Welcome to OKC Thunder – In the news for Sunday, June 25 featuring topical daily news on your favorite team and the NBA.
You’ve heard the expression – “the calm before the storm”? Well that is the territory the NBA heads into the week. As media focuses on the draft and new players in the Association prepare to assimilate from College and International programs into their new professional digs.
Although the offseason has kicked off with a bang amid plenty of discussion regarding the draft and potential stars switching teams it’s nothing compared to the swell that is about to hit. Next Friday as the clocks strikes midnight announcing the arrival of July 1, the Free Agency moratorium begins. Until then expect to see plenty of speculation on where key free agent players will land.
Current roster players on the OKC Thunder who’ll participate are Taj Gibson, Andre Roberson, Nick Collison and Norris Cole. Only Roberson is a restricted free agent which means Sam Presti can chose to match any opposing offers.
2017 Salary Cap Lower Than Expectations:
Throughout the playoffs the league office kept issuing statements on how they were experiencing record viewership. Not to question authority, but considering the recent salary cap announcement it seems to contradict that theory. To wit, next season’s salary cap will be $2 million less per team than original projections. Obviously the TV revenues fell short of expectations. As per ESPN:
"The drop was caused by the number of playoff games being fewer than expected, as the recent postseason was dominated by lopsided series that were shorter than anticipated.The salary cap is still increasing by about $5 million from last season, but it isn’t growing as much as previously expected. At one point, the NBA forecast this season’s cap to go as high as $108 million."
The resulting effect of this news is teams are more hamstrung in contract negotiations especially for free agents. For example, the Boston Celtics were said to have plotted their plans right down to the penny. The reduction throws a wrench into their thinking. Other teams this should immediately effect are Golden State with numerous free agents to address. Andre Iguodala may not be an automatic re-sign now. Or at least retaining him might not be the cake walk it was assumed prior.
OKC Thunder sign Malcolm Hill for Orlando Summer Camp:
The Orlando Summer League also begins on July 1, with the OKC Thunder participating once more. A new face Thunder fans can expect to see participating is Malcolm Hill who OKC added to the roster shortly after the draft. Scott Richey of The News Gazette has the details:
"The Oklahoma City Thunder reciprocated those feelings, coming to an agreement with Hill shortly after the draft ended to play for their team in the Orlando Summer League after a half-dozen conversations with his representation throughout the pre-draft process.“When he worked out there, he liked the entire staff,” said Adam Pensack, Hill’s agent. “Malcolm probably watches more NBA than any other player. He knows every roster and every team and every scheme. He likes the way they play. They’ve got high character guys there. I think he felt it was a natural fit from a basketball standpoint and from an off-the-court standpoint."
Crazy Super Team Speculation:
In case you missed it our In The News column yesterday featured a story by a scribe who predicts Russell Westbrook will decline the Designated Player Exception to join forces with Paul George and LeBron James in LA with the Lakers. The problem with this thinking is – – well — everything. First of all, either George or James is on the Lakers and neither are free agents. Moreover, who can seriously believe LeBron would opt for the Lakers over the Clippers next summer?
"Obviously, the George part is a believable component since he’s made no secret LA is his desired location. Even the LeBron portion is more or less conceivable James owns a home and business in LA. Moreover he seems smitten by the acting bug and a desire to go ‘more Hollywood’. This coupled with the star’s disenchantment with Cav’s GM David Griffen being let go could provide more fuel to this fodder. But, it’s more reasonable to assume James would have a desire to join buddy Chris Paul on the Clippers assuming he returns as a free agent this summer."
That wraps up OKC Thunder In The News for Sunday June 25, enjoy the remainder of your weekend, see you back here tomorrow.