OKC Thunder In the news: warm welcomes and sad farewells

Welcome to OKC Thunder in the news for Sunday September 24, with this edition featuring warm welcomes and sad farewells.

Just as teams are arriving for Media Day and training camp Sam Presti pulled out his magician hat yet again in another coup for the OKC Thunder.

Unfortunately, when you land a player of Carmelo Anthony’s ilk, it’s going to cost something in return. To that end, today’s in the news is focused on the trade which brings Melo to OKC.

However, coupled with the warm welcome is a sad farewell to a player who embraced the team and epitomized the warmth of Oklahoma City.

TI dives into what was an extremely busy day for the OKC Thunder rivaling the opening day of free agency.

OKC Thunder added to Anthony short list:

As teams prepare for Media Day and the start of training camps, Carmelo Anthony upped the pressure on the Knicks to move him. To offset his request, Anthony expanded his potential desired landing spots from one team (Houston Rockets) to three. The two additions included a previous suitor (Cleveland Cavaliers) and the OKC Thunder.

From the time the list was extended it took a few hours to make the deal a reality. As per David Aldridge of NBA.com OKC had a major advantage given their assets were more appealing to the Knicks.

"The Cavaliers were interested in an Anthony deal earlier in the summer, but talk around them had cooled in recent weeks. The Knicks were not interested in taking back Kevin Love as a potential centerpiece in a deal, and the Cavaliers were not willing to put center Tristan Thompson — someone New York would want — in trade discussions. Even though Thompson has three years and more than $52 million left on his contract, his defense and rebounding would be enticing for the Knicks."

As for the Rockets, it was common knowledge Ryan Anderson was the trade chip which again Aldridge explained why he was not the ideal asset.

"The Knicks have not had any interest in a potential trade with Houston, which has centered its trade discussions with New York on the Knicks taking back forward Ryan Anderson, who has three years and $60 million remaining on his deal. Nor has New York been interested in potential three-team deals involving the Rockets that Houston has initiated."

Carmelo trade to OKC Thunder occurs 24 hours after news broke:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
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• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

My cohort Tony Heim covered the early Saturday morning rumblings and quick turn around of the deal in two offerings on TI.  The latter article detailed the trade.

"The Carmelo Anthony saga is finally over. And the Thunder came out on top. Woj reported last night that Melo would waive his no trade clause for three teams: the Thunder, Rockets and Cavaliers. The Knicks were never interested in Ryan Anderson and the Cavaliers assuredly didn’t offer Brooklyn’s #1 pick – once Melo asked to be moved before training camp it made the decision easy for the Knicks."

Notably in exchange for Carmelo Anthony going to the Mecca are Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and the Bulls second round pick the OKC Thunder picked up in the Cameron Payne trade.

Did Fashion Week and workouts result in recruitment time?

Just a short time ago Westbrook was in New York and on the same court working out with Anthony.  This coinciding with Fashion Week when Anthony and Westbrook also spent ample time together. Conceivably this is when the recruitment reached a fever pitch. OKC Thunder personnel indicated both Russell Westbrook and Paul George were key in Anthony’s recruitment.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYwSU0QgxiJ/

Social Media and NBA players respond:

Understandably, the trade brought about a flurry of activity on social media. Most responses applauded OKC’s efforts although there were also some response of shock. And, of course humor ruled the day with sources parodying  Melo leaving the Mecca.

Sam Presti shout out from Baron Davis:

https://twitter.com/BaronDavis/status/911642908117237760

And a bit of the obvious:

Kanter true to his team right to the end:

Thunder Nation may be delighted at the formation of a ‘Super Team’ or at least what can easily be credited as a Big Three. But, for the true OKC Thunder fans the moment is bittersweet because it comes at the cost of losing arguably their most loyal player- Enes Kanter.

https://twitter.com/Enes_Kanter/status/911670854932680710

Watching the above video it’s obvious Enes Kanter is trying to hold back his tears. Ever the OKC loyalist to the end, Kanter thanks the community. And, in true Enes fashion begs for the Thunder to beat the Warriors.

This may only go to prove how much of an impact the Durant tweets did register last week.

Keeping it real:

Fans and players constantly hear the adage “it’s a business” when trade occur. Yet, for as much as it’s a business it doesn’t deter from the fact feelings are involved. C.J. McCollum’s tweet reminds all regardless of loyalty and emotions business continues.

Oklahoma bids their adopted son farewell:

Paul George reacts:

Wondering how Paul George felt about the trade? He took little time in hitting up social media with his precise feelings on the matter.

Could there be another banana boat buddy on route to OKC?

Two weeks ago, I suggested Dwyane Wade would be the perfect compliment to this iteration of the OKC Thunder in a bench role akin to Iguodala or Ginobili.  Seeing his message to Melo and OKC gives pause as to the possibility of the Thunder having the edge to land him should a buy-out occur.

Related Article: Dwyane Wade was made for this iteration of the OKC Thunder

That wraps up OKC Thunder in the news for September 24. Media Day occurs tomorrow and training camp begins on Tuesday. Both events will be covered on TI so make sure to stop by frequently for updates. And, of course there will be ample coverage on the Carmelo Anthony arrival, as he’s expected to be available for the start of training camp.