OKC Thunder 2014 - 2015

[Laramie]

Good analogy Dan:

It's encouraging to see the pieces that Sam Presti has put together with the recent draft pics. Later, we can bring in Tibor Pleiss & Alex Abrines staggered on rookie salaries.

Mitch McGary like Adams could turn out to be another 'diamond in the rough' for the Thunder. Harden was a plus for the Thunder's offense. Dan, you called it correctly--J. Harden was a defensive liability.

IMO Ibaka over Harden any day. It's tough to see the decisions a small market like OKC will have to make. Let's stash some funds away for the future core (Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Adams, McGary) of the team.

Jeremy Lamb & Andre Roberson need to stay on that 'yellow brick road' until they gain some consistency with their confidence. Roberson has the defensive energy; he has fallen into a slump with his offensive proficiency.

[dankrutka]

It's tough to see the decisions a small market like OKC will have to make. Let's stash some funds away for the future core (Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Adams, McGary) of the team.

How is being a small market applicable? OKC had the fifth highest profit margin in the NBA last season. If our owners refuse to go into the tax for an opportunity to add a key piece then all the national criticism will be justified. I have suspended my judgment assuming they're stalling the repeater tax and/or waiting for the right opportunity. I truly hope that's the case.

[Laramie]

How is being a small market applicable? OKC had the fifth highest profit margin in the NBA last season. If our owners refuse to go into the tax for an opportunity to add a key piece then all the national criticism will be justified. I have suspended my judgment assuming they're stalling the repeater tax and/or waiting for the right opportunity. I truly hope that's the case.

The Thunder have marketed its brand over the years; they lost approximately $130 million +/- which included the relocation process.

Losses and fees.

Seattle - 2006-07: Loss - $30 million inadequate arena
Seattle - 2007-08: Loss - $25 million inadequate arena
$30 million relocation fee ($1 million per team, $ 1 million to NBA)
$45 million to break the 'iron clad' KeyArena Lease & payoff the '96 renovation finances left on KeyArena.

Seattle had decent attendance numbers; however the building lacked the amenities necessary to make operations profitable. Professional Basketball Club LLC lost somewhere in the neighborhood of $130 million in Seattle which included relocation.

A 'small market' doesn't possess the corporate base (sponsors) of a large market. The life of an NBA arena is about 20 years. We may need to replace the Chesapeake Energy Arena (2025) sooner than expected with something around 19,000 - 20,000 seats with amenities; the owners will probably be asked to contribute this time.

Purchase investment ($350 million) for the Supersonics. The Thunder are worth $590 million (Forbes 2014); that's the current value of the team.

Seattle	Attendance	Oklahoma City	Attendance
2006-2007	15,955	2008-2009	18,693
2007-2008	13,355	2009-2010	18,003
		2010-2011	18,148
		2011-2012	18,203
		2012-2013	18,203
		2013-2014	18,203

2013-2014 NBA Attendance - National Basketball Association - ESPN