Thursday Bolts – 8.21.14

: “Of course, it’s a gamble. Tear up a knee or bust a leg, and all of a sudden a franchise isn’t so quick to want to pay a guy $14 million a year. It’s risk/reward. The Thunder would prefer to lock up Jackson this offseason, but that’s not likely. It’s possible that Jackson plays for a contract in each of the next two seasons in Oklahoma City, which generally motivates a guy rather well, although if Jackson already wasn’t given his full focus and energy, Presti misread that DNA.”

Matt Moore of CBSSports.com on Jackson: “Jackson honestly might have more value on the trade market, which might provide the Thunder an opportunity to bring in some quality depth along with a viable two-guard. Jackson’s proven he can be a legitimate starting point guard, and if a team believes in his long-term development, they might be willing to give up short-term assets for him. The Thunder have been exceptionally patient with their approach to team-building, but looking to extend Jackson long-term, at a position they already have a top-ten player at, might be too far. The Thunder have some time, though. Jackson’s set to be a restricted free agent next summer, at which point if the Thunder need to, they can match any offer for him, or hope that threat drowns the offers for him, as it has with Eric Bledsoe and the Suns.”

Kevin Durant standing next to a baby.

Bradford Doolittle of ESPN Insider projecting top small forwards: “After leading the league in WARP for the first time and ending James’ reign as league MVP, there is but one box left unchecked on Durant’s résumé: an NBA title. During the regular season, Durant was as good as ever, posting the best winning percentage and WARP of his career on the strength of ever-sharpening passing skills. Consider this: Durant’s assist rate was exactly the same in each of his first three seasons, at 3.2 percent. It has been on the climb since, and last season was double his 2012-13 rate (6.4 percent). He did this while cutting his turnover rate from the previous two seasons. Durant is one of the most valuable players in the game, and he’s just entering his prime.”

Under Armour is reportedly throwing big money at Durant.

KD says Steph Curry is terrible in 2K.

William Lou of The Score on Durant’s scoring: “Durant has led the league in total points scored for each of the past five seasons, racking up more than 11,000 regular-season points and an additional 2,109 in the playoffs. His per-game average over that time is 29.3, and is shooting 38.1 per cent from deep as well as 48.9 per cent overall. Most impressively, Durant couples raw scoring with near league-leading efficiency. By true-shooting percentage (a composite shooting efficiency metric that factors in three-pointers and free-throws), Durant’s mark of 61.7 per cent over the past five seasons puts him in a class with the likes of LeBron James.”