Tuesday Bolts – 6.29.10

KD’s  agent on his upcoming extension talks: “Kevin expects to  have an opportunity to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder and  continue to play,” said Durant’s agent, Aaron Goodwin.  “And he fully believes that that opportunity should be a maximum  opportunity, as do I … Kevin has surely put himself in position, by  becoming a First-Team All-NBA player, by leading his team to the  playoffs and the great run that they had, to be deserving of that.”

Cole Aldrich is throwing out the first pitch Wednesday at a Twins game.

Brian Colangelo on Chris Bosh: “I think it’s likely that he will leave,” Colangelo told Prime Time Sports on the Fan 590. “The question is will he put us in a position to benefit from the sign and trade scenario that can net him the most money and us something coming back.”

Durant on John Wall coming to D.C.: “It’s gonna be big for the city,” Durant told me just before the NBA draft began last week. “Everybody’s expecting him to come in and be that guy. They’re waiting for him in D.C. I’m sure he’ll love it out there. I know first-hand how the fans are and how the city is, and I’m sure he’ll have a great time and be a great player out there…. “No,” Durant answered, when I asked if he’s ever thought about coming home. “I mean, I’m just worried about Oklahoma City. I never envision myself playing at home, but you never know what’ll happen. But I’m happy I’m in Oklahoma City, if that’s what you’re asking.”

The Orlando Summer League will be broadcast in full on NBATV. OKC’s first game is July 5.

LEBRON LEBRON LEBRON: “Sources close to the situation said Monday night that three of the biggest names in basketball — Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James — met over the weekend in Miami to seriously discuss their futures, with a focus on the increasingly plausible possibility of those three teaming up with Wade’s Heat. Yet sources with knowledge of the meeting stressed to ESPN.com that James, while clearly intrigued by the possibility of forming a star-studded Miami trio with Wade and Bosh, has not yet committed to leaving his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers for South Beach.”

Kelly Dwyer handed OKC an A for the draft: “Nice to see the Thunder cashing in on their assets for Aldrich, who appears ready to contribute if he can keep his fouls to under 7.9 per 36 minutes. The team grabbed a future first-rounder from the Clippers, which could either be brilliant or terrible (actually guessing the latter), and Tibor Pleiss appears ready to give B.J. Mullens a walk for his money. Reid’s a strange pick, but defense will always win out, and Williams was fantastic in the D-League last year.”

David Thorpe gives us his early Rookie Watch. Cole Aldrich didn’t make the list.

Inside Hoops looks at potential impact rookies: “Center Cole Aldrich has a shot at getting noticed in Oklahoma City. The Thunder are decent at the center spot but if Aldrich is as defensively-minded as he told InsideHoops.com the day before the draft, he could earn plenty of minutes.”

Kurt Helin of NBC gives OKC an A for the draft: “They get Cole Aldrich to give them some muscle in the middle. Then general manager Sam Presti did what he does and got a bunch of athletes who can have some impact. This is why the Thunder are up and coming.”