Exactly what that asking price is will be made clear over the next six weeks as the Feb. 19 trading deadline nears and deals are consummated. The Thunder, however, will certainly be in the thick of this year’s trading flurry as it continues reconstructing its roster.
Oklahoma City is filled with attractive pieces, from players with expiring contracts in Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox and Desmond Mason, to veterans like Nick Collison and Earl Watson who could be valuable additions to playoff teams.
If we know anything about what kind of value general manager Sam Presti seeks, we know he covets players who fit his desired defensive philosophy, and we know he will not take on any high-priced contracts that will destroy the franchise’s upcoming salary-cap space.
Presti also has made it clear, through the recent signing of Nenad Krstic and the attempted signing of C.J. Miles last summer, that any acquisition must be a player capable of contributing now as well as in the future. A perimeter shooter, better interior defense and rebounding and improved scoring off the bench are obvious needs that could be addressed as well.
Given what we know today, here are five attractive trading partners for the Thunder.
→Milwaukee: Charlie Villanueva and Tyronn Lue have recently been rumored to be on the move, with the Thunder named as a potential landing spot. The 6-foot-11 Villanueva creates mismatches with his inside-outside game, while Lue is a savvy veteran point guard who knocks down open shots and is a tough on-ball defender.
→Toronto: Anthony Parker and former Oklahoma State standout Joey Graham were reportedly included in a package that would have sent Earl Watson to the Raptors, and now former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani is reportedly on the trading block as well. The Thunder could use Parker and Bargnani’s perimeter shooting and Graham’s defense and toughness.
→Utah: With an abundance of shooting guards, and the Jazz potentially scrambling to re-sign big men Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap this summer, sharpshooter Kyle Korver could be made available at a bargain price.
→Detroit: Arron Afflalo and Amir Johnson are young players who fill two pressing needs for the Thunder on the wing and in the post. The Pistons are high on Johnson, but the Thunder could sweeten the deal with a future draft pick.
→New Jersey:Oklahoma product Eduardo Najera plays with a toughness and defensive mindset the Thunder sorely lacks. Swingman Jarvis Hayes is a 3-point threat who could help off the bench.
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Thunderwear; There is a Larry in Yukon posting here? I am from OKC so don't know if you meant Paul from Yukon (real or fake) or not. I was correcting misinformation from another post so if that bothers you, oh well (you can always scroll past)
hey thUNDERWEAR - did you notice that all of the 'Seattle' comments are coming from OKC posters without provocation? You wonder why the nation is looking poorly at you? Just check out some of your 'hometown' comments on here and that is the reputation and representation of your population. And from the looks of it, it is pretty poor. But, go on, rip on Seattle or any place else - it just continuously shows everyone how immature, illiterate, uneducated, and pathetic some of the people there are. Way to represent.
No wonder they can't get an arena deal done it Washington, those people have a different set of "priorities"....OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The Washington state Legislature has the largest gay caucus in the country after a new representative was appointed to the House this year. Marko Liias' arrival gives Washington six openly gay lawmakers. "Anything that we can do, me as an individual, or us as a state, to be leaders on this issue and be role models is excellent," Liias told The Associated Press. "What I think it signifies for the state is that this is a very tolerant state and that voters are embracing people's sexual orientation," he said.
I wonder just how many of the current dunder players are secretly praying they get traded? Bet it's more than a couple of them, no matter the "spin" they put on how "wonderful" okaysee is...nothing like walking the company line..............
Hey Thudwear, perhaps they do all the talking about Seattle because there's nothing to talk about with the dunder? I think the 4-30 record has been beaten to death, and the opportunity for okaysee to be come home to the WORST team in NBA history is drawing closer and closer..face facts, the dunder appeal is waning rapidly, the dundermadness site is dead, and so are any articles on here..the dunder are dying a rapid death in okaysee(but they're giving the rest of the country something to laugh about, and okaysee is getting the recognition it deserves, the hick attitude is showing through on national channels)....
Bunch of pathetic morons. This has become larry from yukons world.
Hey larry, no one gives a sh!t, stop wasting your time!!!!!!!
I only browse for a second, because the commentary on this board is all about SHEattle and not about the article. Sorry bunch of losers, go get a real life and a job.....
merc on yah, ONE HORSE TOWN wrote: “No-way is okc larger than Sacramento, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Miami, Orlando or Salt Lake City. Ignorant, uneducated, lowly rednecks.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
It all depends on what the definition is, if you are talking about including the surrounding communities (Metropolitan Statistical Areas):
______________________________________________________________________________________
Miami is #7 (5,413,212). Atlanta is #9 (5,278,904). Minneapolis is #16 (3,208,212). Sacramento is #26 (2,091,120). Orlando is #27 (2,032,496). OKC ranks #44 (1,192,989) and Salt Lake City is #48 (1,099,973)
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sam, Goldsby’s post “...Doesn’t sound right, but I checked the latest census numbers. I guess they don’t count the burbs...” was talking about the residents that actually reside within the city limits, OKC is indeed “larger” than the cities you mentioned:
______________________________________________________________________________________
OKC (547,274). Atlanta (519,145). Sacramento (460,242). Miami (409,719). Minneapolis (372,833). Orlando (227,907). Salt Lake City (180,651)
No wonder they can't get an arena deal done it Washington, those people have a different set of "priorities"....OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The Washington state Legislature has the largest gay caucus in the country after a new representative was appointed to the House this year. Marko Liias' arrival gives Washington six openly gay lawmakers. "Anything that we can do, me as an individual, or us as a state, to be leaders on this issue and be role models is excellent," Liias told The Associated Press. "What I think it signifies for the state is that this is a very tolerant state and that voters are embracing people's sexual orientation," he said.
PS. your state is lame, flat and boring. less cow tipping is your bag its in no way a desirable destination. Its gotta be rough living in dallas's shadow.
merc on yah, ONE HORSE TOWN - Jan 5, 2009 at 10:05 pm
OKC is a ONE-HORSE town. Dallas's red headed step child. hah Not even that till recently. The most famous thing to come from OKC is that bombing that happened in the 90's. thats sad. No-way is okc larger than Sacramento, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Miami, Orlando or Salt Lake City. Ignorant, uneducated, lowly rednecks. Good luck on cracking the double digits mark in wins this season! Go Gators
merc on yah, ONE HORSE TOWN - Jan 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Meet former Creek County, Oklahoma District Judge Donald Thompson, who we sometimes refer to as “The Masturbating Judge”.
It seems that Thompson is in trouble with the law again.
No, not for playing with his sex toys in public, like previously.
This time Thompson was busted for allegedly driving while under the influence.
This after a state trooper saw a vehicle stopped on the outside shoulder of the Creek Turnpike east of Elwood Avenue, in Tulsa. When the trooper investigated he allegedly found the former judge to have slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and Thompson’s vehicle to have damage to the driver’s side and a flat tire.
Reportedly Thompson said he could not remember how his car got a flat tire and damage to its driver’s side. However the mystery did not remain a mystery for long as the trooper later discovered Thompson had had hit a bridge wall on the turnpike.
Allegedly Thompson’s breath test revealed a blood-alcohol content of 0.11 and he was arrested on a DUI charge.
Tulsa Jail records indicate that Thompson was arrested on a DUI charge at 3:00 a.m. on 12/05/08 and booked into the Tulsa jail at 5:30 a.m. Jail records also indicate that Thompson was released on $1,000 bond at 10:47 a.m. the same day.
Thompson in addition to being a former Creek County district judge is also a convicted felon and registered sex offender who was released from prison in April after serving two years of four one-year sentences on four felony counts of indecent exposure after being convicted on allegations that he used a penis pump, shaved his scrotum and masturbated while on the bench during trials in Creek County, Oklahoma in 2002 and 2003.
And the beat goes on. "Seattle is developing a national reputation for what it can't do. It can't keep a basketball team, can't fix its arena, can't build a light rail system, can't remove its snow."
It just keeps getting worse. "It felt cramped and uncomfortable. The crowd was loud, but the gym, which reopened in 1995, seemed old and tired. After visiting so many bigger, more comfortable arenas in Kansas City, Philadelphia, Portland and Glendale, Ariz., in recent months, I thought the state of KeyArena was embarrassing to a city the size of Seattle." Where's the love Steve.
"It looks tacky and small-time. And the Key seems dingy and forgotten, like some musty museum." Steve Kelley. He's being harsh, but it's true. Key has always been small time.
"It felt cramped and uncomfortable.
The crowd was loud, but the gym, which reopened in 1995, seemed old and tired. After visiting so many bigger, more comfortable arenas in Kansas City, Philadelphia, Portland and Glendale, Ariz., in recent months, I thought the state of KeyArena was embarrassing to a city the size of Seattle."
"It looks tacky and small-time. And the Key seems dingy and forgotten, like some musty museum." Steve Kelley.
He's being harsh, but it's true. Key has always been small time.
Clock is ticking for city's NBA hopes. What happened to the desire to remodel KeyArena? What happened to the push for another NBA team? Where is Seattle's civic pride? Steve Kelley....Seattle Times staff columnist
Clock is ticking for city's NBA hopes. What happened to the desire to remodel KeyArena? What happened to the push for another NBA team? Where is Seattle's civic pride? Steve Kelley....Seattle Times staff columnist
OKC too small? In population, Oklahoma City is bigger than Sacramento, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Miami, Orlando and Salt Lake City. Doesn't sound right, but I checked the latest census numbers. I guess they don't count the burbs. But attendance wise, the Thunder are number 12, right behind Boston.
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And you wonder why I have to sometimes apologize for my fellow Okies when I'm in another state?
Hey larry, no one gives a sh!t, stop wasting your time!!!!!!!
I only browse for a second, because the commentary on this board is all about SHEattle and not about the article. Sorry bunch of losers, go get a real life and a job.....
______________________________________________________________________________________
It all depends on what the definition is, if you are talking about including the surrounding communities (Metropolitan Statistical Areas):
______________________________________________________________________________________
Miami is #7 (5,413,212). Atlanta is #9 (5,278,904). Minneapolis is #16 (3,208,212). Sacramento is #26 (2,091,120). Orlando is #27 (2,032,496). OKC ranks #44 (1,192,989) and Salt Lake City is #48 (1,099,973)
______________________________________________________________________________________
Sam, Goldsby’s post “...Doesn’t sound right, but I checked the latest census numbers. I guess they don’t count the burbs...” was talking about the residents that actually reside within the city limits, OKC is indeed “larger” than the cities you mentioned:
______________________________________________________________________________________
OKC (547,274). Atlanta (519,145). Sacramento (460,242). Miami (409,719). Minneapolis (372,833). Orlando (227,907). Salt Lake City (180,651)
______________________________________________________________________________________
If you are defining “larger” as being land mass or square miles the city limits comprise, OKC is by far the largest of the cities you mentioned
______________________________________________________________________________________
OKC (621.2 sq mi). Atlanta (132.4 sq mi.). Salt Lake City (110.4 sq mi). Orlando (101.0 sq mi). Sacramento (99.2 sq mi). Minneapolis (58.4 sq mi). Miami (55.27 sq mi)
______________________________________________________________________________________
NBA TV markets are another matter entirely...
It seems that Thompson is in trouble with the law again.
No, not for playing with his sex toys in public, like previously.
This time Thompson was busted for allegedly driving while under the influence.
This after a state trooper saw a vehicle stopped on the outside shoulder of the Creek Turnpike east of Elwood Avenue, in Tulsa. When the trooper investigated he allegedly found the former judge to have slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and Thompson’s vehicle to have damage to the driver’s side and a flat tire.
Reportedly Thompson said he could not remember how his car got a flat tire and damage to its driver’s side. However the mystery did not remain a mystery for long as the trooper later discovered Thompson had had hit a bridge wall on the turnpike.
Allegedly Thompson’s breath test revealed a blood-alcohol content of 0.11 and he was arrested on a DUI charge.
Tulsa Jail records indicate that Thompson was arrested on a DUI charge at 3:00 a.m. on 12/05/08 and booked into the Tulsa jail at 5:30 a.m. Jail records also indicate that Thompson was released on $1,000 bond at 10:47 a.m. the same day.
Thompson in addition to being a former Creek County district judge is also a convicted felon and registered sex offender who was released from prison in April after serving two years of four one-year sentences on four felony counts of indecent exposure after being convicted on allegations that he used a penis pump, shaved his scrotum and masturbated while on the bench during trials in Creek County, Oklahoma in 2002 and 2003.
"Seattle is developing a national reputation for what it can't do.
It can't keep a basketball team, can't fix its arena, can't build a light rail system, can't remove its snow."
"It felt cramped and uncomfortable.
The crowd was loud, but the gym, which reopened in 1995, seemed old and tired. After visiting so many bigger, more comfortable arenas in Kansas City, Philadelphia, Portland and Glendale, Ariz., in recent months, I thought the state of KeyArena was embarrassing to a city the size of Seattle."
Where's the love Steve.
He's being harsh, but it's true. Key has always been small time.