Thursday Bolts – 7.18.13

The amnesty window has closed for this season. Only 11 players are eligible to use it next season, three on the Thunder — Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Kendrick Perkins. Thabo Sefolosha was eligible, but since he’s on an expiring, using the amnesty on him is moot. Gut feeling: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook aren’t going to be amnestied.

Interesting thing here: The Cavs reportedly were interested in putting in an amnesty bid for Mike Miller. But then a few hours later, word came out that Miller might be considering back surgery. I don’t think it takes much to read between the lines there. Especially because Miller just said he feels really healthy. Miller wants to clear waivers so he has his choice of team. He wants a contender. And one of those teams definitely to be interested would be the Thunder. He clears at 4 p.m. CT tonight. Something to watch.

Daily Thunder is nominated for best OKC website. Go vote for it!

Former Thunder great Byron Mullens got himself a new deal.

Bradford Doolittle of ESPN Insider on holes: “The key to the group is Jeremy Lamb, who inherits the off-the-bench scoring role that’s been held by James Harden and Martin. Those are tough acts to follow for a player who hasn’t seen much regular-season action in the NBA, and it’s an awfully big role to play. Lamb flashed explosive scoring ability during the Orlando Summer League, but that’s summer league. Overall, I have the Thunder second unit at just 0.3 WARP and the overall reserve contingent ranked 29th in the league. That might be underrating the bunch, but there is no doubt that the bench is longer on potential than track record. This could depress Oklahoma City’s regular-season win total, which could mean a plummeting seed in what figures to be a four- or five-team race for the home-court slots in the Western Conference. The Thunder have a tough financial picture, but I’d feel a lot better about the team if a proven bench scorer could be brought in, with San Antonio Spurs restricted free agent Gary Neal an example of one player who makes sense.”

OKC’s losing a scout to the Wizards.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com says the Lakers want Bron and Melo: “James likely will not seriously look at his choices until the end of next season. At that time, he is expected to use the same guiding principles as he did back in 2010: the talent on the prospective rosters and the chances they can lead to multiple chances at championships. Three years ago, teams chasing James like the New York Knicks and the then-New Jersey Nets were pitching the idea of pairing him with a second star. The Heat ultimately won James’ services largely because they were the only team able to put him next to two stars in Wade and Bosh. James likely would be looking for a similar set of circumstances, which is why he’s currently happy in Miami.”

Jay Pharoah impersonated Jay-Z at the ESPYs last night and made jokes about KD and OKC.