Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Christmas Round Table Part 2 – OKC Thunder dinner companion and last minute shopping

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Dec 10, 2016; Toronto, Canada; Toronto FC fans dressed in Santa Claus outfits for Christmas during the game against the Seattle Sounders during the first half in the 2016 MLS Cup at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; Toronto, Canada; Toronto FC fans dressed in Santa Claus outfits for Christmas during the game against the Seattle Sounders during the first half in the 2016 MLS Cup at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Nov 17, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) dribbles the ball around Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. The Nets won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) dribbles the ball around Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. The Nets won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

You have one more present to get before the stores close, but you’ve almost spent to your budget. Which player are you adding and why?

Note: In case it wasn’t obvious to you, our readers – many of the Thunderous Intentions team have very good senses of humor. (read: super star or players with that potential are not what the site experts had in mind by “low budget economical choices”.  Also of note, perhaps TI should shoot a copy of this over to Sam Presti as there were several TI Team member who coveted the same player or the same skill set…

Casimir Cuffy: This one is tough because I believe the team with be a bit different once Cameron Payne returns, but I think a guy like Zach Lavine could really do damage with this team. He has the size and athleticism to run with Westbrook and Oladipo. Plus, who wouldn’t love to see those three on constant fast breaks.

Jeremy Lambert: Andrew Wiggins. 😉

Chris Hughes: Looking in terms of our actual roster, someone like Otto Porter Jr. would be a good shout, I know Tony mentioned him a potential small forward the Thunder should look at a while back. But also in terms of an economical player someone like Tim Frazier of the Pelicans who we played earlier this week – he’s averaging career-high returns so far this season and could be a nice, more experienced back up for Westbrook.

Eric Snyder: Bojan Bogdanovic. If the Thunder could get someone to play in the SF spot who can shoot and put the ball in the basket, things would be very different. Bogdanovic isn’t a household name but with the Nets tanking again, getting him could be a realistic proposition.

Cole Hixon: C.J Miles. He can play both wing spots, is an efficient high volume 3pt shooter and can hold his own on defense. Exactly what the Thunder need.

Yaman Khabbaz: C.J. Miles. He’s been throwing fireballs from 3 point land, shooting at a 42.1% clip from beyond the arc. And considering how much the Thunder need a good wing scorer, he surely is one who can fill that role. He has a pretty friendly 18M/4 year contract, so the Thunder should be looking out to get him.

RELATED STORY:  A trade is coming

Tony Heim: Jae Crowder. This is a pipe dream because Boston doesn’t want to give him up, but homie is in the second-year of a 5 year/35 million dollar deal. He’s already a good three-and-d guy, and he adds a new skill every year. He’d be perfect in OKC as their starting small forward.

Rich Condon: Jae Crowder. A natural three who plays a lot of small ball four. At an average salary of 7 million a year, he’s a steal on lineup flexibility alone (just imagine teams trying to do anything offensively on Russ-Dipo-Roberson-Crowder-Adams). A capable shooter, passer, can rebound, and plays above average defense at two positions of need for the Thunder. 6.

Joshua Lea: If I could bring any player into the Thunder lineup, it would be a guy like Kyle Korver. He can hit shots and play moderate defense. More importantly, Korver has a deadly three-point shot. The Thunder desperately need a guy who is automatic from three. Korver is in the final year of his contract with Atlanta, he’d be a wise pick-up for OKC.

Tamberlyn Richardson: If injury reports are accurate Cameron Payne’s return is imminent. Payne’s name has surfaced repeatedly as possible trade bait. With that, my selection comes from a team with a glut of backcourt assets. In January sophomore Delon Wright will return to the Toronto Raptors which will over load them at the point (Kyle Lowry, Cory Joseph, Wright and Fred VanVleet).

VanVleet was picked up by the Raptors immediately after draft night and was so impressive in Summer League, Toronto signed him to their 15-man roster (the only open spot). Last week the Raptors required his services vs the Magic with Joseph flu-ridden. VanVleet answered the call with 4 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, no turnovers and had a plus differential of +19 in just under 23 minutes. Most impressively, VanVleet was on court for the entirety of the fourth quarter during which time the Raptors held the Magic to 15 points.

While Payne will address issues that occur with Westbrook on the bench VanVleet is an intriguing prospect with or without Payne. His old school qualities remind me of Jason Kidd, he’s a pass first guard who can hit from range or drive and has Lowry’s bull-dog demeanor.

 

Home/Thunder News