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OKC Thunder: Matt’s Monday Musings, Edition Three

By Matthew Hallett

Jan 16, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; OKC Thunder general manager Sam Presti watches college basketball between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Oklahoma Sooners at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; OKC Thunder general manager Sam Presti watches college basketball between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Oklahoma Sooners at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The Offseason

After last season’s off-season of uncertainty, Presti decided to lock up the players he can envision the Thunder building around. Both Adams and Oladipo were signed to long and large extensions.

Both Lauvergne and Morrow had expiring contracts this season. Lauvergne is going to be a restricted free agent. I am sure that he was going to be offered more than the Thunder would match, so they would have lost him at seasons end.

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This would have meant that Morrow, Lauvergne and Roberson would have been off contract for next season.

Now, Gibson is also on an expiring contract. The thing is the Thunder received Gibson’s Bird Rights. Now Presti has only two contracts he has to negotiate on his current team. Presti will negotiate with Roberson first to sign him for the best money possible.

Once he has finished that negotiation, he can negotiate a good contract for Gibson, knowing he can go over the salary cap thanks to the Bird Rights.

Grant has a one year team option  I am sure Presti will pick up. Unless they make a trade, they have only one roster spot to fill at seasons end. I have not forgotten about  Collison who is also off contract. The big man should be offered a job for life doing whatever he wants on the Thunder bench. I love that man, the way that he plays and the inspiration that he is.

Bottom line, the trade puts OKC in a much better position to be in than last off-season.

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