The Perfect Mentor For Our Next Big 3

[GreenlyGreeny]

Just give us quality depth pieces like Hill and Ariza and we'll be golden

People really underestimate how playing crap players as key rotation pieces tanks a team.

100% this. Except Pritchard (and obviously the Super J Bros.), our young guys suck which is why we suck. We need some quality veterans on this team sooooo badly.

[Somebody]

Just give us quality depth pieces like Hill and Ariza and we'll be golden

People really underestimate how playing crap players as key rotation pieces tanks a team.

100% this. Except Pritchard (and obviously the Super J Bros.), our young guys suck which is why we suck. We need some quality veterans on this team sooooo badly.

We don't need big trades to get those players though, we can do that with minor trades via the Poirier and Kanter TPEs or even use them in the buyout market (Ariza is probably going to be bought out, he's a pretty good 3 and D wing who started for a decent Blazers team last year).

[Jvalin]

Just give us quality depth pieces like Hill and Ariza and we'll be golden

People really underestimate how playing crap players as key rotation pieces tanks a team.

100% this. Except Pritchard (and obviously the Super J Bros.), our young guys suck which is why we suck. We need some quality veterans on this team sooooo badly.

We don't need big trades to get those players though, we can do that with minor trades via the Poirier and Kanter TPEs or even use them in the buyout market (Ariza is probably going to be bought out, he's a pretty good 3 and D wing who started for a decent Blazers team last year).

Don't think we are the favorites to land these guys via the buyout market. I bet the LA teams, the Nets, the Bucks, the Sixers, etc have way better chances than we do. Our last marquee signing via the buyout market was Greg Monroe. Thing is, we could offer him more money than other teams cause we had a Disabled Player Exception that season. Unfortunately, Monroe proved to be a rather pointless acquisition, but that's a whole nother story.

Hill has 2 years left on his contract. I don't expect the Thunder to buy him out. If we want him, we can trade for him. That said, I don't think he'd fill a need for us. I mean, we already got at least 3 rotation-caliber ball handlers in Kemba, Smart and Pritchard. Fwiw, I'm a big fan of Hill's game.

[Somebody]

Just give us quality depth pieces like Hill and Ariza and we'll be golden

People really underestimate how playing crap players as key rotation pieces tanks a team.

100% this. Except Pritchard (and obviously the Super J Bros.), our young guys suck which is why we suck. We need some quality veterans on this team sooooo badly.

We don't need big trades to get those players though, we can do that with minor trades via the Poirier and Kanter TPEs or even use them in the buyout market (Ariza is probably going to be bought out, he's a pretty good 3 and D wing who started for a decent Blazers team last year).

Don't think we are the favorites to land these guys via the buyout market. I bet the LA teams, the Nets, the Bucks, the Sixers, etc have way better chances than we do. Our last marquee signing via the buyout market was Greg Monroe. Thing is, we could offer him more money than other teams cause we had a Disabled Player Exception that season. Unfortunately, Monroe proved to be a rather pointless acquisition, but that's a whole nother story.

Hill has 2 years left on his contract. I don't expect the Thunder to buy him out. If we want him, we can trade for him. That said, I don't think he'd fill a need for us. I mean, we already got at least 3 rotation-caliber ball handlers in Kemba, Smart and Pritchard. Fwiw, I'm a big fan of Hill's game.

That's where our TPEs step in - I doubt that those guys would refuse millions of extra money to play a larger role on a team that can compete for a championship with better depth pieces.

Hill's deal is partially-guaranteed for a very small amount next year, so the Thunder wouldn't be taking a big cap hit next season if they buy him out.

[Jvalin]

Just give us quality depth pieces like Hill and Ariza and we'll be golden

People really underestimate how playing crap players as key rotation pieces tanks a team.

100% this. Except Pritchard (and obviously the Super J Bros.), our young guys suck which is why we suck. We need some quality veterans on this team sooooo badly.

We don't need big trades to get those players though, we can do that with minor trades via the Poirier and Kanter TPEs or even use them in the buyout market (Ariza is probably going to be bought out, he's a pretty good 3 and D wing who started for a decent Blazers team last year).

Don't think we are the favorites to land these guys via the buyout market. I bet the LA teams, the Nets, the Bucks, the Sixers, etc have way better chances than we do. Our last marquee signing via the buyout market was Greg Monroe. Thing is, we could offer him more money than other teams cause we had a Disabled Player Exception that season. Unfortunately, Monroe proved to be a rather pointless acquisition, but that's a whole nother story.

Hill has 2 years left on his contract. I don't expect the Thunder to buy him out. If we want him, we can trade for him. That said, I don't think he'd fill a need for us. I mean, we already got at least 3 rotation-caliber ball handlers in Kemba, Smart and Pritchard. Fwiw, I'm a big fan of Hill's game.

That's where our TPEs step in - I doubt that those guys would refuse millions of extra money to play a larger role on a team that can compete for a championship with better depth pieces.

Hill's deal is partially-guaranteed for a very small amount next year, so the Thunder wouldn't be taking a big cap hit next season if they buy him out.

We cannot use the TPEs to sign a free agent unless it's a sign and trade. Bought out players cannot be signed and traded.

You are right on Hill. Turns out he's guaranteed only $1,275,491 for next season. Even so, don't you think the Thunder can net a second rounder for him? Personally speaking, my ideal buyout candidate would be Otto Porter. If we promise him a starting role, we might persuade him to sign with us. It's a long shot, but I reckon he'd fit our system like a glove!

Kemba - Brown - Porter - Tatum - Theis

6th man: Smart

[Vermont Green]

I don't see Otto Porter helping us.  He is injured with nothing but questions regarding his status and desire to play

Porter last played Feb. 1 against the Knicks but was laboring through that game with the back woes that have hampered him most of the season.  He has missed 11 games, and there seems to be little clarity on a return. Porter appears to be looking for answers regarding long-term issues caused by his lingering back problems.

Billy Donovan said. “He’s progressing and working through things, but he’s still not doing anything on the court.  ‘‘He’s doing stuff in the weight room. He’s doing strengthening and rehabilitation and just having people look at him to find out what some of the issues and challenges are that he needs to work through.  It’s just a matter of him getting stronger and feeling more comfortable, getting rid of the discomfort that he is dealing with when he does certain movements and certain activities, but I don’t really know about a timetable for him to come back.’’

I feel it is unlikely that the buy him out (why would they) and even if they did, not sure how much he is going to be able to play.

[Somebody]

Just give us quality depth pieces like Hill and Ariza and we'll be golden

People really underestimate how playing crap players as key rotation pieces tanks a team.

100% this. Except Pritchard (and obviously the Super J Bros.), our young guys suck which is why we suck. We need some quality veterans on this team sooooo badly.

We don't need big trades to get those players though, we can do that with minor trades via the Poirier and Kanter TPEs or even use them in the buyout market (Ariza is probably going to be bought out, he's a pretty good 3 and D wing who started for a decent Blazers team last year).

Don't think we are the favorites to land these guys via the buyout market. I bet the LA teams, the Nets, the Bucks, the Sixers, etc have way better chances than we do. Our last marquee signing via the buyout market was Greg Monroe. Thing is, we could offer him more money than other teams cause we had a Disabled Player Exception that season. Unfortunately, Monroe proved to be a rather pointless acquisition, but that's a whole nother story.

Hill has 2 years left on his contract. I don't expect the Thunder to buy him out. If we want him, we can trade for him. That said, I don't think he'd fill a need for us. I mean, we already got at least 3 rotation-caliber ball handlers in Kemba, Smart and Pritchard. Fwiw, I'm a big fan of Hill's game.

That's where our TPEs step in - I doubt that those guys would refuse millions of extra money to play a larger role on a team that can compete for a championship with better depth pieces.

Hill's deal is partially-guaranteed for a very small amount next year, so the Thunder wouldn't be taking a big cap hit next season if they buy him out.

We cannot use the TPEs to sign a free agent unless it's a sign and trade. Bought out players cannot be signed and traded.

You are right on Hill. Turns out he's guaranteed only $1,275,491 for next season. Even so, don't you think the Thunder can net a second rounder for him? Personally speaking, my ideal buyout candidate would be Otto Porter. If we promise him a starting role, we might persuade him to sign with us. It's a long shot, but I reckon he'd fit our system like a glove!

Kemba - Brown - Porter - Tatum - Theis

6th man: Smart

We can.

What happens if a team and player reach a buyout agreement, then the player is claimed off waivers?

Waiver claims are rare in the NBA, particularly for players earning more than the minimum salary. If a team doesn’t have the cap room available to fit a waived player’s salary, that team needs a trade exception or disabled player exception big enough to accommodate that player’s salary. Otherwise, it can’t place a claim.

I don't think they can get a second rounder for Hill - he doesn't move the needle for teams who have the salary filler to trade for him and the teams who could really use him just don't have the salaries to match his contract even with the help of the 125% rule without either gutting their depth or trading away a key rotation piece/prospects who they don't want to let go.

[Jvalin]

Just give us quality depth pieces like Hill and Ariza and we'll be golden

People really underestimate how playing crap players as key rotation pieces tanks a team.

100% this. Except Pritchard (and obviously the Super J Bros.), our young guys suck which is why we suck. We need some quality veterans on this team sooooo badly.

We don't need big trades to get those players though, we can do that with minor trades via the Poirier and Kanter TPEs or even use them in the buyout market (Ariza is probably going to be bought out, he's a pretty good 3 and D wing who started for a decent Blazers team last year).

Don't think we are the favorites to land these guys via the buyout market. I bet the LA teams, the Nets, the Bucks, the Sixers, etc have way better chances than we do. Our last marquee signing via the buyout market was Greg Monroe. Thing is, we could offer him more money than other teams cause we had a Disabled Player Exception that season. Unfortunately, Monroe proved to be a rather pointless acquisition, but that's a whole nother story.

Hill has 2 years left on his contract. I don't expect the Thunder to buy him out. If we want him, we can trade for him. That said, I don't think he'd fill a need for us. I mean, we already got at least 3 rotation-caliber ball handlers in Kemba, Smart and Pritchard. Fwiw, I'm a big fan of Hill's game.

That's where our TPEs step in - I doubt that those guys would refuse millions of extra money to play a larger role on a team that can compete for a championship with better depth pieces.

Hill's deal is partially-guaranteed for a very small amount next year, so the Thunder wouldn't be taking a big cap hit next season if they buy him out.

We cannot use the TPEs to sign a free agent unless it's a sign and trade. Bought out players cannot be signed and traded.

You are right on Hill. Turns out he's guaranteed only $1,275,491 for next season. Even so, don't you think the Thunder can net a second rounder for him? Personally speaking, my ideal buyout candidate would be Otto Porter. If we promise him a starting role, we might persuade him to sign with us. It's a long shot, but I reckon he'd fit our system like a glove!

Kemba - Brown - Porter - Tatum - Theis

6th man: Smart

We can.

What happens if a team and player reach a buyout agreement, then the player is claimed off waivers?

Waiver claims are rare in the NBA, particularly for players earning more than the minimum salary. If a team doesn’t have the cap room available to fit a waived player’s salary, that team needs a trade exception or disabled player exception big enough to accommodate that player’s salary. Otherwise, it can’t place a claim.

I don't think they can get a second rounder for Hill - he doesn't move the needle for teams who have the salary filler to trade for him and the teams who could really use him just don't have the salaries to match his contract even with the help of the 125% rule without either gutting their depth or trading away a key rotation piece/prospects who they don't want to let go.

Fair enough, we can claim them off the waivers list. Technically speaking, they'd never hit free agency. We'd have to pay them their full salary though. Not sure whether it would be a wise use of the TPE. For instance, we'd have to pay Ariza $12,800,000.

Agree to disagree on Hill. I guess time will tell. I'd love us to sign him via the buyout market. Don't think we need him, but I really like his game!

I don't see Otto Porter helping us.  He is injured with nothing but questions regarding his status and desire to play

I feel it is unlikely that the buy him out (why would they) and even if they did, not sure how much he is going to be able to play.

Cause
- he hits free agency this offseason --> no long-term cap hit for the Bulls if they buy him out
- he's on a massive untradeable contract
- he doesn't fit their time window. They play Patrick Williams ahead of him who was the 4th pick in the 2020 draft.

Agreed that he's injury prone. If we can sign him for the minimum, I'd gladly take the risk. Problem is, the Bulls are just 1 win behind the 8th seed right now. That said, it's possible that they decide to tank the season as we approach the trade deadline.

[todd_days_41]

Newsflash: Horford already "mentored" Brown and Tatum. Then he signed with the Sixers for a few extra bucks.

Enjoy Oklahoma, Al.

[action781]

We can’t afford to keep Collins next year. Why do we give up that much for a rental

Where is this myth that we can’t afford another contract coming from? The Cs literally offered Hayward 4 years and almost $110 million dollars. I don’t think re-signing Collins would be an issue.

Yeah, right? I keep hearing this too.

We can afford him (it would hurt Wyc, but that's not our problem!)

To offer 1 player (Collins or Hayward) that is one thing.

To offer that player that and also take in Horford's $25+ mil per year as well, which was proposed, is a lot more because Horford's $25 mil will turn into who knows how much once you factor in luxury tax rates.  My guess would be something like $75 mil in total (salary + tax) for each season of Al Horford.  That's a lot.

[PAOBoston]

We can’t afford to keep Collins next year. Why do we give up that much for a rental

Where is this myth that we can’t afford another contract coming from? The Cs literally offered Hayward 4 years and almost $110 million dollars. I don’t think re-signing Collins would be an issue.

Yeah, right? I keep hearing this too.

We can afford him (it would hurt Wyc, but that's not our problem!)

To offer 1 player (Collins or Hayward) that is one thing.

To offer that player that and also take in Horford's $25+ mil per year as well, which was proposed, is a lot more because Horford's $25 mil will turn into who knows how much once you factor in luxury tax rates.  My guess would be something like $75 mil in total (salary + tax) for each season of Al Horford.  That's a lot.

The ship on Al Horford has sailed imo. The Cs didn’t offer him the contract he wanted then so not sure why they would want him now a bad contract when he’s two years older.

[Moranis]

I have no interest in Average Al.  He isn't going to put the team over the top this year and he is too old to play a meaningful role when Tatum and Brown are truly ready.  That is the exact type of move Ainge has been making however, so I wouldn't be surprised if he did it again.  It just isn't the smart move at this point.

[gouki88]

We can’t afford to keep Collins next year. Why do we give up that much for a rental

Where is this myth that we can’t afford another contract coming from? The Cs literally offered Hayward 4 years and almost $110 million dollars. I don’t think re-signing Collins would be an issue.

Yeah, right? I keep hearing this too.

We can afford him (it would hurt Wyc, but that's not our problem!)

To offer 1 player (Collins or Hayward) that is one thing.

To offer that player that and also take in Horford's $25+ mil per year as well, which was proposed, is a lot more because Horford's $25 mil will turn into who knows how much once you factor in luxury tax rates.  My guess would be something like $75 mil in total (salary + tax) for each season of Al Horford.  That's a lot.

Totally. That’s why I don’t want Horford at all. He can enjoy being stuck on a rebuilding team, given he went to a rival for money.

Have fun watching the playoffs from home like the rest of us Al

[Vermont Green]

There are really two debates going on within this.  One is over Horford and the other is Collins.  These are really two entirely different things.  If you could get Collins by sending out some combination of Williams, Langford, Nesmith, and Teague, plus some of all those picks, that is one thing.  I think I would be open to some form of a deal out of all that.  Maybe it is Williams and Langford plus picks (at least 1 future first) for Collins.

But then the Horford piece can be looked at separately.  We are hard capped so in order to bring in Horford with the big TPE, something has to go out.   So in this case it is something like Nesmith and Teague going out (based on the pieces in the OP).  I don't think that is a good deal for Horford unless OKC gives us a pick or two, certainly not us sending out more picks.

The Horford deal that is more realistic in my mind (but still very unlikely) is to send out Kemba and take back Horford and Hill (I know he is out right now).  OKC does this if they think they can get Kemba back to full strength and trade him as an all star level player in the off season for more assets than they gave up to get him (essentially flip him).  We do it to add depth, certainty, and get some cap relief sooner.  Maybe we can get a pick out of them as well.

Kemba is the risk or unknown.  You don't know if you are trading a player that is on the way to returning to all star level or a player that is one bad landing from being out for the season or just due to regress when his infusion wears off.  Things continue to look good for him though.  He is getting better but has a ways to go still.