Oklahoma City Thunder Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Central Notes: Deng, Bulls, Pacers

November 29th, 2013 at 6:01pm CST by Ryan Raroque

The Cavaliers reportedly had interest in trading for Luol Deng this past summer but were rebuffed by the Bulls, writes Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. As of now, Deveney adds, it doesn’t appear that anything on that front will change anytime soon, and unless Chicago can obtain a 2014 draft pick, there isn’t much sense in moving Deng. Here’s more out of the Central Division tonight, including much more from Deveney:

That same piece explores the trade value of Carlos Boozer, who according to one general manager isn’t really being sought after by any team at this point. While the Bulls still have the former Duke product on their books until 2015, Deveney opines that the Knicks might become desperate enough to make a move for him to shore up their struggling front court.
Deveney also writes that Joakim Noah still has high value around the league despite his battles with injury over the last few seasons. The Knicks would appear to be another logical landing spot for the 6’11 center, although the Pelicans, Thunder, and Mavericks are expected to be in pursuit should the Bulls place Noah on the trading block.
Lastly, with reports that Nikola Mirotic – whose draft rights are still owned by the Bulls – has developed into a star in Spain, Deveney says that if Chicago were to package his rights in a deal including Deng, Noah, or Boozer, they would be looking to get a star player in return. According to one scout, Mirotic is currently the “best player who is not in the NBA right now.” If Mirotic weren’t included in a deal involving any of those three, the Bulls would supposedly settle for cap relief, draft picks, and/or young talent.
Sam Smith of Bulls.com opened his mailbag and dissects trade suggestions sent in by his readers.
Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen thinks the Pacers currently have the requisite pieces in place to make a title run this season. However, considering Indiana’s vow to remain under the tax threshold, the team isn’t likely to maintain the same type of depth after this year, especially with Danny Granger‘s contract set to expire and Lance Stephenson due for a new contract.

Western Notes: Wolves, Thunder, Mavs, Kings

November 27th, 2013 at 4:56pm CST by Luke Adams

Following up on comments he made yesterday about trading Derrick Williams to the Kings, Timberwolves president Flip Saunders acknowledged that the deal could end up looking very short-sighted, but said he still felt comfortable pulling the trigger.

“You have to look and see: What is the value where you’re at?” Saunders said, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. “What’s the value going to be in two months? What’s the value going to be at trading deadline? What’s it going to be next year?I just didn’t foresee Derrick being able to play much. And if a guy’s not playing, usually your value is not going to go up.”

Here’s more from around the Western Conference:

Thunder GM Sam Presti is prioritizing longevity and sustainability when it comes to roster-building and culture-building in Oklahoma City, as Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman details.
David Kahn‘s drafting of Williams in 2011 was understandable, since the forward was viewed as the consensus No. 2 pick at the time. But this week’s trade is the acknowledgment of another failure for the Timberwolves franchise and for the Kahn era, writes Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune.
Chatting with Mavericks fans on Tuesday, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News discussed the possibility of moving Shawn Marion, Jordan Farmar as a potential trade target, and why a playoff berth could help the Mavs in free agency.
After averaging 22.0 PPG in his first three contests with the Reno Bighorns, Ray McCallum has been recalled from the D-League by the Kings, the team announced today in a press release.
Current Pacers assistant Nate McMillan spoke extensively to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com about his time as head coach of the Trail Blazers, including his regrets about how he handled Nicolas Batum.

Odds & Ends: Cunningham, Odom, Fisher

November 22nd, 2013 at 10:50pm CST by Chuck Myron

No one expected either the Suns or the Sixers to have half a dozen wins less than a month into the season, but both teams captured their sixth victories tonight. Stories about tanking have been few in the wake of their success, but there’s plenty other news to pass along:

The Spurs and Lakers inquired with the Timberwolves about Dante Cunningham in the offseason, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, who figures those teams will be after him again when he hits free agency next summer (Twitter link).
Neither the Clippers nor Lamar Odom are rushing toward a deal, and after a few weeks both sides will probably have a better idea of whether he’ll join the team, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Derek Fisher re-signed with the Thunder for just the minimum salary, but he’s played an outsized role for the team so far, as The Oklahoman’s Darnell Mayberry examines.
Aggrey Sam of CSNChicago.com looks ahead to next summer for Jimmy Butler, who’ll be eligible for a rookie scale extension. Sam speculates that the Bulls will offer Butler a deal for about $8MM a year, and the scribe registers a few more guesses about what other top wing players approaching free agency will see on their next contracts.
The Mavericks made lots of changes to their roster in the offseason, and several newcomers are playing key roles in the team’s fast start. One of them is Jose Calderon, who discusses the smooth transition with HoopsWorld’s Alex Kennedy.
The Wolves renounced their rights to former second-round picks Tanguy Ngombo and Loukas Mavrokefalidis, notes Mark Deeks of ShamSports (Twitter links).

Offseason In Review: Oklahoma City Thunder

November 19th, 2013 at 3:18pm CST by Luke Adams

Hoops Rumors is in the process of looking back at each team’s offseason, from the end of the playoffs in June right up until opening night. Trades, free agent signings, draft picks, contract extensions, option decisions, camp invitees, and more will be covered, as we examine the moves each franchise made over the last several months.

Signings

Derek Fisher: One year, $1.4MM. Signed via minimum salary exception.
Ryan Gomes: One year, $1.19MM. Signed via minimum salary exception. Partially guaranteed for $75K.

Trades

Acquired the No. 26 pick in 2013 from the Warriors in exchange for the No. 29 pick in 2013 and $1MM in cash.
Acquired the No. 40 pick in 2013 from the Trail Blazers in exchange for cash.
Acquired the rights to Szymon Szewczyk from the Bucks in exchange for Kevin Martin (signed-and-traded to Timberwolves) and cash (to Timberwolves).

Draft Picks

Steven Adams (Round 1, 12th overall). Signed via rookie exception.
Andre Roberson (Round 1, 26th overall). Signed via rookie exception. Earning 80% of rookie scale amount in rookie season, and 120% thereafter.
Alex Abrines (Round 2, 32nd overall). Playing overseas.
Grant Jerrett (Round 2, 40th overall). Playing in D-League.

Camp Invitees

Diante Garrett
Rodney McGruder

Departing Players

Ronnie Brewer
DeAndre Liggins
Kevin Martin

Rookie Contract Option Decisions

Reggie Jackson (4th year, $2.20MM): Exercised
Perry Jones III (3rd year, $1.13MM): Exercised
Jeremy Lamb (3rd year, $2.20MM): Exercised

There was a perception that the Thunder took a step back last season after reaching the NBA Finals in 2012. That idea is a little unfair — Oklahoma City still racked up 60 wins, good for the top seed in the West, and would have been favored against Memphis in round two with a healthy Russell Westbrook. Losing James Harden prior to opening night a year ago may have meant taking a step back in terms of overall talent on the roster, but the Thunder are still a loaded team, with two elite players in Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

The belief that the Thunder had fallen behind other Western Conference contenders only gained traction this offseason, based on the club’s relative inactivity. And while it’s true that OKC’s presence on the free agent and trade market was virtually nonexistent, that’s not necessarily the worst thing for a team coming off back-to-back seasons with a .700+ winning percentage. Like the Bulls, the Thunder could look forward to having a star point guard return to their lineup. And unlike many title contenders, OKC tweaked the edges of its roster by continuing to add talent through the draft.

When the Thunder traded Harden last October, the club had two major goals: Maintaining financial flexibility and adding young, controllable talent. Even without a new, expensive contract for Harden, the team’s cap flexibility was limited this summer. There was already so much money committed to salaries for 2013/14 that OKC couldn’t make a serious run at a shooter like Dorell Wright — the free agent wing reportedly received his choice of one- or two-year offers from the Thunder before opting for the Trail Blazers instead. OKC eventually settled for Ryan Gomes on a non-guaranteed contract.

While the Thunder’s proximity to the tax limited its options in free agency, the draft picks and young players acquired in that Harden deal represented the team’s best chance to upgrade the roster. In addition to using its own late-first round pick (traded up from No. 29 to 26) to select Andre Roberson, Oklahoma City used one of the first-rounders obtained from Houston to select big man Steven Adams, who has looked better than expected in the early going.

In addition to Roberson and Adams, 2012 draftees Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones III appear poised to take on bigger roles after spending good chunks of last season in the D-League. While the duo’s frequent D-League assignments had some observers eager to write them off as busts, it looked to me like their time with the Tulsa 66ers was always part of OKC’s developmental plan. With Kevin Martin playing significant minutes in 2012/13, it made more sense for Lamb to get more frequent minutes and a more prominent role under the Thunder’s hand-picked coaches in Tulsa rather than sitting on the bench in Oklahoma City.

Of course, even with youngsters like Lamb, Adams, and Reggie Jackson expected to become a major part of the Thunder’s rotation, the team was reluctant to part with its veteran insurance. OKC’s apparent infatuation with Derek Fisher resulted in another guaranteed one-year deal worth the minimum salary. It’s not a major investment, and Fisher certainly isn’t the de facto coach that Juwan Howard has been in Miami in recent years. But presumably the Thunder would prefer to rely on the veteran point guard more for leadership than for crucial minutes in the spring.

Similarly, the Thunder continued to hang on to Kendrick Perkins, despite the team’s cap restrictions and Perkins’ dwindling usefulness. Amnestying Perkins would have allowed OKC to make a bigger offer to a mid-level-type shooter like Wright without worry of tax penalties. However, the cost-conscious Thunder seem reluctant to pay Perkins to play elsewhere, particularly if there’s a chance he could come back to haunt them for another Western team in the postseason. Personally, I’m unconvinced that Perkins still has the ability to make OKC seriously regret losing him, but perhaps ownership wasn’t comfortable with waiving him via amnesty.

The summer of 2013 probably isn’t one Thunder fans will be wistfully recalling years down the road. OKC didn’t land a huge free agent like the Clippers (Chris Paul) and Rockets (Dwight Howard), or pull off a big sign-and-trade like the Warriors (Andre Iguodala) and Timberwolves (Martin). The team didn’t even use the mid-level exception to add useful veterans like the Spurs (Marco Belinelli, Jeff Ayres). But by keeping their core intact and continuing to add complementary young pieces around their stars, the Thunder are ensuring they’re still very much a part of the championship conversation, and should remain a part of it for the next few years.

Northwest Notes: Sefolosha, Thunder, Jazz

November 18th, 2013 at 6:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s tonight’s look at the Northwest Division as the Blazers, Thunder, and Jazz look for Monday night victories..

There’s no guarantee that Thabo Sefolosha will return to the Thunder next season, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City has never allowed a player like Sefolosha, a five-year fixture in the rotation, to get to free agency, but the defensively-minded guard could be the first. The threat of the luxury tax looms large over OKC and they have a more pressing deal to try to get done with Reggie Jackson, a rising star who is eligible for an extension on July 1. Sefolosha has previously stated his desire to remain with the Thunder.
How good is Jabari Parker? One NBA assistant coach says the Duke star would be the best player on the Jazz today, writes Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv. While many have said that Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins is the undisputed top talent in the draft for months now, it appears that the tides have shifted in the last month or so with many execs saying that Parker or Julius Randle could be the first man off the board in June.
Thunder guard Derek Fisher says that he’ll leave nothing on the hardwood this season as it will definitely be his last, writes RealGM’s Shams Charania. “It’s my last season, so I don’t have to worry about pacing myself for next season per say,” Fisher said. “I’m trying to make sure that I’m ready every night for whatever the team needs me to do…it’s just about being a leader by example and continuing to show our guys that you help your team win by doing whatever it takes – not just things that show up on the stat sheet.”

Northwest Notes: Garrett, Durant, Wiggins

November 15th, 2013 at 12:23pm CST by Zachary Links

After recapping the Wolves offseason earlier today, let’s take a look at some links out of the Northwest Division..

New Jazz guard Diante Garrett made one heck of a first impression in his debut on Wednesday night, writes Jody Genessy of the Deseret News. The 25-year-old D-League call-up helped lead Utah to a 111-105 over New Orleans on Saturday night.
Count Thunder star Kevin Durant among those who are impressed with the top talent in the 2014 draft. Durant called Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins the “1A” and “1B” players in the class, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. KD says that Parker is the “real deal” and sees Wiggins as a future All-Star and Hall of Famer.
While promoting his new book, Jazz legend John Stockton was asked by reporters if he has any plans of returning the organization. “I wouldn’t rule anything out but I’m enjoying what I’m doing,” said the point guard, according to Steve Luhm of the Salt Lake Tribune (on Twitter).

Western Notes: Budinger, Blair, Lakers, Liggins, Eliyahu

November 14th, 2013 at 3:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports got T’Wolves fans excited today when he passed along news that Chase Budinger will return to Minnesota and has been cleared to resume basketball activity. However, the T’Wolves seem to be saying (via Twitter) that he may not start practicing right away. Here’s this afternoon’s look at the Western Conference..

Offseason acquisition DeJuan Blair could earn a regular the Mavericks‘ rotation, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com. When Brandan Wright returns from his right shoulder injury, Dallas will be saddled with a wonderful problem: two talented big men off of the bench who are hungry for playing time.
Ten games is enough to start evaluating the Lakers, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Kobe Bryant-less Lakers are 4-6, though offseason pickup Wesley Johnson has been among the team’s bright spots.
Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside wonders if DeAndre Liggins will be a candidate for D-League MVP this season. Schlosser believes that the former Thunder guard could rise up as this season’s Andrew Goudelock.
Israeli guard Lior Eliyahu, whose NBA draft rights are owned by the T’Wolves, has signed a three-year deal with Hapoel Jerusalem, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. It’s not clear if the deal includes an NBA out-clause. Minnesota acquired Eliyahu’s draft rights in the 2012 Chase Budinger trade with Houston. To keep track of everyone’s whereabouts from around the world, check out the Hoops Rumors International Tracker.

Amico On Turner, Young, Granger, Cousins

November 10th, 2013 at 8:25pm CST by Zachary Links

Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio has his weekly column posted; let’s dive in and take a look at the highlights..

If the Sixers start to slide and they turn their focus to the offseason, they could find a trade partner in the Mavericks. The two sides have yet to talk, but sources around the league wonder if Dallas might be interested in landing Evan Turner in an effort to make a playoff run and appease star Dirk Nowitzki. Turner wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg and a package of Shawn Marion and a draft pick would probably get the job done for the former No. 2 overall pick.
If the Sixers part with Turner, word around the league is that the Thunder and T-Wolves will also be among the teams with interest.
Sixers small forward Thaddeus Young is also off to a hot start and is likely to draw interest around the trade deadline or sooner. Young may be a little tougher to move than Turner at $8.6MM this year and $9.1MM next with a player option for $9.7MM in 2015), however.
With the Pacers off to a 7-0 start, league execs wonder what Danny Granger‘s role might be when he comes back from injury. With his expiring contract and recent injury history, it seems as if the Pacers would be receptive to moving him. If they do dangle Granger, they’ll probably seek out some backcourt help, specifically someone adept at handling the basketball.
One league exec told Amico, “If the Kings aren’t any good, mark my words: They’ll trade (DeMarcus) Cousins.” Cousins is still on his rookie contract this year, but has a max extension kicking in next season, which will make it trickier to trade him due to CBA rules, albeit not impossible.

Northwest Rumors: Martin, Thunder, Lopez

November 10th, 2013 at 11:53am CST by Chuck Myron

The Northwest Division is home to the NBA’s only winless team, the 0-7 Jazz, along with a struggling 1-4 Nuggets outfit. Still, the Thunder are one of a pair of teams in the league with just a single loss, and the Trail Blazers and Timberwolves are off to 4-2 starts. Here’s news on the three Northwest clubs who’ve impressed so far:

The Wolves made Kevin Martin a much better financial offer than the Thunder did this summer, but that’s not the only benefit of his decision to sign with Minnesota, writes Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. The Wolves are giving Martin a chance to start and play more than just a complementary role on a team with other marquee players.
Martin’s departure seemed to leave the Thunder‘s bench in disrepair, but Steven Adams and Jeremy Lamb, fruits of the James Harden deal, have combined with Derek Fisher to outperform three of the team’s starters, notes Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard tell Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com they feel more freedom to play aggressively on defense now that offseason trade acquisition Robin Lopez is protecting the rim for the Trail Blazers.
Lior Eliyahu is nearing a three-year deal with Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel, according to Roey Gladstone of Israeli Channel 5 TV (Twitter link; hat tip to Sportando’s Emiliano Carchia). The Wolves own the 28-year-old’s NBA rights, but it’s unclear if Eliyahu’s deal would allow him to leave for the NBA before the three years are up.

Odds & Ends: Aldridge, Blazers, Redick, Henry

November 8th, 2013 at 11:17pm CST by Chuck Myron

LaMarcus Aldridge hasn’t told coach Terry Stotts that he wants to remain in Portland long-term, but he hasn’t said he wants to get out, either, so the coach tells Jim Rome of CBS Sports Radio that he isn’t worried about a player he believes is content playing for the Blazers. Ben Golliver of Blazer’s Edge has a transcript of those comments, as well as the coach’s remarks on the contributions of new acquisition Robin Lopez toward what Stotts perceives as a changed culture on the team. Here’s more on other new additions around the Association:

Doc Rivers arrived in L.A. this summer with J.J. Redick atop his list of targets within the Clippers‘ price range, and he convinced Redick over dinner to come to the team, finally landing the player he’d sought multiple times while with the Celtics. Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com has the details.
Xavier Henry didn’t perform nearly as well in New Orleans as he is with the Lakers, and while Pelicans coach Monty Williams takes responsibility for his role in that, Henry doesn’t blame him, according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.
Lester Hudson is headed to play in China for the third straight season, inking a deal with Xinjiang, agent Brad Ames tells Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype (Twitter link). Hudson’s first trip East in 2011/12 resulted in late-season NBA stints with the Cavs and Grizzlies.
The Thunder have lost plenty with the departures of James Harden and Kevin Martin the past two offseasons, but Jeff Caplan of NBA.com thinks this could be the most complete Oklahoma City team yet, thanks to the team’s youthful bench.
Steven Adams, a member of that Thunder bench, has seen more minutes than starter Kendrick Perkins this year, but Caplan passes along Perkins’ praise for the rookie, and coach Scott Brooks isn’t concerned that Perkins will pout, The Oklahoman’s Darnell Mayberry notes.