your crazy harden wants to get paid and so does ibaka. there not going to be able to keep both. its either one of the other. a max deal for harden is 50 million over 5 years a max deal for ibaka is is 40 million. if another team is going to offer a mega deal to one of those guys why would you stay for cheaper if one of them gets hurt they will never get that deal. you better take it while you can.

... my main argument was that they can't keep Harden/Ibaka...one of them will be traded before its all said and done.

Why enjoy the moment when we can worry about the future.

Most trades happen after draft night, everybody knows this. But my main argument was that they can't keep Harden/Ibaka...one of them will be traded before its all said and done.

This is way smarter than the dumb things you said earlier in the thread. Nice backtracking...

Most trades happen after draft night, everybody knows this. But my main argument was that they can't keep Harden/Ibaka...one of them will be traded before its all said and done.While it is a possibility it can't be said unequivocally that the Thunder can't keep both. That is unless you have access to the teams books, discussions between player/agent/team, etc.. As said before Westbrook left money on the table in order to try and keep both when the time came. Perk can be on amnesty after, I believe, next season. Making it all the way to the finals, which it looks like a good possibility for the near future, makes the team a chunk of money. With just a bit of compromise by Hardin and Ibaka it is very possible the Thunder can financially keep both.

I think that it's impossible to predict what Presti will do --- ever. If you don't want to be wrong, it's best to avoid absolutes when making statements about what the Thunder will or won't do. It's fun to speculate, but that's all it is.

Not.................

I think that it's impossible to predict what Presti will do --- ever. If you don't want to be wrong, it's best to avoid absolutes when making statements about what the Thunder will or won't do. It's fun to speculate, but that's all it is.

Well, we can make educated guesses based on knowledge of the Thunder organization. That is why I was confident that Harden was not being shopped for an unproven college palyer (Beal). Ibaka would be gone first. They will try to extend Harden first, and, hopefully, he'll "scarifice" a little for the organization. If we try to sign Ibaka it probably won't be until after next season when he's a restricted free agent. That's when I think Perkins will get amnestied to create room for others.

Well, we can make educated guesses based on knowledge of the Thunder organization. That is why I was confident that Harden was not being shopped for an unproven college palyer (Beal). Ibaka would be gone first. They will try to extend Harden first, and, hopefully, he'll "scarifice" a little for the organization. If we try to sign Ibaka it probably won't be until after next season when he's a restricted free agent. That's when I think Perkins will get amnestied to create room for others.

100% disagree with you .. based on the past knowledge of the thunder organization ..... Ibaka is the guy they keep first harden second ..

that being said i think they keep both

100% disagree with you .. based on the past knowledge of the thunder organization ..... Ibaka is the guy they keep first harden second ..

that being said i think they keep both


What knowledge of the Thunder organization?

Harden is already better than Ibaka will very likely ever be. Ibaka will always be a good help defender with limited offensive skills. He has terrible hands, is a below average one-on-one defensive player, and disappears offensively for games at a time. Like most athletic bigs, he's not turning into Hakeem Olajuwon like everyone dreams. Also, there are a ton of athletic bigs. They are not hard to find. Ibaka's shot blocking is phenomenal, but it is off set when he is getting scorched one-on-one consistenly (see Dallas series last year).

On the other hand, Harden is already the 3rd best shooting guard in the game (you could argue Eric Gordon is better, but I'll take Harden behind Kobe and Wade). His offensive improvement has been amazing! He had one of the highest PERs in the league last year as a shooting guard, which is incredible. He has a lot of room for improvement in his mid-range game among other areas (e.g., defense). He is already an all star player level player at a position with very limited talent. It's very hard to find great shooting guards. He took over game 4 of the Dallas series and game 5 of the Spurs series at an elite level that Ibaka could never do.

If you want to roll the dice on Ibaka's potential ability to someday improve to Harden's proven ability then I am glad you are not the Thunder's GM. Harden will cost more, and the Thunder organization will still make him the first priority over Ibaka. Ultimately, Harden gives the Thunder a far higher chance at a championship than Ibaka and that is why they'll keep Harden. I think Harden gets a contract this summer, and they'll see what's left for Ibaka next summer.

100% disagree with you .. based on the past knowledge of the thunder organization ..... Ibaka is the guy they keep first harden second ..

that being said i think they keep both

I kind of thought this too, until I read on Dailythunder today that they are looking at Hasheem Thabeet. Along with PJ3, that's two new front court players added, if in fact it happens....that way if Ibaka walks, they're prepared.

I kind of thought this too, until I read on Dailythunder today that they are looking at Hasheem Thabeet. Along with PJ3, that's two new front court players added, if in fact it happens....that way if Ibaka walks, they're prepared.The "source" that says OKC is looking at Thabeet is probably just about as accurate as the "source" that said OKC was going to trade Hardin for the #2 draft pick. Mark my words Thabeet is not coming to the Thunder.

The "source" that says OKC is looking at Thabeet is probably just about as accurate as the "source" that said OKC was going to trade Hardin for the #2 draft pick. Mark my words Thabeet is not coming to the Thunder.

Thabeet is in OKC right now. He's very low risk because the Thunder could likely get him on a very low contract. If it doesn't work out then not much was lost.

The "source" that says OKC is looking at Thabeet is probably just about as accurate as the "source" that said OKC was going to trade Hardin for the #2 draft pick. Mark my words Thabeet is not coming to the Thunder.

Go check out Dailythunder.com, Royce is a fairly accurate source. I'm not saying Thabeet will make it, but maybe he's worth the risk as a project .

Go check out Dailythunder.com, Royce is a fairly accurate source. I'm not saying Thabeet will make it, but maybe he's worth the risk as a project .I read Royce's stuff often. He's OK but a lot of what he writes is just for something to write. A team as good as the Thunder isn't going to invest what it would take to get a player like Thabeet for a "project".

I read Royce's stuff often. He's OK but a lot of what he writes is just for something to write. A team as good as the Thunder isn't going to invest what it would take to get a player like Thabeet for a "project".

He's also accurate with most of the stuff he reports, no matter what else he writes to keep his blog busy.

Sam Amick is the one who reported it, so I'd probably try and see how reliable he is first, which I think he's fairly reliable.

I read Royce's stuff often. He's OK but a lot of what he writes is just for something to write. A team as good as the Thunder isn't going to invest what it would take to get a player like Thabeet for a "project".
I'll put more stock into the opinions and conjecture Royce offers (based on his track record) that your "informed" analysis.

I'll put more stock into the opinions and conjecture Royce offers (based on his track record) that your "informed" analysis.I never claimed to be informed. It's my opinion. Isn't that what forums are about?

I read Royce's stuff often. He's OK but a lot of what he writes is just for something to write. A team as good as the Thunder isn't going to invest what it would take to get a player like Thabeet for a "project".

It's becoming clear that you don't know much about the Thunder or the NBA. Thabeet is off his rookie contract, and will likely only be offered a minimum contract, or something very close to that. It's very low risk move for the Thunder if they see him as a player with potential. I doubt Thabeet ever amounts to much, but the Thunder might be willing to give it a shot to find a cheap big.

Then again, I'm not sure I even understand what your last sentence means.

If Thabeet plays at all, it'll be in the last few minutes of a 20+ blowout. It's not like the Thunder are bringing him in to be a 35+ minute starter.

I never claimed to be informed. It's my opinion. Isn't that what forums are about?

Everyone has an opinion, rightfully so.

It's becoming clear that you don't know much about the Thunder or the NBA. Thabeet is off his rookie contract, and will likely only be offered a minimum contract, or something very close to that. It's very low risk move for the Thunder if they see him as a player with potential. I doubt Thabeet ever amounts to much, but the Thunder might be willing to give it a shot to find a cheap big.

Then again, I'm not sure I even understand what your last sentence means.What I really meant was, at the point where the Thunder are in their roster, yhey aren't in a position to go out on too many limbs for "projects". You don't see many championship teams in any pro sport spending much time on "projects". And yes, I know there are exceptions to that rule, but it's not the rule. Also, one spot will have to be opened for PJIII. Probably Mohammed. Which other player that the Thunder have been developing to fit in with the team would you have the Thunder drop for a Thabeet who has a career 2.2 points per game average.

Big men develop slowly. We have a nice record of player development. Lazar Haywood and Derek Fisher could potentially leave. We've got Maynor coming back so we've got three point guards. I don't think giving Thabeet a chance is such a crazy idea.

100% disagree with you .. based on the past knowledge of the thunder organization ..... Ibaka is the guy they keep first harden second ..

that being said i think they keep both

While I want to keep them both, we have better talent in the pipeline to replace Ibaka than we do Harden

Thabeet was a high draft pick and I've never heard of him putting up gawdy numbers. He's either in the wrong system or he just can't get it done in the NBA. ****warning, this is strictly my sole opinion and is not subject to ridicule since this is a forum. Thanks**** lol

What I really meant was, at the point where the Thunder are in their roster, yhey aren't in a position to go out on too many limbs for "projects". You don't see many championship teams in any pro sport spending much time on "projects". And yes, I know there are exceptions to that rule, but it's not the rule. Also, one spot will have to be opened for PJIII. Probably Mohammed. Which other player that the Thunder have been developing to fit in with the team would you have the Thunder drop for a Thabeet who has a career 2.2 points per game average.


we have 13 roster spots locked up .. we are going to add 1 maybe 2 guys (we might only carry 14 players) .... the 14th guy on just about every NBA roster is a project ...

Mohammed is not coming back


Big men develop slowly. We have a nice record of player development. Lazar Haywood and Derek Fisher could potentially leave. We've got Maynor coming back so we've got three point guards. I don't think giving Thabeet a chance is such a crazy idea.


Haywood is coming back unless we trade him he has a fully guaranteed contract next season. Fisher is almost 100% gone

I never claimed to be informed. It's my opinion. Isn't that what forums are about?
I agree. But should opinions be given equal weight if one is based on some sort of informed or evidentiary foundation while the alternate opinion is proffered without any supportable rationale?

Your statement — or opinion, as you described it — was declarative, as if you had a qualified, reasonable basis to support your supposition; at the same time, you were criticizing a writer who actually has a solid reputation for credibility and accuracy. My expressed opinion was that I would give (significantly) more weight and value to the proven Royce to someone who's offering dubitable opinions as if they were informed analysis. It's my opinion. Isn't that what forums are about?

It always amazes me to watch unqualified people second-guess those that know what they are talking about and know what they are doing as if these second-guessers could do it better. But that's just my opinion.

we have 13 roster spots locked up .. we are going to add 1 maybe 2 guys (we might only carry 14 players) .... the 14th guy on just about every NBA roster is a project ...

Mohammed is not coming back




Haywood is coming back unless we trade him he has a fully guaranteed contract next season. Fisher is almost 100% gone

Looks like Fisher may be going to the Bulls.

Bulls, heat, mavs are teams I heard that are interested in Fisher

Is Royal Ivey coming back ?

Fisher, Nazr, and Ivey all could be gone. "Projects" are the only thing the Thunder can afford at this point. They have to find cheap value. That's why they're doing this. It makes perfect sense.

OKC's name also appears to be in the mix for Devin Ebanks and Roger Mason, according to Chris Broussard and Royce Young.

+1 for Roger Mason.

The "source" that says OKC is looking at Thabeet is probably just about as accurate as the "source" that said OKC was going to trade Hardin for the #2 draft pick. Mark my words Thabeet is not coming to the Thunder.

Looks like the source knows best. Thabeet = 2 year deal on the cheap.

I'm marking your words......You don't know what you're talking about !

Reported at 880,000 first year.

For any NBA player that might step foot on the court $880,000 is cheap

For any NBA player that might step foot on the court $880,000 is cheap

Yep. That's the minimum for a player of his experience, and a savings over Nazr.

Looks like the source knows best. Thabeet = 2 year deal on the cheap.

I'm marking your words......You don't know what you're talking about !

Reported at 880,000 first year.

Presti must have seen something in him

Also saw that Nash is heading to the Lakers...Kicks them up a notch unfortunately