Thunder in advanced discussions with Donovan

[Moranis]

I'm really starting to warm up to the idea that Durant might get traded.

Thunder get:  Draymond Green (S/T max), Sullinger, 2015 Bos 1st, 2015 Lac 1st, 2016 Bkl 1st

Golden State gets:  AB, Crowder (S/T) & Bass (S/T), 2016 Phil 2nd, 2016 Minn 2nd

Boston gets:  Kevin Durant


Its amazing to think we could swing a three way deal like this -- give away 3 firsts and 2 seconds -- and we'd still have 3 picks in this draft (Phil 2nd, Wash 2nd + our own) and next year we'd still have 2 first (ours & Mavs) along with 3 other seconds (Heat, Cavs, Mavs).  Not to mention the future BKL picks to build around this core-

IT, Turner
Smart, Young
Durant
Olynyk, Jerebko
Zeller

even if that was anywhere near enough value for Durant (it isn't by the way), there is no way that trade would be made as you can't sign and trade players before the draft and thus OKC wouldn't even control the 2015 picks.  However, OKC is likely paying the luxury tax this year which means they can't acquire players sign and traded anyway making the trade impossible.

But again, if OKC trades Durant they will get a heck of a lot more than Green, Sullinger, and three late 1st rounders.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I like Jeff Van Gundy and Alvin Gentry ideas, they've had limited head coaching opportunities and haven't been around recently as head coaches, so that's something a bit fresh in that regard.

They both also had some pretty notable successes as coaches.  Their tenures were not unsuccessful.

Gentry coached one of my favorite teams of all time, the 2010 Suns, and JVG, of course, coached the 8th seed Knicks that went to the Finals, and some pretty solid Tracy McGrady / Yao Rockets teams.

Which is why I liked them as options, but I still prefer to see more new blood coming into the league. But considering their resume, it would be a shame if they were interested and not get a coaching job because they do deserve to be coaching.

[alldaboston]

I'm with Amin Elhassan on this one.  Thunder should hire Alvin Gentry instead.

The other name I've wanted to see get another coaching gig for a while now is Jeff Van Gundy.

Not Jeff Van Gundy! I love his commentary! Get rid of Mark Jackson and his commentary lol.

[Endless Paradise]

OKC isn't trading Kevin Durant.

[BornReady]

He should involve durant and Westbrook in coach decision
It may play a part in whether they resign

[Endless Paradise]

Something tells me that picking a good coach who helps them win would play the biggest part in getting them to re-sign.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Seems like the deal is being finalized:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--florida-s-billy-donovan-finalizing-deal-to-become-thunder-coach-155535958.html

[Moranis]

Looks like it is done.  Donovan is the next Thunder coach.

[apc]

NBA needs fresh coaches, anything that stops the recycling of unsuccessful NBA coaches I'm all for.

Amen to that.

[Who]

Durant said he was excited when hearing the news of Donovan's hire.

"When you don't have a coach, it's a lot of uncertainty in the building," Durant said in a phone interview. "But coming into the practice facility today, I felt like it was the next step for us. It was an exciting feeling for everybody that was there at the gym today to learn that we got Billy as our coach."

According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, Durant had sent "optimistic signals" about playing for Donovan, having done his own research on the coach.

The Thunder kept in regular contact with Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka throughout the process, but never specifically asked for approval on Donovan or any other specific coach. Sources close to the situation told ESPN's Shelburne the team didn't want to put them in that position, but that they had ample opportunity to speak up.

"I wouldn't say it matters," Durant said of Donovan's perceived lack of experience. "If you know how to coach a team, that's all that matters. He's been at one of the highest levels of basketball and won a title. That's tough to do.

"So you can't just downplay what he's done in the college ranks and just automatically say he's not going to be great in the pros. He produced a lot of pros and they all love him.

"The only thing that will be different, to be honest, is just the schedule and the amount of practice time you may have and the travel. But other than that, I think he'll adapt pretty quickly."

"I reached out to Chandler Parsons and Mike Miller, and they just told me great things," Durant said. "Mike told me that he's real detailed and prepared. Every day is just another day for him to get better. And he's always looking to learn. I was excited when I heard that because that's the type of player I am."

"But I know he's going to do a good job because from what I've heard he works extremely hard, his attention to detail is one of the best and everybody's been telling me he's an NBA coach coaching in college. So I'm excited. I'm very excited to learn from him and get better from him and try my best to do whatever he tells me to do. I can't wait to get started."

[Celtics4ever]

I wonder if Westbrook will want to go back to being second fiddle.   I am thinking he may not.

[Endless Paradise]

Why wouldn't he? He's already publicly come out in recent months saying he's fine playing his role as secondary star on the Thunder because he prefers winning over the glory of having his own team.