's coaches know how to turn raw talent into gold. Case in point - Serge Ibaka, 2009.

I would like for you to examine Chandler's role in NY. Their coaching staff might be laughable at best. Look...He is Defensive Player of the Year. Imagine the Defensive Player of the Year in Tyson, and runner-up in Serge on the floor at the same time?!?

Furthermore, Tyson can run the floor and he is more dynamic than Perk. I believe Perk has been battling injury since we acquired him...so the comment about Tyson's injury is somewhat null and void. I still like Perk though :/

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NBA Free Agency Rumors: Hasheem Thabeet To Thunder Should Not Excite Anyone | Kansas City MO DIRECTV Service says:

July 3, 2012 at 1:59 pm

[...] It’s easy for the new fan base to get swept up in the possibilities that a still young 7-3 player can offer a team. Thabeet didn’t play organized basketball until well into his teen years. The height and defensive skills are definitely present. Perhaps just some time with a team is all that’s needed. That sort of measured approach is what Royce Young has taken over at Daily Thunder when he writes: [...]

OKC the ‘most likely’ landing spot for Hasheem Thabeet?

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