Loud Links: 07|13|10

KD, Westbrook, Green=Kobe, LeBron, Wade? | Thunder Rumblings
The Thunder’s Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Jeff Green could become one of the biggest basketball stories the rest of this summer while competing for Team USA, which opens its 2010 training schedule next week in Las Vegas in preparation for the FIBA World Championship.

With all 12 members of the 2008 U.S. gold medalist team opting out of this summer’s games because of injuries, contract matters or personal reasons, OKC’s trio figures to emerge as the biggest torch bearers. And Kevin Durant stands as the most likely face of Team USA during the World Championship, which will be held from Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Instanbul, Turkey.

Searching for a better NBA trio than the Miami Heat's - ESPN Insider
Employing the star-studded template of a point guard, wing scorer and big man, imagine this triumvirate: Paul, Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard in Oklahoma City. Collectively, again using Paul's 2008-09 injury-free season, this group would edge the Miami trio with a total of 78.7 wins. The scary thing? Depending on how the new collective bargaining agreement shakes out, it could be a viable scenario down the road.

Cole Aldrich will have to earn his playing time | NewsOK.com
Aldrich, at least to start the season, is likely to play behind last year's starting center Nenad Krstic, who logged right at 23 minutes per game in 2009-10. Krstic's backup, customary power forward Nick Collison, played 20.8 minutes, and rookie forward Serge Ibaka received 18.1 minutes per game.

Heat, Bulls, Kings among NBA teams enjoying great offseasons - Britt Robson - SI.com
Nobody maximizes bit parts with the foresight and discipline of Thunder GM Sam Presti. While most of Presti's peers pile up assets and hope to sort it out later, he acquires pieces knowing exactly where they'll fit while always maneuvering for better leverage in the future.

The method to Dan Gilbert's madness - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN
The Cavs got two first-round picks, in the 2013 to 2017 range. They also got 2012 second-round pick that originally belonged to New Orleans and another from Oklahoma City, as well as the right to swap first-round picks with the Heat in 2012