If Durant leaves, what about Love for Ibaka?

[jpotter33]

So let me premise this by stating that if Durant leaves, I wholeheartedly believe the best thing for the Thunder to do is sell off Westbrook and Ibaka to the highest bidder. I still hold that OKC could get the number two pick and at least one of Russell and Randle from the Lakers. Hell, I think even Boston might entertain a number three for Ibaka pick, so they could legitimately rebuild really quickly by going this route.

However, I could also see them trying to reload around Westbrook to convince him to stay long-term in 2017, which I think is ultimately a fool's errand. They could then try and trade Ibaka to Cleveland for Love, which seems like a win-win scenario for both sides.

First, for OKC, this brings Westbrook his UCLA buddy to try and convince him to sign long-term in 2017. Further, Love is a more natural second option after Westbrook, and he would seemingly be a nice fit alongside Adams. If they could make enough space to try and sign someone like Crabbe this offseason, they could roll into next year with a lineup of Westbrook, Crabbe, Roberson, Love, and Adams, which is still probably a top-3 or 4 team in the West. And, if the worst case scenario happens and they don't mesh well or are playing below their skill level at the trade deadline, I still think the Lakers would be more than willing to take BOTH off of their hands for a hefty sum.

Second, for Cleveland, though Ibaka is not an absolute perfect fit at 4 on Cleveland, he is a much better fit than Love as a stretch-4 next to TT or Frye. He'd be an excellent third option behind Lebron and Kyrie, and his improved outside shot would make him fit right into their offense, while also vastly improving their defense. The best thing would be his contract, though, because he'd come off the books in 2017, allowing Cleveland to reload again with more cap space due to the exploding cap.

I still don't think they'd beat the Warriors by replacing Love with Ibaka, because I think Kyrie is more of an issue than Love, though I don't think Cleveland can upgrade all that much from him this offseason.

So what do you think? Would this be a good two-way deal for these teams if Durant would leave OKC?

[jpotter33]

Anybody? lol

[Ilikesports17]

If KD leaves OKC then all that matters is that OKC remains a better team than Brooklyn.

[Who]

Good trade for Cleveland although I think they could do better. Most of the other K-Love trade ideas had a better player than Ibaka heading their way.

Good trade for OKC. Gives them a 2nd scoring option. Gives them a big man who can actually pass the ball. Spells the end of Enes Kanter though. Can't keep Kanter and K-Love together. Need to trade Kanter somewhere else. Hopefully for a wing.

[jpotter33]

Good trade for Cleveland although I think they could do better. Most of the other K-Love trade ideas had a better player than Ibaka heading their way.

Good trade for OKC. Gives them a 2nd scoring option. Gives them a big man who can actually pass the ball. Spells the end of Enes Kanter though. Can't keep Kanter and K-Love together. Need to trade Kanter somewhere else. Hopefully for a wing.

Yeah, I forgot about Kanter being there, too. What wing prospect could they potentially trade Kanter for, though? Perhaps MKG with Big Al most likely leaving Charlotte/

[Csfan1984]

You probably have to do Kanter and Ibaka for Love and Thompson.

[Who]

Good trade for Cleveland although I think they could do better. Most of the other K-Love trade ideas had a better player than Ibaka heading their way.

Good trade for OKC. Gives them a 2nd scoring option. Gives them a big man who can actually pass the ball. Spells the end of Enes Kanter though. Can't keep Kanter and K-Love together. Need to trade Kanter somewhere else. Hopefully for a wing.

Yeah, I forgot about Kanter being there, too. What wing prospect could they potentially trade Kanter for, though? Perhaps MKG with Big Al most likely leaving Charlotte/

There isn't any real obvious options for OKC. Maybe that changes further down the road.

Not a prospect but Trevor Ariza could be a viable target. Gives them a starting caliber SF to replace Durant. Houston gets a young big man with offensive talent.

[LarBrd33]

Anybody? lol

Not a bad idea.  I like the UCLA connection.   But honestly, if Durant leaves, OKC should strongly consider moving Westbrook.   There are rumors he's probably going to the Lakers regardless of KD's decision.

[action781]

I couldn't read your entire post because I disagreed with the premise.

So let me premise this by stating that if Durant leaves, I wholeheartedly believe the best thing for the Thunder to do is sell off Westbrook and Ibaka to the highest bidder.  I still hold that OKC could get the number two pick and at least one of Russell and Randle from the Lakers.

If they can get a huge haul like #2 and DA, then take it.  But I don't think they do a massive sell off just for the sake of doing one.  They have a 27-year-old top 10 player in the league and the odds of getting back another player like that down the road from a trade is very small.

Russ was lighting the league on fire when Durant was hurt and he's probably even better without Durant.  You bring Russ in, try to convince him of that very statement and that you want to build a team of complementary pieces around him.  A team like:  Russ, Bazemore, H. Barnes/Parsons/Batum, Ibaka, Adams with a competent bench.