Tuesday Bolts: 5.9.17
It’s Tuesday. These are the Bolts.
Thunder Assistant GM Troy Weaver is a leading candidate for GM hire in Atlanta: “Another executive, per league sources, poised to emerge as a candidate to lead the Hawks’ revamped front office: Oklahoma City’s Troy Weaver” – Marc Stein
Big Baby Davis predicts Blake Griffin to OKC: “Big Baby, for one, thinks that Blake Griffin is going to leave the Clippers, chiming in (in a bizarre high-pitched voice) with “Blake, he outta there” when Griffin was brought up. When asked where he thought the Clippers star was going to wind up, Big Baby didn’t skip any beats, saying “OKC.”‘
Tramel’s report card for Jerami Grant: “Grant played on the wing a lot early but became more of a hybrid power forward as the season progressed. Grant’s shot-blocking (1.8 per 36 minutes) was a bonanza to a team playing without Serge Ibaka for the first time since spring 2009. Grant’s outside shooting made him a solid stretch-four, the 3-point shooting power forward that has become the rage of the NBA.”
Big Perk says Russ & KD are back on speaking terms: “I think the night that Russ actually broke the record, I had text KD the next day. He was talking about something, and he sent me a text and was like ‘Hey, man. Me and Russ had a nice conversation.”‘
Fred Katz on Andre Roberson’s offseason: “Multiple sources tell The Transcript that Roberson turned down a four-year, $48 million contract extension offer from the Thunder just before October’s deadline for him to extend with the team. Now, he’s coming off the best season of his career, though it did end with memorably clanked free throws as part of a five-game, first-round playoff loss to Houston.”
Russell Westbrook’s new TUMI commercial had the Internet on fire yesterday.
Royce on the TUMI commercial: “The new commercial isn’t exactly subtle about Westbrook’s apparent feelings, but of course, a commercial isn’t a binding contract. He has to put his name on the dotted line if he actually wants to remain with the Thunder. But as one person close to Westbrook emphasized last summer as he pondered his options in the wake of Durant leaving, “Russell operates in the light of day; there won’t be any wondering how he’s actually feeling.”‘
Odds & Ends
Rudy Gay is opting out of the final year of his contract. Gay was set to make $14.2 million in Sacramento next season, but will test free agency just months after completely tearing his Achilles. He either (A) Thinks he can fetch a higher price, or (B) Sacramento is really that bad. Either way, Sam Presti should stay as far away as possible.
Draymond Green: Sayer of Ridiculous Things. Draymond went full Draymond yesterday, with two completely ludicrous quotes. (1) “Kelly Olynyk is a dirty player, man. He’s dirty. Dirty player, man. I don’t respect guys like that.” (2) “I thought teams would compete a little harder. I just watched San Antonio-Houston. I like to watch good basketball. When you watch Cleveland play, you’re only watching one side of the good basketball. That’s kind of weak.”
