Thunder trade for Etan Thomas

We were able to get a relatively cheap veteran, in exchange for dumping two who didn’t add anything to the roster. Hopefully Thomas can help the front court depth and ability, if not well we got two second rounders. pretty good for us overall I think.

he’ll open up another roster spot. It’s easier to move one expiring contract than it is two, and he’s from Oklahoma!

get a guy, that when healthy, can be a defensive/rebounding presence we need at the center spot. He is also in the last year of his deal which hopefully means he will produce above his normal production as he looks toward getting a contract next season.

We also trade two guys who weren’t going to be seeing much, if any, playing time and pick up two 2nd rounders.

A move to basically dump salary and pick up some 2nd rounders. If Thomas produces than great.

I think a Collison to Bobacts for one of their centers trade could come in the next few days. Chandler for Okafor is in the works right now and if Diop/Nazr aren’t part of the deal that gives Charlotte 3 C’s and they would be lacking at the PF spot.

Injury issues aside, I was very happy when I saw this trade. Wilkins is nothing and I doubt Atkins suits up. Ever. Etan Thomas has been very productive when actually on the court as well. Especially in the areas we need help. So at worst we get 2 more 2nd round draft picks, which is more than we got for a better player in the Earl Watson buyout.

I would love this to set up a trade for DeSagana Diop. Although, only if it is indeed for Diop, as I have no interest in Nazr Mohammed.

 Also, I would not be a fan of losing Nick Collison in order to make it happen either. However, Collison would have to go to make the salaries match, unless, Charlotte wanted to throw in Dontell Jefferson as well.

Which is possible since Charlotte just drafted Alexis Ajinca last year and Gerald Henderson this year. Very unlikely though, because we would then have to send Serge Ibaka or Byron(BJ) Mullens to the D-League to make room on the roster.

I don’t think many of us personally would mind Mullens playing a year in the D-League, but that just seems like a lot of movement for back-ups and band-aids.

Then there is the fact that Diop has a three year deal on the books currently. So in the most feasible of scenarios, sending Collison to Charlotte for Diop straight up, would essentially be trading a fan favorite for a few inches in height and a slight edge in shot blocking. And let’s not forget that Diop is not at all as consistent as Collison has been.

So in the end, I actually don’t see this setting up another move. This, to me, is simply a very good plug until the 2010 draft in which we draft our center for the future, or at least hope to.

I might be developing a bit of a man crush on Mr. Presti. He is pushing all the right buttons and making all the right moves for a team on the rise and one with a very bright future. No panic. He is a man with a plan, a very good plan, and he is sticking to it.

How can you NOT love this team, front office, and most of all, the great state of Oklahoma!

Sorry, got a little cheesy at the end but I think we all know where it was coming from.

“Will you give me one marginal NBA player who’s a great locker-room guy and influence for two marginal NBA players? Oh, and hey, give me a bunch of early second-round picks.”
“OK!!!!”
I wonder what Kahn’s thinking about. Are the contracts Presti traded away both expiring? Is he saving money?
I’m confused.

Wilkens has another year on his contract I believe

The reason I brought up Nazr, were the contracts match, both money and length wise. Charlotte has not PF’s other than Diaw and we would have 5 PF’s here. We could also use their dearth of PF’s to get back future picks(2nd rounders, but you can never have too many of those).

I think the most important thing will be the attitude/toughness he brings. He is gonna make every practice that much more intense b/c of the way he plays. He is also gonna challenge Mullens/Ibaka/our young PF/C to get tougher otherwise they get bullied and shut down by a guy half(at best) as talented as they are and are probably bouncing around the league their entire careers. Being soft is a real quick way to find yourself without many contract offers in a few years.