Thunder in the news: Trade talks, free agency plan
By Tony Heim
Thunder in the news provides OKC Thunder fans with a post dedicated to the daily happenings of their favorite team.
The NBA offseason is officially more interesting than the Playoffs. In the last three days we’ve had the #1 pick traded and a championship-winning GM leaving his team. What a time to be alive.
Paul George trade talks
As of now the Thunder have been left out of Paul George trade talks, and correctly so. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report put together a couple of trades for PG – only one involved a three-team deal. I don’t expect it to happen but don’t be surprised if Sam Presti sneaks in as a third team if the value is there.
"Dealing George one year away from free agency with the threat of the Lakers looming was difficult enough. Trading him now, in what amounts to a likely rental, bilks the Pacers of even more leverage.Keep this in mind as we roll through potential packages and landing spots for George. Some teams will be willing to roll the dice, whether they’re prepared to let him walk in 2018 or they believe one season is enough of time to change his mind. But as Wojnarowski relayed, “Indiana’s ability to find a trade for George elsewhere has become increasingly limited, if not crippled, because NBA teams believe that it’s George’s intention to eventually sign with the Lakers as a free agent in 2018.”Getting anything close to fair value for him is now out of the question. The Pacers can only hope to leave the bargaining table short of being fleeced for a player they should have already moved."
How the Thunder look at free agency
When Jon Hamm writes we read. This time Hamm gives us insight into Oklahoma City’s approach to the offseason, specifically the idea of bringing in a marquee free agent. Breaking news: it ain’t happening.
"Maybe Griffin’s ties to Oklahoma will mean something. It may need to in order to lure the former OCS Saint and Oklahoma Sooner away from that Podunk metropolis of Los Angeles.Still, as late as mid-October of last year, the Thunder had a path to create maximum cap space this summer without sacrificing its young core of Steven Adams, Victor Oladipo, and Andre Roberson. The plan was to forego extensions for each, but the owners and players were still working on a new collective bargaining agreement. In late October, right before the deadline for extending rookie scale contracts, teams were notified that cap holds might increase the following summer."
Josh Hart prospect review
Thunderous Intentions’ own Casimir Cuffy gives a very nice review for a potential Thunder draft pick. Hart may not be the most exciting prospect, but Cas highlights how his low-risk could be a factor in OKC selecting him.
"Josh Hart will probably never be a star in the league, but what he can be is a reliable two-guard that can contribute for a contender. As long as his three-point shot can transfer over, I see him as a Danny Green type player. Hart can be a guy that is a complimentary player surrounded by superstars.He fills multiple needs for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hart is a plus defender who can score and knock down the three-point shot with consistency. At his best, Hart can be a sixth man for this team, similar to how Dion Waiters came off the bench and contributed in the past."
Only two days until Draft night! Make sure you keep coming to Thunderous Intentions for up-to-date analysis on every move Oklahoma City even considers.