[joe2324Participant]

 First, i’m not bashing Durant at all. I think his move to the Warriors is great for the NBA, it creates drama, intrigue and you’ll ratings go up especially when the Warriors play the Thunder or Cavs. It will be the good guys vs bad guys(warriors). However, to be honest, the Thunder screwed up big time here and I know some people on these boards were pushing for the Thunder to trade Durant last year and get some value for him and not have to go through "the decision part 2" which is basically what happened. 

The Thunder are a small market team and the odds of them keeping Durant and hoping he could be a John Stockton or Tim Duncan and stick it out are far from reality. 

I just hope other teams with young superstars don’t fall into this trap and just move on from a player once the rumors start about playing in other bigger cities. One example is Anthony Davis. As great as he is, you don’t want to lose him for nothing. If situations arise where trade rumors are going around, I think you need to pull the trigger and get top value for him while you can. Second, I hope the Thunder get whatever they can for Westbrook because he’s gone as well after this season, no question. 

Also, Wiggins is another guy I can see jumping ship to maybe Toronto eventually. 

Overall, I think the Thunder did a horrible job managing the situation and know they lost one of the best players in the league and got nothing in return for him. 

 

 

 

 

 

[markfitz14Participant]

If a player says they want to test Free Agency I would trade him. Why would a player want to talk to other teams unless he wanted to leave? If he refuses an extension before the last season. Trade him by the deadline. 

[markfitz14Participant]

If a player says they want to test Free Agency I would trade him. Why would a player want to talk to other teams unless he wanted to leave? If he refuses an extension before the last season. Trade him by the deadline. 

[Sewok15Participant]

It’s not like guys who test free agency always leave. Mike Conley had plenty of offers but stayed in Memphis ultimately. Derozen, Dirk, Batum and Whiteside are other guys this year who did the same. I think a lot of guys hope to stay but enter the process to feel wanted and get whined and dined…and financially it usually makes the most sense.

LeBron has opted out and is technically a free agent as well but I don’t see the Cavs moving him anytime soon…It probably would have been a really bad move to send him somewhere at the deadline this season considering the city won their first championship since 4 years before Bron’s mom was even born.

[Sewok15Participant]

It’s not like guys who test free agency always leave. Mike Conley had plenty of offers but stayed in Memphis ultimately. Derozen, Dirk, Batum and Whiteside are other guys this year who did the same. I think a lot of guys hope to stay but enter the process to feel wanted and get whined and dined…and financially it usually makes the most sense.

LeBron has opted out and is technically a free agent as well but I don’t see the Cavs moving him anytime soon…It probably would have been a really bad move to send him somewhere at the deadline this season considering the city won their first championship since 4 years before Bron’s mom was even born.

[sheltwon3Participant]

 I think Wiggins could stay because of Karl Anthony Towns.  That dude is a good guy and he is the real deal. Soon he will be the best big man in the league.

[sheltwon3Participant]

 I think Wiggins could stay because of Karl Anthony Towns.  That dude is a good guy and he is the real deal. Soon he will be the best big man in the league.

[Sewok15Participant]

This was the 2nd closest (maybe closest in reality) the Thunder have ever come to a title. This season never happens if you trade Durant at the deadline. What are you going to get in return that is better than a shot at a ring during the current season?

True Championship quality players don’t come around often…especially in a small market so you should almost never be willing to trade those guys. Since 1980 only 11 different franchises have won NBA titles. The MLB and NHL have both had 10 different teams since 2000 The NFL has had 8 different champions the last 8 seasons. Basketball is clearly the most star driven sport so you can’t just give up a star because you are usually giving away years of having a relevant franchise again after.

In hindsight it is easy to say that now but you simply don’t trade the best players in the league because they "might" leave. The chances he signed a 1 year deal to come back with Russ and compete for another championship are still better than any chance you have at winning a title with any other option.

Would it be nice for them to have another great player to add in their lineup and a couple of draft picks for the future…sure. But the backlash Durant is getting is nothing compared to the backlash the organization would have recieved for trading him. That team would have been back in Seattle by 2020 if they went that route.

[Sewok15Participant]

This was the 2nd closest (maybe closest in reality) the Thunder have ever come to a title. This season never happens if you trade Durant at the deadline. What are you going to get in return that is better than a shot at a ring during the current season?

True Championship quality players don’t come around often…especially in a small market so you should almost never be willing to trade those guys. Since 1980 only 11 different franchises have won NBA titles. The MLB and NHL have both had 10 different teams since 2000 The NFL has had 8 different champions the last 8 seasons. Basketball is clearly the most star driven sport so you can’t just give up a star because you are usually giving away years of having a relevant franchise again after.

In hindsight it is easy to say that now but you simply don’t trade the best players in the league because they "might" leave. The chances he signed a 1 year deal to come back with Russ and compete for another championship are still better than any chance you have at winning a title with any other option.

Would it be nice for them to have another great player to add in their lineup and a couple of draft picks for the future…sure. But the backlash Durant is getting is nothing compared to the backlash the organization would have recieved for trading him. That team would have been back in Seattle by 2020 if they went that route.

[joe2324Participant]

this is not hindsight is 20/20. I and many others were pushing for the Thunder to trade Durant. I’m having trouble finding the post I made last year on here, but its ok. I know for a fact, I wanted the Thunder to move on from Durant because I knew this would happen.  

[joe2324Participant]

this is not hindsight is 20/20. I and many others were pushing for the Thunder to trade Durant. I’m having trouble finding the post I made last year on here, but its ok. I know for a fact, I wanted the Thunder to move on from Durant because I knew this would happen.  

[Sewok15Participant]

Did you also know they would be up 3-1 on the defending champs on their way to the finals only to lose to a record breaking Warriors team that Durant would later join in free agency after they lost the Cleveland in the finals? Cuz if you knew all that you might be psychic.

The fact of the matter is this year was OKC’s best shot at the title and they took it…with the guy that has always carried them. Russ is a great player but he isn’t sniffing any titles without Durant.

I find it hard to believe that you would have known that Durant was going to leave for sure before the man himself…because I assume he only recently made that decision after the playoffs shook out the way they did…which is of course way after the mid season trade deadline.

[Sewok15Participant]

Did you also know they would be up 3-1 on the defending champs on their way to the finals only to lose to a record breaking Warriors team that Durant would later join in free agency after they lost the Cleveland in the finals? Cuz if you knew all that you might be psychic.

The fact of the matter is this year was OKC’s best shot at the title and they took it…with the guy that has always carried them. Russ is a great player but he isn’t sniffing any titles without Durant.

I find it hard to believe that you would have known that Durant was going to leave for sure before the man himself…because I assume he only recently made that decision after the playoffs shook out the way they did…which is of course way after the mid season trade deadline.

[mowestenParticipant]

 I know this: if yo girl start talking to other dudes and acting like a free agent, it’s best to trade her in quick. 

[mowestenParticipant]

 I know this: if yo girl start talking to other dudes and acting like a free agent, it’s best to trade her in quick. 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 When you trade a superstar player like Durant who is about to enter free agency, you are only going to get back pennies on the dollar. Other teams know that you are only looking to salvage something in return instead of risking losing him for nothing and they will not offer top value. Plus, whoever you trade him to also has to worry about losing him after the season anyway unless he demands a trade there or verbally agrees to stay before the deal. Historically, when teams have traded superstar players in their prime, it rarely ever works out well for them.

The thunder had a legitimate chance to win a championship last season and I don’t think you can ever break up a legitimate championship contender in the middle of the season regardless of the circumstances. You just can’t take for granted that opportunity will present itself again. If the thunder close out of warriors and make the finals it’s doubtful Durant leaves. Plus, trading Durant in the middle of the season would basically be throwing in the towel and a sign that the organization didn’t believe they could offer a strong enough pitch to keep him. How would that look when you try to convince Westbrook to stay next summer?

All things considered, the thunder made the right call. It just didn’t work out for them. If you want to criticize anything the organization did for leading to Durant’s departure, you have to go directly back to the James harden trade. That right there set a precedent that the franchise was more concerned about paying the luxury tax than winning. However, what’s done is done and thats a separate issue. Durant never gave any indication he was unhappy or wanted out during the season. All reports seemed to indicate the contrary and point to him returning. When you have an organization that’s as strong and steady as the thunder have been over the past six seasons, you have to trust that you will be able to make a strong enough pitch to keep your marquee player.

 

 

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 When you trade a superstar player like Durant who is about to enter free agency, you are only going to get back pennies on the dollar. Other teams know that you are only looking to salvage something in return instead of risking losing him for nothing and they will not offer top value. Plus, whoever you trade him to also has to worry about losing him after the season anyway unless he demands a trade there or verbally agrees to stay before the deal. Historically, when teams have traded superstar players in their prime, it rarely ever works out well for them.

The thunder had a legitimate chance to win a championship last season and I don’t think you can ever break up a legitimate championship contender in the middle of the season regardless of the circumstances. You just can’t take for granted that opportunity will present itself again. If the thunder close out of warriors and make the finals it’s doubtful Durant leaves. Plus, trading Durant in the middle of the season would basically be throwing in the towel and a sign that the organization didn’t believe they could offer a strong enough pitch to keep him. How would that look when you try to convince Westbrook to stay next summer?

All things considered, the thunder made the right call. It just didn’t work out for them. If you want to criticize anything the organization did for leading to Durant’s departure, you have to go directly back to the James harden trade. That right there set a precedent that the franchise was more concerned about paying the luxury tax than winning. However, what’s done is done and thats a separate issue. Durant never gave any indication he was unhappy or wanted out during the season. All reports seemed to indicate the contrary and point to him returning. When you have an organization that’s as strong and steady as the thunder have been over the past six seasons, you have to trust that you will be able to make a strong enough pitch to keep your marquee player.

 

 

 

 

[Untouchable JParticipant]

Okc couldnt trade Durant because they (obviously) had a legit shot at winning a tittle, and u can argue they SHOULD have won it this year

The other side to that is if you trade a guy in a final year, you’re immediately losing value. Especially in this Lebron/Dwight era where these guys are on some OTHER ish about what they go to teams for.

Ie, Watch Westbrook closely. In an open market under contract you’d be able to ask for a star, a fringe star, a role player, and a 1st round pick or TWO in exchnage for 1 Russ Westbrook. With a year on his deal? They are in ‘welp, Marcus Smart and a future #1 is better than nothing" stage.

The 3rd option is trade em early with 2 years or more left. If you think OKC should have traded KD early you’re bugged.

[Untouchable JParticipant]

Okc couldnt trade Durant because they (obviously) had a legit shot at winning a tittle, and u can argue they SHOULD have won it this year

The other side to that is if you trade a guy in a final year, you’re immediately losing value. Especially in this Lebron/Dwight era where these guys are on some OTHER ish about what they go to teams for.

Ie, Watch Westbrook closely. In an open market under contract you’d be able to ask for a star, a fringe star, a role player, and a 1st round pick or TWO in exchnage for 1 Russ Westbrook. With a year on his deal? They are in ‘welp, Marcus Smart and a future #1 is better than nothing" stage.

The 3rd option is trade em early with 2 years or more left. If you think OKC should have traded KD early you’re bugged.

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