[The8thDeadlySinParticipant]

Look at what OKC has done with this recent trade..

1. Westbrook
2. Thabo
3. Durant
4. Ibaka
5. Perkins
6. Harden
7. Collison
8. Mohammed

They have given up almost every offensive player in their starting 5 to get the best defensive big in the league and put Ibaka in the lineup..

They have taken the best scorer in the game and surrounded him with some of the best defenders in the league..

They can only do this because of Durant’s ability to score..Yea Westbrook is a good scorer but he wouldnt be without Durant.. Harden can fill it up but he isnt a starter at this point..

 

My question to you is:

Is there any other player that you can trade for Durant, straight up, and have this team not miss a beat??? 

[Da1potParticipant]

I think Lebron is the only player that would fit in that category IMO because other top scorers like Kobe and Wade are shooting guards

[Da1potParticipant]

I think Lebron is the only player that would fit in that category IMO because other top scorers like Kobe and Wade are shooting guards

[The8thDeadlySinParticipant]

Thabo playes the 3 when Druant isnt on the floor so he can slide down… Westbrook can play the 2 when Maynor is in so he can slide down too…

[The8thDeadlySinParticipant]

Thabo playes the 3 when Druant isnt on the floor so he can slide down… Westbrook can play the 2 when Maynor is in so he can slide down too…

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Melo.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Melo.

[BKKnicksfanParticipant]

Probably LeBron and that’s about it.

[BKKnicksfanParticipant]

Probably LeBron and that’s about it.

[Snubs15Participant]

I think Melo could do it but probly not quite as good.

[Snubs15Participant]

I think Melo could do it but probly not quite as good.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Melo and Durant are similiar players except Durant is taller and longer which helps on D. Melo is better in the post.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Melo and Durant are similiar players except Durant is taller and longer which helps on D. Melo is better in the post.

[the I in winParticipant]

Remember that what makes the teams offense work is the fact that Durant doesn’t have the ball in his hands which makes it possible for Westbrook to be so effective.  Lebron and Westbrook isn’t as good as Westbrook and Durant.

[the I in winParticipant]

Remember that what makes the teams offense work is the fact that Durant doesn’t have the ball in his hands which makes it possible for Westbrook to be so effective.  Lebron and Westbrook isn’t as good as Westbrook and Durant.

[apb540Participant]

Outside of Melo, there isn’t anyone who could fill Durant’s shoes.  The dude is just a pure, pure, pure scorer. 

[apb540Participant]

Outside of Melo, there isn’t anyone who could fill Durant’s shoes.  The dude is just a pure, pure, pure scorer. 

[omphalosParticipant]

Might get killed for this, but I think Rudy Gay could fill that role relatively well. He can play without the ball, is a good closer and is long/athletic like Durant (well, not exactly like Durant). If you replace KD with anyone they won’t be as good, but Gay might just be the next best fit because he isn’t a ball-stopper like Melo and Lebron.

[omphalosParticipant]

Might get killed for this, but I think Rudy Gay could fill that role relatively well. He can play without the ball, is a good closer and is long/athletic like Durant (well, not exactly like Durant). If you replace KD with anyone they won’t be as good, but Gay might just be the next best fit because he isn’t a ball-stopper like Melo and Lebron.

[SteroidParticipant]

Melo isn’t any more of a ball stopper than KD is. Depends on what your definition of a ball stopper is… Melo takes his share of shots, but any perimeter player that scores around 25 points is going to be taking 20+ shots. I know that Melo doesn’t need the ball in his hands for the majority of a possesion to figure out what he wants to do with the ball.

[SteroidParticipant]

Melo isn’t any more of a ball stopper than KD is. Depends on what your definition of a ball stopper is… Melo takes his share of shots, but any perimeter player that scores around 25 points is going to be taking 20+ shots. I know that Melo doesn’t need the ball in his hands for the majority of a possesion to figure out what he wants to do with the ball.

[TC_42Participant]

“Harden can fill it up but he isnt a starter at this point.”

Maybe you’ve missed that Harden has been averaging almost 19pts a game since the AS break. Plus he’s been very efficient and his playmaking ability and defense has been very very good. Harden will fill that 3rd option role better than Green.

[TC_42Participant]

“Harden can fill it up but he isnt a starter at this point.”

Maybe you’ve missed that Harden has been averaging almost 19pts a game since the AS break. Plus he’s been very efficient and his playmaking ability and defense has been very very good. Harden will fill that 3rd option role better than Green.

[Anton123Participant]

 I think the Thunder need to sign/trade Nate for a back up SF (Maybe Al Thornton), then the team will almost have no noticable weaknesses

[Anton123Participant]

 I think the Thunder need to sign/trade Nate for a back up SF (Maybe Al Thornton), then the team will almost have no noticable weaknesses

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