Paul George to OKC

[dankrutka]

Wow! What a move by Presti! The Thunder traded Oladipo and Sabonis to Indiana for Paul George. While I like both Oladipo and Sabonis I had worries about each, particularly Oladipo's contract ($20 million is just too much) and Sabonis (really struggled and is just on a different timeline than Russ). The Thunder gave up no picks in the trade (!!!). Paul George is a top 10-15 player in the league. There is a decent chance he leaves for the Lakers after this season. And, even if that happens, I think this was a worthy risk. OKC has a year to try to convince him to stay and make a run. Most small market teams can only dream of a team like this... even for one season. Everyone buckle up, it's going to be a fun ride!

[OkiePoke]

Created a lot of cap space to go after FA's in 2018. Great move.

Basically traded Ibaka for 1 year of PG13 & Grant.

[dcsooner]

Wow! What a move by Presti! The Thunder traded Oladipo and Sabonis to Indiana for Paul George. While I like both Oladipo and Sabonis I had worries about each, particularly Oladipo's contract ($20 million is just too much) and Sabonis (really struggled and is just on a different timeline than Russ). The Thunder gave up no picks in the trade (!!!). Paul George is a top 10-15 player in the league. There is a decent chance he leaves for the Lakers after this season. And, even if that happens, I think this was a worthy risk. OKC has a year to try to convince him to stay and make a run. Most small market teams can only dream of a team like this... even for one season. Everyone buckle up, it's going to be a fun ride!

Agree with all you said. Even if he leaves it will be worth it. Who knows, he a Russ could actually mesh. Great move money wise as well

[SOONER8693]

Agree with all you said. Even if he leaves it will be worth it. Who knows, he a Russ could actually mesh. Great move money wise as well

Absolutely brilliant move.

[Easy180]

Should make next season more interesting. Still not enough to take on the Warriors but will be interested to see how well George and Westbrook play together.

[cinnamonjock]

Presti is a magician. I've seen people rank George as 7-8 in the league. Now I'm actually getting excited for this season of basketball.

[Laramie]

Dan, you beat me to the punch.

Wake up board buddies . . .

Tell me I'm dreaming? I've been pinching myself since KOCO-TV 5 broke the story. Now NBA-TV is calling this a huge trade--game changer since it took the option of George joining the Celtics off the table. Boston's GM blinked; no chance for George or Griffin.

Did the Thunder just acquire PAUL GEORGE (Indiana Pacers). He & Westbrook will be a thorn in any team's side. Had to give up Oladipo & Sabonis. Now let's go get Rudy Gay.

Is Presti under 'pressure' since the lost of Durant?

[chuck5815]

Dan, you beat me to the punch.

Wake up board buddies . . .

Tell me I'm dreaming? I've been pinching myself since KOCO-TV 5 broke the story. Now NBA-TV is calling this a huge trade--game changer since it took the option of George joining the Celtics off the table. Boston's GM blinked; no chance for George or Griffin.

Did the Thunder just acquire PAUL GEORGE (Indiana Pacers). He & Westbrook will be a thorn in any team's side. Had to give up Oladipo & Sabonis. Now let's go get Rudy Gay.

Is Presti under 'pressure' since the lost of Durant?

I don't like the idea of Gay very much. The team struggled mightily with ball movement and the flow of its offense last year. The last thing it needs is a mid-range loving, ball stopping black hole like Gay. If anything, OKC needs more three point shooting. I wouldn't mind if Sam took a flyer on a guy like Ben McLemore. He shot close to 40% on 3's last season and is a fairly capable defender. Would also be a super cheap contract.

[Jake]

The fact that the team is immediately better and suddenly has breathing room to do more deals, the trade was great.

The Thunder are actually saving money by trading Oladipo as well:
Oladipo - $21,000,000
George - $19,508,000

[bradh]

man the league is shaping up to be allsome all around this coming season. i'm interested to see if the Wolves can finally play up to their talent level

[Bellaboo]

14 or the top 15 players in the league are now in the West. LeBron is the only East player and he is ranked #1.

[Bellaboo]

The fact that the team is immediately better and suddenly has breathing room to do more deals, the trade was great.

The Thunder are actually saving money by trading Oladipo as well:
Oladipo - $21,000,000
George - $19,508,000

I think Sabonis was around 2 mil also.

[SoonerDave]

I've been ragging a bit on Presti for seemingly kinda letting things meander, so I've gotta give props where props are due. This a huge deal for the Thunder. Huge.

[Jake]

I think Sabonis was around 2 mil also.

Good point!

[chuck5815]

If you're Presti, you almost have to pay Taj Gibson and Roberson at this point.

[bradh]

If we are able to do that Chuck I like our team. You have Gibson and Grant to cover the 4, shooters in McDermott and Abrines off the bench and then of course Kanter spelling Adams.

[Jake]

Bet Presti is shopping Kanter around to see what he could get with him. His contract isn't great, but neither was Oladipo's and look what that was able to fetch.

Getting his 17 million off the books would be a giant help.

[dankrutka]

I don't like the idea of Gay very much. The team struggled mightily with ball movement and the flow of its offense last year. The last thing it needs is a mid-range loving, ball stopping black hole like Gay. If anything, OKC needs more three point shooting. I wouldn't mind if Sam took a flyer on a guy like Ben McLemore. He shot close to 40% on 3's last season and is a fairly capable defender. Would also be a super cheap contract.

^^^ Co-sign.

I do think Abrines and McDermott will get more opportunities and open looks next season. So, hopefully the Thunder's three point shooting can improve internally, but adding another competent three point shooter would help. As to Gay, if he is willing to play the four and accept a role that fits the team then he could work, but I'm not interested in the Gay that plays the three, stops the ball, and plays in the midrange. I'd much rather have Taj, but I am sure the market may force OKC's hands.

This is the year OKC has to spend big to try to convince guys to stay. After this season, either players stay or it's a clear rebuild. Either way, I think it's the right move.

[bhawes]

If Presti was a majician we would of kept Hardin. Then Thunder would of had at least two titles by now. Our three of Westbrook, Durant and Harden
was better then Curry, Klay and Green.

[king183]

If Presti was a majician we would of kept Hardin. Then Thunder would of had at least two titles by now. Our three of Westbrook, Durant and Harden
was better then Curry, Klay and Green.

I was wondering when a silly comment like this would show up. Of course it was Presti's fault that Durant broke his foot in one year of contention and Westbrook was injured by Patrick Beverley for another and Ibaka injured his calf. Definitely Presti's fault that our two stars turned the ball over several times in the last few minutes of the GSW close out last year and couldn't defend Thompson to save our lives.

I see so many people who know little about how the NBA works relentlessly bashing Presti for not making the team better. Huh?

Well, he just did with the George trade and, according to reports out today, he was trying to get that trade done during the season before the trade deadline and then again on draft night. He has proven himself time and again, yet he'll never satisfy those who think we need KD, Russ, LeBron, Curry, and Blake Griffin on the same team STAT or everything is a massive failure.

[Laramie]

If Presti was a majician we would of kept Hardin. Then Thunder would of had at least two titles by now. Our three of Westbrook, Durant and Harden
was better then Curry, Klay and Green.

Presti went into a tirade when he learned that Harden was staying out late and partying during the 2012 playoffs against Miami. We should have kept Livingston (who rehabed with the Thunder) instead of hanging on to Harden's partner in crime (Eric Maynor).

The two (Harden/Maynor) were like cockhounds sniffing out their next lap dance. Thank God Oklahoma did away with allowing strippers to go totally nude. Valley Brook would have a couple of high rises (no pun intended) and a police station comparable to OKC's.

[gopokes88]

If you've ever doubted Presti I'll be serving crow all day.

[Laramie]

Rudy Gay #35

Enes Kanter tweeted a picture of two empty chairs in the Thunder's practice facility locker room, with Russell Westbrook's locker next to a new name plate for Rudy Gay. League sources tell ESPN that nothing is done between Gay and the Thunder, but that Gay is in Oklahoma City meeting with the team and touring the practice facility on Saturday. League sources were confident late Friday, though, that OKC was in a strong position with Gay, especially after the Paul George trade.

[Thomas Vu]

Is that a herman miller aeron chair?

[OKCRT]

Presti went into a tirade when he learned that Harden was staying out late and partying during the 2012 playoffs against Miami. We should have kept Livingston (who rehabed with the Thunder) instead of hanging on to Harden's partner in crime (Eric Maynor).

The two (Harden/Maynor) were like cockhounds sniffing out their next lap dance. Thank God Oklahoma did away with allowing strippers to go totally nude. Valley Brook would have a couple of high rises (no pun intended) and a police station comparable to OKC's.

Maybe OKC needs to reverse the stripper law to get some FAs to sign? Add a few nightclubs and get the party started. I mean that is what other cities have to offer these rich young guys.