That mykhailuk kid is looking like a young Clay Thompson.

Might need to send him down to the Blue for a few wks so his high level play won’t interfere with Operation Tank.

Just thinking through it, I wonder if Presti is building up for two things: 1. 2021 draft and 2. 2022 Free Agency. Some of the biggest names come back on the market in 2022, and three of them I doubt would be coming back to OKC (KD, WB, JH), but a lot of others are out there as well. Developing the young players, getting really good picks in the next couple of drafts and a big free agency could spell a great future for OKC.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but OKC will likely never be a player in free agency. OKC couldn’t get mid-tier free agents when they were a top 3 team. The biggest free agency signing is... Raymond Felton? It’s always going to be drafts and trades.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_IE_3_2.jpg



Thunder @ Suns
Friday, April 2
Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 9 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Phoenix%20Suns/PHX_SE_1_1.jpg

https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/atxHF4mmuWRkAl8ChiQv9w--~B/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD0yODg7dz01MTQ7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://s.yimg.com/hd/cp-video-transcode/prod/2021-04/03/6067f0ff5aec9a57bf2c0617/6067f103bc43a90001b73876_1280x720_FES_v1.jpg

Thunder 103 @ Suns 140

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307535

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_IE_3_2.jpg



Thunder @ Trailblazers
Saturday, April 3
Moda Center Arena, Portland
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 9 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Portland%20Trail%20Blazers/POR_CE_2_3.jpg

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but OKC will likely never be a player in free agency. OKC couldn’t get mid-tier free agents when they were a top 3 team. The biggest free agency signing is... Raymond Felton? It’s always going to be drafts and trades.

Yes, we're a small market less than 2 million MSA population area. Drafts & trades will always be a vehicle to improve the Thunder franchise. As we develop players like Maledon & Pokusevski (couple of 19 year olds), there's always enthusiasm we'll see a brighter future. We're competing with small markets like Milwaukee, New Orleans, Memphis and Salt Lake City--all appear to have bright futures.

Many of the quality free agents demand the big bucks, the bad news about free agents--how many of them are worth it.

https://www.oregonlive.com/resizer/MlItSu-imMPQEOCIEYX6rwlEHys=/700x0/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/33M6APK3MVAX5N4PZMOITKGBXY.JPG

Thunder 85 @ Trailblazers 133

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401307544



.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Detroit%20Pistons/DET_AE_2_1.jpg



Pistons @ Thunder
Monday, April 5
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 6 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_CE_4_3.jpg

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but OKC will likely never be a player in free agency. OKC couldn’t get mid-tier free agents when they were a top 3 team. The biggest free agency signing is... Raymond Felton? It’s always going to be drafts and trades.

Two words: Paul George They were also able to resign KD and Russell as extensions of their rookie contracts.

Two words: Paul George They were also able to resign KD and Russell as extensions of their rookie contracts.

The Thunder traded for Paul George and drafted Kevin Durant and Russ. It's exactly my point.

The Thunder traded for Paul George and drafted Kevin Durant and Russ. It's exactly my point.

the also signed PG as a free agent ..

the also signed PG as a free agent ..

Yes they did..... then a big party night.

the also signed PG as a free agent ..

Re-signing your own players is absolutely not the same as signing a free agent. Every team re-signs or extends their own players. Only some teams can attract quality free agents. The bigger point here is even after OKC re-signed Paul George, but then quickly forced his way out too. OKC cannot rely on signing good players. They have to rely on trades (see Paul George, SGA) or the draft (see KD, Russ, Harden, Serge). At best, OKC can sign Raymond Felton, Patrick Patterson, or Nenad Krstic in free agency.


Yes they did..... then a big party night.

The Thunder traded Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis for Paul George and then had a "Welcome to OKC" party at the Jones Assembly. Paul George was forced to OKC in a trade and had no choice.

Re-signing your own players is absolutely not the same as signing a free agent. Every team re-signs or extends their own players. Only some teams can attract quality free agents. The bigger point here is even after OKC re-signed Paul George, but then quickly forced his way out too. OKC cannot rely on signing good players. They have to rely on trades (see Paul George, SGA) or the draft (see KD, Russ, Harden, Serge). At best, OKC can sign Raymond Felton, Patrick Patterson, or Nenad Krstic in free agency.



The Thunder traded Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis for Paul George and then had a "Welcome to OKC" party at the Jones Assembly. Paul George was forced to OKC in a trade and had no choice.

and then he was a free agent a year later and then he resigned in OKC as a free agent and had a party with westbrook at a mansion in OKC

Raymond Felton and maybe Mike Muscala are probably the best FA signings in team history. Dan is right, Paul George re-signing isn't anywhere near the same as signing a free agent. It's splitting hairs. PG was technically a FA after he opted out of his contract, but it's been reported that Presti spoke with him and basically said, "Look, sign with us and if you aren't happy, we'll trade you to where you actually want to go."

If Paul George reached free agency while he was still with the Pacers, there was basically zero chance he'd sign with OKC. I doubt OKC would have even gotten a meeting with him. That's just the way it goes for small markets, unless you're like Charlotte and overpay for "middle-tier" FAs, and even that would be a stretch for OKC. Sam Presti knows this as well as Royce Young and everyone that covers the Thunder.

If OKC ever contends again, it will be through the draft and trades.

and then he was a free agent a year later and then he resigned in OKC as a free agent and had a party with westbrook at a mansion in OKC

No would say the Thunder signed Russell Westbrook in free agency, but if you want to play this game: OKC can never rely on signing good free agents that are not on their team. They will have to rely on trades, the draft, and re-signing their own players.

No would say the Thunder signed Russell Westbrook in free agency, but if you want to play this game: OKC can never rely on signing good free agents that are not on their team. They will have to rely on trades, the draft, and re-signing their own players.Absolutely right. Re-signing current players and attracting outside free agents are two different worlds. OKC will probably never be an acceptable destination for big time free agents to want to come to. We will have to rely on trades and pray that draft picks actually rise to their potential.

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/04/06/PDTF/0f37889b-82c2-47a1-8587-f5ed439ab78f-USATSI_15851037.jpg?width=2560

Pistons 132 @ Thunder 108

Box score http://https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307558

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Charlotte%20Hornets/CHA_SE_2_2.jpg



Hornets @ Thunder
Wednesday, April 7
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_AE_1_1.jpg

.

PG turned down the Lakers for us. OKC was seen as a better option.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_George

While he still wanted to return to Southern California, George also "loved the situation" with Oklahoma City. He decided weeks before free agency began on July 1, 2018, that he would stay with the Thunder, and never arranged a meeting with the Lakers. On July 6, George re-signed with the Thunder to a reported four-year, $137 million contract.

No would say the Thunder signed Russell Westbrook in free agency, but if you want to play this game: OKC can never rely on signing good free agents that are not on their team. They will have to rely on trades, the draft, and re-signing their own players.

Westbrook was never a FREE AGENT in OKC ... so yea no one would say that ..

Re-signing your own players is absolutely not the same as signing a free agent. Every team re-signs or extends their own players. Only some teams can attract quality free agents. The bigger point here is even after OKC re-signed Paul George, but then quickly forced his way out too. OKC cannot rely on signing good players. They have to rely on trades (see Paul George, SGA) or the draft (see KD, Russ, Harden, Serge). At best, OKC can sign Raymond Felton, Patrick Patterson, or Nenad Krstic in free agency.


The Thunder traded Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis for Paul George and then had a "Welcome to OKC" party at the Jones Assembly. Paul George was forced to OKC in a trade and had no choice.

I'm talking about the party at the 5 million dollar mansion east of Arcadia. Where a select number were sworn to secrecy when invited to attend. The party where Paul and Russell were smoking victory cigars.

Paul had a voice with this signing. And it only lasted a year, but the first round picks for the rebuild made it worth obligating his wishes to return to LA.

Hornets @ Thunder

Wednesday, April 7

Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City

Bally Sports Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

Re-signing players is important and it allowed OKC to get a boatload of assets in return when PG requested a trade to Los Angeles shortly into his contract. Anyway, I think we've already gone in circles on this.

Back to this year's team. Poku has really started showing some more stuff these last few weeks. It's fun to watch him grow.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Bazley, Dort, Muscala, Maledon, & Pokusevski has been given the green light to shoot the trey whenever open and uncontested. Unfortunately for the Thunder, four of these guys are out indefinitely.

INJURY STATUS:


Bazley, Dort, Muscala & Gilgeous-Alexander - OUT

Hall, Williams & Roby - Day-to-day

https://s.secure.espncdn.com/stitcher/sports/basketball/nba/events/401161109.png?templateId=espn.com.share.1

Hornets 113 @ Thunder 102

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307574

https://okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2020/12/USATSI_15363193.jpg?resize=1073,1536

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Cleveland%20Cavaliers/CLE_IE_2_2.jpg



Cavaliers @ Thunder
Thursday, April 8
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_AE_1_1.jpg

This team is definitely starting to tank at a very high level.

Poku is fun.

Poku is straight up fearless, that dunk/charge last night was insane to attempt.

We need to keep losing all the rest of these games. Get to see Sexton tonight.

https://www.cleveland.com/resizer/NOpPzo2_b96pe_rNAQI_TsO7ADQ=/700x0/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/WNMUSTZ77JFMRIMXOLD6TXPUFE.jpg

Cavaliers 129 @ Thunder 102

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307578

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Philadelphia%2076ers/PHI_IE_1_1.jpg



76ers @ Thunder
Saturday, April 10
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 8 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_2_2.jpg

Maybe the team was doing fans a favor by not allowing them to suffer through these games in person.

Maybe the team was doing fans a favor by not allowing them to suffer through these games in person.

I love watching this team. They’ve leaned harder into tanking recently, but Poku and Theo and Ty and Moses have all been fun.

Love watching the development of the current players. As far as winning, take this advice: "Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed."

Maybe the team was doing fans a favor by not allowing them to suffer through these games in person.

California teams will all have fans starting next week ..

Global Oklahoma City Thunder

Players from France, Argentina, Canada, Serbia

https://www.football24.news/img/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Report-Another-Argentine-in-the-NBA-Gabriel-Deck-new-signing.jpg
Age 26 - H 6' 6' - W 215, Position: Forward, Last team: Real Madrid, EuroLeague, Hometown: Santiago, Argentina
Language: Fluent Spanish





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQT4Tv_mrbg


https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Gabriel-Deck-Thunder-Real-Madrid.jpg


RUMORS: Thunder nab Real Madrid star Gabriel Deck: https://clutchpoints.com/thunder-rumors-okc-nabs-real-madrid-star-gabriel-deck/

https://statmilk.bleacherreport.com/api/image/mashup/logo?team1=philadelphia-76ers&team2=oklahoma-city-thunder

76ers 117 @ Thunder 93

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307594

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ekye0bkLsWg.5Nx0ObbFtg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQzNi4xNzUwNDA1MT g2Mzg2/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/QiRhj1OfJ7S8MoDQBWHrdg--~B/aD0xNjgyO3c9MjQ2ODthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/thunder_wire_usa_today_sports_articles_686/86ef790b4560a9244b87eaf79d9dfb0a

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_3_2.jpg



Thunder @ Jazz
Tuesday, April 13
Vivint Smart Home Arena , Salt Lake City
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 8 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Utah%20Jazz/UTA_CE_5_3.jpg

California teams will all have fans starting next week ..

I have said along the Thunder will probably be the only team without fans by the end of the year. That being said without SGA, Horford I know they are not going to win and knowing I won't be able to go to a game I have lost tons of interest over the last week or two.

I have said along the Thunder will probably be the only team without fans by the end of the year. That being said without SGA, Horford I know they are not going to win and knowing I won't be able to go to a game I have lost tons of interest over the last week or two.

I'm sure the Thunder are hoping that that the pandemic is all but over by next season. There's no doubt in my mind that fans will be getting kicked out of every single game trying to "defend their free-dumbs", which is something the Thunder don't want to deal with in any way shape or fashion.

https://s.secure.espncdn.com/stitcher/sports/basketball/nba/events/401307621.png?templateId=espn.com.share.1

https://kslsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Donovan-Mitchell-Utah-Jazz-Oklahoma-City-Thunder-768x432.jpg

Thunder 96 @ Jazz 106

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307621

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Golden%20State%20Warriors/GSW_SE_2_2.jpg



Warriors @ Thunder
Wednesday, April 14
Chesapeake Energy Arena , Oklahoma City
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 8 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_EE_2_2.jpg

Warriors 147 @ Thunder 109

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307632

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE_1_1.jpg



Thunder @ Pistons
Friday, April 16
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 6 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Detroit%20Pistons/DET_AE_1_1.jpg

The game in Detroit will be tough.

They are obviously tanking at a very high level, too.

Great breakdown of Poku's flashes and potential:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsuaf-MCVHE

I think 5th is the lowest we are going to fall in the standings. Will need a little luck to get a top 3 pick but I would be ok with the 5th overall pick. Hopefully it won't be much higher like 8th or 9th.

Thunder's duet, a pair of 19 year olds

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyDKKFbWUAUyN9q.jpg

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/4683027.png&w=350&h=254 https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/4683018.png&w=350&h=254

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyDa5jvXIAgUmAg.jpg

I think 5th is the lowest we are going to fall in the standings. Will need a little luck to get a top 3 pick but I would be ok with the 5th overall pick. Hopefully it won't be much higher like 8th or 9th.

Strangely, it's very unlikely (2.2%) that the 5th place team will get the 5th pick. I agree that 5th place is the most likely landing spot for OKC with an outside chance at 4th. With the flattened lottery odds, every team needs luck. For example, we have Houston's pick, but it's top 4 protected and Houston is vying for the worst record. However, if Houston has the worst record (which Thunder fans should hope for), it means OKC has a 47.9% chance of getting the #5 pick, which would be massive considering scouts believe there are 5 game changers at the top of this draft.

Here are the lottery odds for each pick: http://www.tankathon.com/pick_odds

If OKC lands at 5th then they have the following odds:
- 1st pick: 10.5%
- 2nd pick: 10.5%
- 3rd pick: 10.6%
- 4th pick: 10.5%
- 5th pick: 2.2%
- 6th pick: 19.6%
- 7th pick: 26.7%
- 8th pick: 8.7%
- 9th pick: 0.6%

The draft lottery on June 22nd will be maybe the biggest night of the year for Thunder fans.

Game against the Pistons tonight is going to be an incredible tankathon.

The game is probably more important for us than the Pistons, who are probably locked into the 3rd spot. I believe this team can come through! haha

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gxYUyUwllqM/maxresdefault.jpg

Thunder 104 @ Pistons 110

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307641

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_AE_1_1.jpg



Thunder @ Raptors
Friday, April 18
Amelie Arena Tampa, Florida , Tampa, FL
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 6 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Toronto%20Raptors/TOR_SE_3_2.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPxqRfl_GzA/UJoNhTaSxOI/AAAAAAAAAjo/Sax4syeL-q0/s1600/Raps+vs+OKC.png


Thunder 106 vs Raptors 112


Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401307662

https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_736,h_485,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1293324608-850x560.jpeg

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_AE_1_1.jpg



Thunder @ Wizards
Monday, April 19
Capital One Arena, Washington D. C.
Bally Sports Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

https://lockervision.nba.com/assets/uniform/Washington%20Wizards/WAS_SE_3_2.jpg

Daignault needs to tell Lu Dort to relax.
The brodie trying to knock the tank off its tracks.

https://www.nba.com/thunder/sites/thunder/files/a33cd13e-0af4-42bc-b7c2-e3b0f9791bd4.jpg?w=756&h=440

Oklahoma City Thunder sign forward Gabriel Deck to 4-year, $14.5M deal, source says

ESPN News Services

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed Gabriel Deck to a multi-year contract, the team announced on Tuesday.

Deck's deal is for four years and $14.5M, sources tell ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.


Oklahoma City Thunder Roster - https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/okc

Dort is the best contract in the league. OKC will pay him big in a couple years. What a steal.

The lose-out tank a thon is going swimmingly. Houston won a game though, gross!

Dort is the best contract in the league. OKC will pay him big in a couple years. What a steal.

The lose-out tank a thon is going swimmingly. Houston won a game though, gross!

thunder needs houston to win