Breaking Down the Enes Kanter Signing

Jan 18, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Andre Roberson (21), center Steven Adams (12), forward Serge Ibaka (9) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half at Amway Center. Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic 127-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Locker Room Could Be Testy

Ah, but in the words of William Shakespeare, there’s the rub.

A lot could go wrong here if the players aren’t willing to make sacrifices necessary to the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Adams and McGary are in precarious situations where they might have to bide their time behind other players. Dion Waiters is in a contract year where he’s looking to score (in truth, Dion is always looking to score…) Trading Augustin could impact Durant.

(And before you dismiss the possibility that a role player could have an impact, you need only look to how LeBron James reacted to Miami cutting Mike Miller and trading Joel Anthony. A long run of pursuing championships, potentially destroyed by Joel. Friggin’. Anthony.)

And, of course, there’s the matter of Kanter’s huge contract, a factor that could be disruptive, as pointed out by The Oklahoman’s Darnell Mayberry:

"Because OKC did (match Portland’s offer to Kanter), it will be interesting to now watch the chain reaction. Let’s review. Durant signed a max contract with no player option when he extended his rookie contract. Westbrook sacrificed money by foregoing a larger percentage he could have earned on the extension to his rookie contract. Ibaka accepted a deal far below what would have been his market value to stay in OKC. The stars all bought in to the proverbial greater good. Now the Thunder has signed off on giving a potential sixth man the farm. How’s that going to play?"

Luckily there’s a precedent here, one that is both recent and a model of success. None other than the Golden State Warriors showed that high-paid players could accept reserve roles and still contribute to winning games (and a title). Donovan could certainly use that as a template when asking players to make the necessary sacrifices that have to be made. It’ll be why the Thunder’s new coach will be compared to the Warriors’ Steve Kerr, who was able to adjust rather easily to his first ever coaching gig.

Donovan has more experience (at least at a collegiate level) but he’ll have to figure out very quickly how to push the right buttons to get players to accept what could be huge sacrifices of playing time and, eventually, money.

Next: Will the Risk Be Worth It?