If OKC maxes Enes Kanter, can we move on Steven Adams?

[Evantime34]

I would absolutely trade any of our bigs and a pick to get Adams. He has a high ceiling a defensive 5.

[CelticGuardian]

OKC won't max out a guy like Kanter when they are already over the salary cap.

[Evantime34]

OKC won't max out a guy like Kanter when they are already over the salary cap.

They aren't going to pinch pennies the year before Durant is a free agent. They are going to show him that they are willing to spend even if it's not true long term.

[CelticGuardian]

OKC won't max out a guy like Kanter when they are already over the salary cap.

They aren't going to pinch pennies the year before Durant is a free agent. They are going to show him that they are willing to spend even if it's not true long term.

That's ridiculous. They are already paying Ibaka 12.25 Million, Westbrook 16.7 Million, and Durant is getting a cool 21 Million next year... they are already spending big, Durant just has to stay healthy to take advantage of that fact. Giving Kanter a max contract, presumably 19 Million, will be shooting themselves in the foot once Durant enters Free agency

Seeing as they will be flirting with the luxury tax next year even if Kanter accepts the qualifying offer.

[Evantime34]

OKC won't max out a guy like Kanter when they are already over the salary cap.

They aren't going to pinch pennies the year before Durant is a free agent. They are going to show him that they are willing to spend even if it's not true long term.

That's ridiculous. They are already paying Ibaka 12.25 Million, Westbrook 16.7 Million, and Durant is getting a cool 21 Million next year... they are already spending big, Durant just has to stay healthy to take advantage of that fact. Giving Kanter a max contract, presumably 19 Million, will be shooting themselves in the foot once Durant enters Free agency

Seeing as they will be flirting with the luxury tax next year even if Kanter accepts the qualifying offer.

It's not ridiculous.

The Thunder have shown an unwillingness to go into the luxury tax.This season was the first year they did so. They have been known for not spending big dollars, staying in the luxury tax is certainly a positive move that will help them in their recruitment of Durant.

If they let Kanter walk because he's too expensive, they have no mechanism to replace him because they are over the cap. They are going to hang onto him at all costs, because being over the salary cap means that they can't sign a free agent to replace his production.

[Endless Paradise]

Just trying to think of a scenario in which they might be willing to trade Adams. Maybe if we just send them draft choices 16 and 28 and agree to take back some of their contracts that they want to move (Waiters? Collison?) without sending salary back? Just a thought. Their payroll is really high.

They will not trade Adams until during the season, if at all.  It's championship or bust for OKC next year -- what do they need with draft picks when they already have #14?  What if Kanter walks?  What if Kanter gets hurt?

They shouldn't trade any rotation players except for a better rotation player.  So what if Adams doesn't play as much?  That's not their problem, unless he should be playing more minutes than Kanter.  That team has all kinds of depth, and is ready to roll if the stars are healthy.  So unless they're uograding talent, they should only move their depth to fix other depth issues that may arise during the season due to injury or poorer-than-expected performance.

Including Kanter, they have 14 players under contract for next year, plus #14 in June.  That team is set.

Very well said, TP.

[GetLucky]

I think a (still not very but more) realistic scenario in which OKC makes Adams available is OKC winning the lottery and drafting Okafor.

[Endless Paradise]

OKC's not voluntarily maxing out Kanter, but they'll match any offers he receives. Sam Presti traded for Kanter with the full intent of keeping him; he wouldn't have traded a first rounder for him just to rent him for 20-something games in a lost season. He's basically said as much.

[Celtics4ever]

Let me get this straight, their going to sign their back up to the max and trade their starter to us?   Another day at Celticsblog, with the NBAlive GM mindset...

[LooseCannon]

I would absolutely trade any of our bigs and a pick to get Adams. He has a high ceiling a defensive 5.

What's the highest pick you would send out with Zeller to get Adams?

[CelticGuardian]

OKC won't max out a guy like Kanter when they are already over the salary cap.

They aren't going to pinch pennies the year before Durant is a free agent. They are going to show him that they are willing to spend even if it's not true long term.

That's ridiculous. They are already paying Ibaka 12.25 Million, Westbrook 16.7 Million, and Durant is getting a cool 21 Million next year... they are already spending big, Durant just has to stay healthy to take advantage of that fact. Giving Kanter a max contract, presumably 19 Million, will be shooting themselves in the foot once Durant enters Free agency

Seeing as they will be flirting with the luxury tax next year even if Kanter accepts the qualifying offer.

It's not ridiculous.

The Thunder have shown an unwillingness to go into the luxury tax.This season was the first year they did so. They have been known for not spending big dollars, staying in the luxury tax is certainly a positive move that will help them in their recruitment of Durant.

If they let Kanter walk because he's too expensive, they have no mechanism to replace him because they are over the cap. They are going to hang onto him at all costs, because being over the salary cap means that they can't sign a free agent to replace his production.

This is when trades come in, I already discussed a scenario where they take Olynyk in exchange for their #14 pick, or use that pick on Frank Kaminsky, Kanter is not a star, OKC is not going to break the bank for him and then put themselves in a position where they have to pay millions to the league just to keep him. It's bad for business to be over the luxury tax for more than a couple of years if you are not a big market, OKC is not that big of a market to make it possible for them to keep those players for longer than 2 seasons, but then again the salary cap rise, can aid them in this.

[saltlover]

OKC's not voluntarily maxing out Kanter, but they'll match any offers he receives. Sam Presti traded for Kanter with the full intent of keeping him; he wouldn't have traded a first rounder for him just to rent him for 20-something games in a lost season. He's basically said as much.

I mean, I think they have a limit below the max, but one way or the other, Kanter is getting paid.

[Evantime34]

OKC won't max out a guy like Kanter when they are already over the salary cap.

They aren't going to pinch pennies the year before Durant is a free agent. They are going to show him that they are willing to spend even if it's not true long term.

That's ridiculous. They are already paying Ibaka 12.25 Million, Westbrook 16.7 Million, and Durant is getting a cool 21 Million next year... they are already spending big, Durant just has to stay healthy to take advantage of that fact. Giving Kanter a max contract, presumably 19 Million, will be shooting themselves in the foot once Durant enters Free agency

Seeing as they will be flirting with the luxury tax next year even if Kanter accepts the qualifying offer.

It's not ridiculous.

The Thunder have shown an unwillingness to go into the luxury tax.This season was the first year they did so. They have been known for not spending big dollars, staying in the luxury tax is certainly a positive move that will help them in their recruitment of Durant.

If they let Kanter walk because he's too expensive, they have no mechanism to replace him because they are over the cap. They are going to hang onto him at all costs, because being over the salary cap means that they can't sign a free agent to replace his production.

This is when trades come in, I already discussed a scenario where they take Olynyk in exchange for their #14 pick, or use that pick on Frank Kaminsky, Kanter is not a star, OKC is not going to break the bank for him and then put themselves in a position where they have to pay millions to the league just to keep him. It's bad for business to be over the luxury tax for more than a couple of years if you are not a big market, OKC is not that big of a market to make it possible for them to keep those players for longer than 2 seasons, but then again the salary cap rise, can aid them in this.

It is bad business to go over the luxury tax for multiple years if you aren't a contending team. The C's consistently were a tax payer during the KG years. I understand that the punishment is worse for doing it now, but if you have the chance at winning a title going over makes sense.

Mark my words OKC will match any offer for Kanter, including up to the max. He scored 18.7 and 11 last year. Put him next to Ibaka and he is the perfect fit.

Don't worry when this happens I won't remind you of how ridiculous an opinion differing from yours is.

[Evantime34]

I would absolutely trade any of our bigs and a pick to get Adams. He has a high ceiling a defensive 5.

What's the highest pick you would send out with Zeller to get Adams?

I'd reluctantly part with our 16th pick.

[CelticGuardian]

OKC won't max out a guy like Kanter when they are already over the salary cap.

They aren't going to pinch pennies the year before Durant is a free agent. They are going to show him that they are willing to spend even if it's not true long term.

That's ridiculous. They are already paying Ibaka 12.25 Million, Westbrook 16.7 Million, and Durant is getting a cool 21 Million next year... they are already spending big, Durant just has to stay healthy to take advantage of that fact. Giving Kanter a max contract, presumably 19 Million, will be shooting themselves in the foot once Durant enters Free agency

Seeing as they will be flirting with the luxury tax next year even if Kanter accepts the qualifying offer.

It's not ridiculous.

The Thunder have shown an unwillingness to go into the luxury tax.This season was the first year they did so. They have been known for not spending big dollars, staying in the luxury tax is certainly a positive move that will help them in their recruitment of Durant.

If they let Kanter walk because he's too expensive, they have no mechanism to replace him because they are over the cap. They are going to hang onto him at all costs, because being over the salary cap means that they can't sign a free agent to replace his production.

This is when trades come in, I already discussed a scenario where they take Olynyk in exchange for their #14 pick, or use that pick on Frank Kaminsky, Kanter is not a star, OKC is not going to break the bank for him and then put themselves in a position where they have to pay millions to the league just to keep him. It's bad for business to be over the luxury tax for more than a couple of years if you are not a big market, OKC is not that big of a market to make it possible for them to keep those players for longer than 2 seasons, but then again the salary cap rise, can aid them in this.

It is bad business to go over the luxury tax for multiple years if you aren't a contending team. The C's consistently were a tax payer during the KG years. I understand that the punishment is worse for doing it now, but if you have the chance at winning a title going over makes sense.

Mark my words OKC will match any offer for Kanter, including up to the max. He scored 18.7 and 11 last year. Put him next to Ibaka and he is the perfect fit.

Don't worry when this happens I won't remind you of how ridiculous an opinion differing from yours is.

Okay but, when Durant hits the market and some team offers him $30 million a year.... I will definitely remind you.