Durant to Warriors

[Sooner04]

Westbrook is the guy you build around. I cannot imagine the press they'll put on to keep him.

A lot of folks are having their pro sports cherry popped for the first time today. I got lucky. Tony Gwynn always took a discount.

 

[BCSooners]

This.

Though, I would trade RW because we all know he's not returning. He's headed out west too.

Going to be really hard to trade him and get back close to his value.

Also a sign & trade is unlikely bc why would Westbrook or the potential other team agree to it? Sign him next year, also works out for Russ bc the team would've traded away good players & picks.

 

[Eielson]

We'll see. Losing two star players in back to back seasons, and getting nothing in return will set them back. But not to the point of being able to draft another star player (ie, high draft pick).

If worst case scenario ensues and OKC loses both stars for nothing, OKC is as well prepared for that as anybody (which isn't saying much, as nobody is ever prepared for that). They'll still have young guys like Payne, Oladipo, Sabonis, and Adams to rally around, as well as a boatload of cap space. It's really easy to get behind teams that have an upward trajectory.

Worst case scenario doesn't necessarily have to ensue, though. It's certainly possible that Russ could stay, and if management deems that highly unlikely, a decent number of young assets can be had in a trade. For reasons I said earlier, the suitors won't be as plentiful as imagined, but Presti could potentially work his magic with a team like Boston that's somewhat close to contention and can't seem to rid itself of all those assets.

It certainly helps to have really high draft picks, but the idea that you have to hit a homerun in free agency or get lucky in the lottery to become a contender is a myth. Steph Curry was the 7th pick, but that's the only key guy they drafted in the top 10 (unless you count the easily replaceable Barnes picked at 7), and even he got passed on by 6 other teams. Klay Thompson came at #11 from a near-miss playoff year, and Draymond was a 2nd rounder. Obviously you want the #1 pick if you can get it, but there are too many highly coveted mid-first rounders like Paul George and Kawhi Leonard out there to give up hope. With a good drafter like Presti, I wouldn't sell all my stock in this franchise.

 

[Vinny78]

Have you ever lived there? Oakland isn't just Oakland. It is Oakland + San Francisco + Alameda + San Jose + walnut creek et al and the Cali economy is skyrocketing.

You guys can live in denial and believe what you want. He's gone and the state of Oklahoma is why. I also think he was a coward for not girding his loins and getting back to the finals in OKC but as he said there were other nonbasketball factors involved.

Oakland is a dump and I have family that lives in San Jose and nothing there and San Fran - well issues out the wazzu - and the cost of living and property is 7 times there. So happy trails Durant - what a weenie

 

[hoopsaustin]

he left because of the sorry state of the OKC and Oklahoma economy. Half of the Golden State pitch had to do with his potential business opportunities in a state with a booming economy while Oklahoma languishes in conservative crap. Thanks Okie voters.

Biggest derp post I've ever read on anything ever... :facepalm :ez-roll:

 

[jmizzy4ou]

lol, couldn't afford them both? Any team can afford two max players. That isn't the problem. The problem is that Westbrook wasn't staying, and Durant knew that. If Westbrook was signed for another 3-4 years, Durant "might" have stayed. But OKC can't build around a guy that is almost certainly gone after next season. That is just silly. Durant leaving does more than just leave a big hole at the 3, it took away one of the two "stars" that the team had. Now they have one. GS has 3-4. CLE has at least 2. I'm guessing 4th place finish at best for OKC this year, and probably 5th or 6th.

And in 2-3 years? Thunder fans will be nearly non-existent.

Exactly....

 

[bgrch1350]

I'm not a big Presti fan. A lot of hype and he's not really produced anything in OKC. San Antonio has still had great success without him, more than OKC.

I agree. The downhill started when he chose ibaka over harden.

Ever since Durant sold his 5 million dollar house for 900,000 thousand. Never truly believed he was staying.

 

[sdcloud9]

The Thunder's problem is that they won't ever attract free agents of any real consequence (Blake Griffin, maybe?) They can't even attract fringe free agents that could have helped the team win immediately.

Its hard be a consistent title contender without attracting free agents.

I see a team like the Mavericks, a decent team that will be a fringe playoff team year in year out but little more unless they blow the entire thing up and hope to build in the lottery again.

 

[coolm]

Why would Philly trade Simmons+ for one year of Westy?

Good grief dude. Go outside and enjoy the 4th. You are just embarrassing yourself in this thread.

that was just a "like". geez ... you need to take your own advice and get over yourself.
you guys can insult me all you like and it won't change the fact that he left and he says he left for non-basketball reasons. I think he's telling the truth there and the rest of you can continue to think he's lying. that is part of the reason that he's leaving I am sure. this is not an easy place for a liberal to live - much less a minority. some of the small mindedness exhibited by a few here is a prime example of why he is gone and Westbrook will leave right behind him. probably both with a middle digit extended.

 

[coolm]

Coolm--You got issues bro, seriously.

I have issues because I agree with what Kevin himself said? you guys have a lot of denial around here. just because YOU view things one way doesn't mean that's how he sees them. in fact, quite the opposite. but that's cool. whatever trips your trigger. he's gone. he says he left for OTB reasons and I believe him.

by the way - if it was just because Westbrook is leaving then he would have signed the signed the 2 year with an option here. he wanted to leave OKC and being a title contender is a big bonus.

 

[SoonerSpock]

that was just a "like". geez ... you need to take your own advice and get over yourself.
you guys can insult me all you like and it won't change the fact that he left and he says he left for non-basketball reasons. I think he's telling the truth there and the rest of you can continue to think he's lying. that is part of the reason that he's leaving I am sure. this is not an easy place for a liberal to live - much less a minority. some of the small mindedness exhibited by a few here is a prime example of why he is gone and Westbrook will leave right behind him. probably both with a middle digit extended.

Your reading comprehension is much different than mine. I take his quote "The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player — as that has always steered me in the right direction". Perhaps primary mandate means not really I was looking for a new city with more income potential. To me it means of chief importance, secondary to no other thing.

Of course if you choose to say KD is not being truthful in his statement based on his track record of being forthright you can surely do so. But expect the propensity to think otherwise.

 

[BCSooners]

I agree. The downhill started when he chose ibaka over harden.

Ever since Durant sold his 5 million dollar house for 900,000 thousand. Never truly believed he was staying.

They didn't choose ibaka over harden. Ibaka agreed to less money and harden wouldn't.

 

[coolm]

Your reading comprehension is much different than mine. I take his quote "The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player — as that has always steered me in the right direction". Perhaps primary mandate means not really I was looking for a new city with more income potential. To me it means of chief importance, secondary to no other thing.

Of course if you choose to say KD is not being truthful in his statement based on his track record of being forthright you can surely do so. But expect the propensity to think otherwise.

wow ... talk about spin. You ENTIRELY left out the next sentence that starts with BUT and ends with personal growth and talks about a different community and challenges. Like I said the DENIAL is really strong here. I would suggest some of you actually listen to the minority community a little more in your "deliberations".

 

[Darwin]

Presti is far far from perfect, yes good in the draft, now what's his 2nd strength. KD was weak to leave but his mind has probably been made up for awhile. Presti wanted badly to have a young talented guy coming off the bench as a 6th man when all young players want to start and to maximize the next contract. Good 6th men are very typically already well paid or on the downside of their careers. Presti has needed someone in Fishers role since he left but has failed to fill the hole, leaving too few ball handlers and clutch shooters at crunch time, meaning the offense is easily defended. Bottom line the buck stops with Presti because he goes young when some moves should have been getting decent veterans.



Coolm you have a good sense of the backward philosophies holding this state down on the bottom of most lists but it doesn't touch or effect NBA players. They like most people have a bubble they live in and it's really about what opinions anyone allows into their bubble.

 

[Stikboy]

wow ... talk about spin. You ENTIRELY left out the next sentence that starts with BUT and ends with personal growth and talks about a different community and challenges. Like I said the DENIAL is really strong here. I would suggest some of you actually listen to the minority community a little more in your "deliberations".

I can't believe you forgot to throw religion in there too. Maybe Oklahoma is too religious for him?

 

[coolm]

Coolm you have a good sense of the backward philosophies holding this state down on the bottom of most lists but it doesn't touch or effect NBA players. They like most people have a bubble they live in and it's really about what opinions anyone allows into their bubble.

there is a lot of truth there. he does live more in a bubble, but wont always and this certainly isn't an environment where he wants to raise his family or even envision a future. I'd suggest the people here spend a little more time listening to what momma and her friends have said than KD's gladhanding as he leaves. he's a classy kid so he's not gonna be harsh ... but this isnt a big surprise. and as I said Westbrook is right on his tail.

 

[HeismanWatch]

3. you'd have to be insane to think he didn't have more opportunities in California right now. Their economy is skyrocketing. .

Warriors are a hot team that KD can leach a championship from with that roster. KD isn't going to lead any team to a championship as he has proven over the last 9 years. :facepalm

The state of California is broke, if you consider unfunded liabilities, but they do have a national appeal with Curry on the roster.

Silicon Valley is moving to Austin, TX in masses, so I can see an NBA team in Austin in the next 10 years. The city of Austin, TX is the hottest city in the nation right now. No state tax is a big thing.

 

[coolm]

The state of California is broke, if you consider unfunded liabilities, but they do have a national appeal with Curry on the roster.

Do you actually think his economic opportunities in Cali are limited by the state's budget? By that same token do you think Oklahoma offers anything close to the myriad of things that will be available to him on the left coast from a social as well as economic standpoint?

come on guys. stop being so blind. if you think the close-minded social climate of Oklahoma had nothing to do with this then you're absolutely hiding your heads in the sand and, frankly, you're contributing to the problem.

 

[SoonerSpock]

wow ... talk about spin. You ENTIRELY left out the next sentence that starts with BUT and ends with personal growth and talks about a different community and challenges. Like I said the DENIAL is really strong here. I would suggest some of you actually listen to the minority community a little more in your "deliberations".

Obviously your legal education taught you to try to convince fence post by dealing with half truths. No one deny that community and and personal growth were inclusive in his decision just not the primary reason for his decision. Your logic say forget his primary mandate and focus on in secondary reasons because KD didn't really mean what he said. Hogwash!!!

 

[BCSooners]

Do you actually think his economic opportunities in Cali are limited by the state's budget? By that same token do you think Oklahoma offers anything close to the myriad of things that will be available to him on the left coast from a social as well as economic standpoint?

come on guys. stop being so blind. if you think the close-minded social climate of Oklahoma had nothing to do with this then you're absolutely hiding your heads in the sand and, frankly, you're contributing to the problem.

Spin it all you want he left for easy championships and to be in a system where ball movement is emphasized. But to your point I don't think he's heartbroken about leaving oklahoma.