Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Just wondering what the temperature is on Ibaka being that important to the teams success going forward, long term.

This is what I want to know as well because people are making it seem like he's irreplaceable or whatever or that you can't find another Ibaka out there. Or that Westbrook won't improve or won't change his "ways" and will be the same player he is now.

Crazy how a year ago, Westbrook was known as one of the up and coming PGs in the league with a chance to be an elite one very soon and one playoff series later, he's dubbed Starbury 2.0 and getting most of the blame for that loss to Dallas last year(because let's be honest, this is where most of this noise about him started).

With the new “Derrick Rose rule,” Westbrook could be eligible for 30 percent of the Thunder’s cap starting next year – a five-year, $94 million extension – if he’s selected to another All-NBA team.

I'm assuming that everyone here thinks he going to make the All NBA team after this year since that would be the only way he could get that $90 Mil. And if he doesn't then you can still be able to keep Durant, Westbrook and Harden

[PrettyT11]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

I agree with all of that Red said and to add to it Ibaka has a nice 15 foot jumper already. If he adds to that he can become a decent offensive player that can get you a good 12 or so points a night. He runs the floor with the best of them at the 4 and 5, ca get you easy points on oops and just running the floor, he can play either the 4 or 5, can play defense away from the basket on those PF's who like the outside more tha the inside, and his weak side shotblocking and help defense is more valuable than most would think. That allow Perkins to focus on nothing but stopping his man on the block. Ibaka is a great glue guy that could fit in on any team in any system.

[RedSceptile]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

I asked because I dont think Westbrook is worth 90 million for 5 years or whatever it is... thats just too much for a dude who doesn't produce like a Chris Paul or Derrick Rose... matter of fact did Rose even get that much?

In that case as I said, look to trade the dude

Rose got a 94 million extension that put you guys over the cap at the moment.

[PrettyT11]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

I'm assuming that everyone here thinks he going to make the All NBA team after this year since that would be the only way he could get that $90 Mil. And if he doesn't then you can still be able to keep Durant, Westbrook and Harden

If he doesn't he can still get over 80 million. That is still to much. OKC is already over the cap now. Signing him to that kind of deal pushes them way over. There is no way they would be able to keep either one of those guys plus him if he signs that kind of deal. The article even states they want him to take less than that.

Again it's not about his skill level it's about the business side of things. You can't tie up 60 percent of your cap for two wing guys and have to fill out the rest of your squad with average guys and late round draft picks. Harden is more important than Ibaka at the moment and there is almost a zero percent chance of keeping him if Westbrook gets 80 or more million. OKC will not go into the luxury tax. The team simply won't be able to afford it with the new luxury tax rules.

[Drewski]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

If OKC loses Ibaka they're in for a world of pain if they plan on starting Collison at the 4.

If they ended up losing Ibaka, I imagine the team would find a suitable PF through a trade scenario or FA signing. Don't think they'd just toss up a white flag and surrender to the idea of starting Collison. Just have a hard time believing that Ibaka or die is the scenario.

[23]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

This is what I want to know as well because people are making it seem like he's irreplaceable or whatever or that you can't find another Ibaka out there. Or that Westbrook won't improve or won't change his "ways" and will be the same player he is now.

Crazy how a year ago, Westbrook was known as one of the up and coming PGs in the league with a chance to be an elite one very soon and one playoff series later, he's dubbed Starbury 2.0 and getting most of the blame for that loss to Dallas last year(because let's be honest, this is where most of this noise about him started).


I'm assuming that everyone here thinks he going to make the All NBA team after this year since that would be the only way he could get that $90 Mil. And if he doesn't then you can still be able to keep Durant, Westbrook and Harden

The playoffs is really where you prove your worth...check the playoff thread in here from last year and watch and see how WB transformed right into Bad Russ right before our eyes

...and you're right, we were all thinking that before the playoffs, and still think he has the talent...but he's not showing the mental growth at all, and on top of that..he's asking for an insane amount of money which only increases after that, and it puts them at risk of losing some of their core guys

Do you really want that if you're OKC?

[RedSceptile]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Also Pack Westbrook's, main issue is learning how to control the game and play with control. More times than none he forces the issue too much or takes unnecessary shots. He just needs to learn to balance between attacking and dishing there's no reason he can't get his points and his assists at the same time. There are guys better than him who still manage(d) to do it. No reason why Westbrook can't realistically put up 22/4.5/10 when he's shown he has the skill he just has a lack of poise that comes with maturity and experience and it's kind of expected from someone who slid down from an Off Guard to a Point.

[23]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

That's apart of his growing process which is okay... the thing is do you pay the sacrifice of what I just stated above, along with the luxury tax?

[RedSceptile]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

It's a risk. Really big risk. OKC isn't seeking the full extension so they can pay the rest of their core but Westbrook is a pretty unique talent. You kind of no what to expect some fist pumps and head scratching, if he can deliver more of the former than the latter and you truly believe so, go for it.

[23]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Thing is you dont know..and too bad this came up before the playoffs started

Scrubs like Jeff Foster has gotten money because he scored a few points in a playoff GAME.. just one

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

His main thing is consistency, basically. We forget that this is only his 4th(?) year in the league so there's going to be some growing pains but I also think that he can get the numbers that Red brought up because he's shown he can. It just a matter of being consistent with it.

It is a risk along with every move(you think the Heat and more importantly D-Wade expected Lebron to fold up in the 4th quarter when they picked him up ) but it is one that I would take, especially if it means I gotta sacrifice a Serge Ibaka because they'll always be Serge Ibaka's floating around out there but you won't find too many Russell Westbrook's just sitting around though.

If they ended up losing Ibaka, I imagine the team would find a suitable PF through a trade scenario or FA signing. Don't think they'd just toss up a white flag and surrender to the idea of starting Collison. Just have a hard time believing that Ibaka or die is the scenario

Couldn't agree more.

[CMH]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

His main thing is consistency, basically. We forget that this is only his 4th(?) year in the league so there's going to be some growing pains but I also think that he can get the numbers that Red brought up because he's shown he can. It just a matter of being consistent with it.

It is a risk along with every move(you think the Heat and more importantly D-Wade expected Lebron to fold up in the 4th quarter when they picked him up ) but it is one that I would take, especially if it means I gotta sacrifice a Serge Ibaka because they'll always be Serge Ibaka's floating around out there but you won't find too many Russell Westbrook's just sitting around though.


Couldn't agree more.

I think they have a better chance of winning a championship with Maynor, Durant, Ibaka and Harden than Durant, Westbrook and 10 more role players.

Advanced Statistics (oh, I know, blasphemy in basketball, but hey, it won the Mavericks a championship) showed that OKC played nearly just as efficiently both offensively and defensively with Maynor on the court with the four other starters as Westbrook on the court.

I get it, Westbrook is special. The problem is what kind of special do you want? You can say there are a bunch of Ibaka's floating around in the league and I'll say there are a bunch of Westbrook's too. There are other guards his size that can score and pass the rock while also giving you a heart attach every time he jacks up a bad shot.

He's been in the league only 4 years. I don't care. I think that's more than enough time to figure out a guy. Players simply do not change, they can only get better. They don't suddenly become rebounders when they aren't. They don't suddenly stop taking bad shots because they want to. If that's how they are, that's how they will always be.

Can they become better shooters? Sure. But Westbrook's problems aren't the type that go away. It will always be a problem.

[23]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

His main thing is consistency, basically. We forget that this is only his 4th(?) year in the league so there's going to be some growing pains but I also think that he can get the numbers that Red brought up because he's shown he can. It just a matter of being consistent with it.

...but you can judge a player after 3 years

and yeah consistency is his issue but its all mental, we all agree the skill is there, but who's showing him the ropes? It doesnt just appear out of the thing blue air one day

It is a risk along with every move(you think the Heat and more importantly D-Wade expected Lebron to fold up in the 4th quarter when they picked him up ) but it is one that I would take, especially if it means I gotta sacrifice a Serge Ibaka because they'll always be Serge Ibaka's floating around out there but you won't find too many Russell Westbrook's just sitting around though.


Couldn't agree more.

Yes its a risk but Ibaka isnt the only part of it. Its the Lux tax, its James Harden, its believing this guy will be all of what Red stated and all of that in a bundle

[ScoobySnax]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

To be honest, Westbrook should get a deal similar to Rondo's 5yr/$55MM. He should be happy with that. That's a damn good deal. Of course, the salary hierarchy plays a huge role in the locker room and that probably wouldn't sit well with Russ.

[CMH]

To be honest, Westbrook should get a deal similar to Rondo's 5yr/$55MM. He should be happy with that. That's a damn good deal. Of course, the salary hierarchy plays a huge role in the locker room and that probably wouldn't sit well with Russ.

Which is why I predict that ten years from now he will be thinking back on this upcoming off season and saying: "I should have taken the deal OKC offered me. We could have won a championship together." (assuming they don't this year)


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