Thunder continue roster makeup, announces two moves.

Thunder continue roster makeup, announces two moves.

While OKC adds a pair of Smiths and Walker, big Roy (resting after 4 fouls in 1st qtr) is going to foul out at a new town.

The Oklahoma City Thunder continues it’s roster re-shape. After arrival of new GM Marcos Beck, the Thunder, who were very active at offseason, announced earlier today two more moves. One move is reported to be a three-team deal involving the Kings and the Bobcats. The other one is believed to be a 2x2 swap between OKC and the Atlanta Hawks, sources told our reporters.

After shipping LeBron James to the Pacers at the offseason, new management though their new core, lead by Paul George and Dwight Howard, would play well enough to make supporters forget about James and make OKC remain one of the top West powerhouses. But the team has struggled to find a rhythm, thanks to the poor collective play, committing too much turnovers while dishing not so many assists. Teams are constantly pressuring OKC’s ball handlers and collapsing the middle of the paint by playing zone defense for most of the game, forcing OKC to beat them from long range and trying to not let D-12 dominate them offensively.

Trying to find an answer to those foe’s strategies, the Thunder announced that they’re making two major roster moves. First, in a trade that was almost confirmed earlier this season, OKC shipped Jordan Hill and his huge 1-year expiring contract for G JJ Barea, G JR Smith and C Aaron Gray. But, sources confirmed this morning, the trade was re-worked and is now a triple-team deal. Jordan Hill is heading to Charlotte, who, on the other hand, are sending to the Kings off-season acquisition Tyreke Evans. The Kings are reportedly also sending a future 1st pick as part of the deal.

Secondly, they went after Connecticut product Kemba Walker, and, alongside him, acquired Josh Smith. Offseason acquisition Roy Hibbert, alongside G Kyle Lowry are heading to Atlanta in return. Some say that OKC FO was not happy with Lowry’s bad play and alleged Roy could not co-exist with Howard in the paint (along the fact he averaging close to 4 fouls per game in only 23 minutes), although both facts were denied by GM Marcos Beck

“It was a unique opportunity to add a player considered to be one of the best under-25 guards in the league in Kemba. We really appreciate his game, not only at the offensive end, where his tight handles are going to help us cut down turnovers, but defensively too, being so quick, so smart, and a very disciplined defender. We really like the fact that he’s here and we’ll do everything in our power to lock he long-term. Also, Smith is a guy who gives a completely different look to our offense, being able to pass and handle, being a real point-foward. We think he has the ability to work well with Howard both offensively and defensively, so he’ll be a great help to this team. We wish Kyle and Roy nothing but the best, we wanted to keep both long-term, but, unfortunately, could not."

Phil Jackson talked about his rotations and his new bench mob, led by ex-All Star F Millsap and newly acquired JR Smith.

“We’ll be starting Walker, George, Brewer, Smith and Howard. It will certainly be difficult to score against them, I can really guarantee that. Off the bench, we are going to have players like JR and Millsap, who will also play big minutes for us. I think they’re both starting caliber players in this league and really hope they can led our team’s 2nd unit offensively. Also, Barea will take over as our backup PG. We feel he can be a great distributor playing next to so many great scorers. We’re excited with our new bench-mob.”

P-Jax declined to give the media an extended explanation about Millsap and FA signing Derrick Williams being touted as available for future trades. All he did say was: "We like the roster we've put together here a lot."

“I know, lots of guys will, once again, question if there are enough shoots available for so many scorers. But I don’t think we’re going to stop here regarding trades, so our team is not fully ready yet. Still, we really like the direction we’re going forward, and Phil has all support he needs to bring us back to winning paths. Being new to this league is harsh, I’ve got so many things to learn, from how to build a roster that fits to improve our tactical knowledge, but I want to thank all GMs who are constantly helping us improve and find our way into victories. Let’s keep calm, not panic, because I think we have the personal to win. And we’re going to improve as a team with time.” completed Marcos.

I definitely am not a fan of Smith to be honest, even if Hibbert didn't work alongside with Dwight, I don't think that Smith fits any better. With both JR and Josh Smith, you've got one of the least efficient and low-IQ tandems possible. And as far as the stretch 4 concept, Smith just doesn't shoot 3s well at all.

That said, you'll definitely going to be cutting down on turnovers by switching fro Lowry to Kemba, you were at the top in the league in turnovers I believe.

Could be wrong... but I think in the end you'll come to the same conclusion that everyone else who has ever had Smith on their team: he doesn't fit well and he'll need to be traded.

Agree that Josh and JR did not find much success in the past..
But..
How many times did players play bad at one team and a change of scenarios was all he needed?
Put some players in a bad situation for them and they'll kill your team. Put them at a great situation and they'll flourish.

The talent is there. The willingness to risk, I have. Who knows if this will work nicely? If yes, I'm adding more talent to this team. If not, at least Kemba is here

Marcos_Beck (OKC) wrote: big Roy (resting after 4 fouls in 1st qtr) is going to foul out at a new town.

hahaha, my single biggest problem with Hibbert right there. No matter what I did, he'd play 20 minutes and foul out.  I literally could not get him to play 30 minutes on a semi-consistent basis.

He probably fouled out too much because of the defensive intensity and strategies you ran ? Also, from the looks of it, you never once tried making him a full time starter alongside Dwight, which I find to be very very odd. That's why I thought he was with the team in the first place.

I was running with 3 on DI... That's too low, we were not able to keep shooters check with that low of DI.

And, well, what else can I say other than Hibbert came to be my best trade chip... I'm not lying here.
I did not want to move Lowry as I felt he had future with us, but it is what it is. Kemba is doing fine at offline games that I've simulated, as well as both Smith.
We've been turning the ball way less, shooting much better for 3 (even starting to punish zones, specially JR), and defending at a nice level. But of course, who knows if it's going to work when it's real game time..

Now that all of these moves have been made here is my take as a GM.

From my standpoint once LeBron was traded, you immediately put both Dwight and Roy otb and never tried a Twin Towers look (which GSW GM noted which is puzzling but nevertheless) so your stance was obviously either or and not both bigs.

GSW IMMEDIATELY stated they were interested in Dwight and would move Curry + for him (not sure if completely true but no less it was made public), from that point in your shoes my mind would've weighed the pros and cons and I would've moved Dwight for Curry +, if GSW were requiring a replacement PG I then figure out a way to add Lowry while also maximizing his value cause big picture OKC is going to war with Curry George SF Millsap Hibbert and in my mind I focus the + from the Howard Curry swap with whatever comes from Lowry and I get my SF OR sign one in FA (which was going on at the time) and I look at my team/ assets and I see a direction.

Right now as a GM I don't see a direction, I see a collection of more players that eventually may have to be traded until you finally get who or what you are looking for and that's gonna take even more time and patience from my perspective and it really doesn't seem prudent.

Now... with all of that said, you were really looking forward to getting Josh and JR Smith and Kemba as well and you seem happy, happier than when you first acquired the team and that's what is ultimately important so screw what I said in my opinion and what anyone else says and make yourself happy with your team and if it does or doesn't work out at least you have the guys you wanted to put on the court together to hopefully contend for a title.

Good luck Marcos.

I wont comment trades anymore.
But the Lowry, Jack, Lebron, Howard core looked stronger and they only needed to add a PF and maybe a 6. man.
West, Ginobili would have been perfect FA additions.

DennisJ (BOS) wrote:I wont comment trades anymore.
But the Lowry, Jack, Lebron, Howard core looked stronger and they only needed to add a PF and maybe a 6. man.
West, Ginobili would have been perfect FA additions.

I tried to add both, just had nothing but I only had my Mini-MLE and vet. Min. Contracts.

I had no flexibility, no way to improve that core, that's why I did not keep them.

I'm very happy with what I have right now, like Willy said. When I pulled the trigger in that LeBron trade I knew at least one more move would be needed to put together the team I wanted. So I went to work and now I have a team that pleases me a lot.
Who knows if it's going to work, but at least I'm happy with what I have.

Marcos_Beck (OKC) wrote:

DennisJ (BOS) wrote:I wont comment trades anymore.
But the Lowry, Jack, Lebron, Howard core looked stronger and they only needed to add a PF and maybe a 6. man.
West, Ginobili would have been perfect FA additions.

I tried to add both, just had nothing but I only had my Mini-MLE and vet. Min. Contracts.

I had no flexibility, no way to improve that core, that's why I did not keep them.

I'm very happy with what I have right now, like Willy said. When I pulled the trigger in that LeBron trade I knew at least one more move would be needed to put together the team I wanted. So I went to work and now I have a team that pleases me a lot.
Who knows if it's going to work, but at least I'm happy with what I have.

Forgot you didnt have your MLE. Though you could have used your or Dallas firsts to improve your core. Whatever. Like Willy said, as long as you like your trades its all fine

The turn style never stops spinning in OKC it seems as there is a whole new crop of players making their entrance to the Thunder locker room. Seems like the time you spent to find strategies to fit your roster will now be out of date and you will have to figure it all out again. Good luck!