2012 NBA Offseason: Oklahoma City Thunder
Draft Grades, Offseason Needs, Free Agents
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Year: 47-19)
Live 2012 NBA Draft Grades:
28. Perry Jones, F, Baylor: A Grade
If you are the Thunder and nobody you take in this spot is likely going to be an immediate contributor, you absolutely roll the dice on Jones, who could have been a top-10 pick last year. Yes, there are injury red flags and issues about his toughness/work ethic, but taking him at No. 28 is well worth the risk.
*** 2012 NBA Offseason Needs and Free Agents listed below this comment box. ***
2011-12 Season Summary:
The maturation of the Oklahoma City Thunder continued this past season as the team reached the NBA Finals. Though it fell short of the ultimate goal, Oklahoma City cemented its status as one of the best teams in the league. With a few minor moves this offseason, the Thunder might be able to get over the hump in 2012-13.
2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Kendrick Perkins/Cole Aldrich
PF: Serge Ibaka/Nick Collison
SF: Kevin Durant/Daequan Cook/Lazar Hayward
SG: Thabo Sefalosha/James Harden
PG: Russell Westbrook/Eric Maynor/Reggie Jackson
NBA Free Agents:
PG-Derek Fisher (UFA)
C-Nazr Mohammed (UFA)
G-Royal Ivey (UFA)
2012-13 Team Salary: Approximately $58.2 million
NBA Offseason Needs:
1. Big Man: The Thunder doesn't need to make any major moves, but finding a replacement for Nazr Mohammed should be on their to-do list. Oklahoma City does have Cole Aldrich, who has underachieved in his first two years in the league, and the flexibility to play Ibaka and/or Collison at the four. Still, adding a veteran big man who can play eight minutes a night wouldn't hurt.
2. Veteran Guard: This really would be a rich-getting-richer situation since the Thunder don't have a major need for a veteran guard. However, you certainly cannot discount the impact that Derek Fisher had for Oklahoma City late in the season. Yes, Eric Maynor will be back after missing all but nine games this past season with a torn ACL. A veteran like Fisher can bring that little something extra to help the Thunder get to the Promised Land.
3. Keep the Future in Mind: Yes, the future is the now for Oklahoma City since the team will once again be a title contender next season. However, GM Sam Presti has to keep in mind some key decisions regarding James Harden and Serge Ibaka, who both become restricted free agents next summer. The Thunder have already extended Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, so it will be interesting to see if the team can afford to keep both Harden and Ibaka. Being proactive and trying to extend them before next offseason would be in Oklahoma City's best interest ... if it is able to handle that financially.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 21
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
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© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
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All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Year: 47-19)
Live 2012 NBA Draft Grades:
28. Perry Jones, F, Baylor: A Grade
If you are the Thunder and nobody you take in this spot is likely going to be an immediate contributor, you absolutely roll the dice on Jones, who could have been a top-10 pick last year. Yes, there are injury red flags and issues about his toughness/work ethic, but taking him at No. 28 is well worth the risk.
*** 2012 NBA Offseason Needs and Free Agents listed below this comment box. ***
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2013 pick
02-02-2013
10:50 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx5.35
(total posts: 1)
 6
 5
Doug McDermott playing for the thunder my dreams would come true
Delgado
06-30-2011
06:03 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.161
(total posts: 1)
32
44
Yeah.. The Thunder are my 2nd team since I have season tickets but I don't understand why they had to get their 4th PG since Ivey's out. That means they might consider trading Nate for a wingman since we didn't get Jordan Hamilton, which could've been a good steal.
Vince
06-26-2011
07:58 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx3.99
(total posts: 1)
30
34
You ever gonna finish these team grades?
Walter
06-21-2011
05:14 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx4.88
(total posts: 1)
33
33
First comment... we're going to have comment boards like this all over the site soon. We're still working out the kinks, so this is not the finished product.
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2011-12 Season Summary:
The maturation of the Oklahoma City Thunder continued this past season as the team reached the NBA Finals. Though it fell short of the ultimate goal, Oklahoma City cemented its status as one of the best teams in the league. With a few minor moves this offseason, the Thunder might be able to get over the hump in 2012-13.
2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Kendrick Perkins/Cole Aldrich
PF: Serge Ibaka/Nick Collison
SF: Kevin Durant/Daequan Cook/Lazar Hayward
SG: Thabo Sefalosha/James Harden
PG: Russell Westbrook/Eric Maynor/Reggie Jackson
NBA Free Agents:
PG-Derek Fisher (UFA)
C-Nazr Mohammed (UFA)
G-Royal Ivey (UFA)
2012-13 Team Salary: Approximately $58.2 million
NBA Offseason Needs:
1. Big Man: The Thunder doesn't need to make any major moves, but finding a replacement for Nazr Mohammed should be on their to-do list. Oklahoma City does have Cole Aldrich, who has underachieved in his first two years in the league, and the flexibility to play Ibaka and/or Collison at the four. Still, adding a veteran big man who can play eight minutes a night wouldn't hurt.
2. Veteran Guard: This really would be a rich-getting-richer situation since the Thunder don't have a major need for a veteran guard. However, you certainly cannot discount the impact that Derek Fisher had for Oklahoma City late in the season. Yes, Eric Maynor will be back after missing all but nine games this past season with a torn ACL. A veteran like Fisher can bring that little something extra to help the Thunder get to the Promised Land.
3. Keep the Future in Mind: Yes, the future is the now for Oklahoma City since the team will once again be a title contender next season. However, GM Sam Presti has to keep in mind some key decisions regarding James Harden and Serge Ibaka, who both become restricted free agents next summer. The Thunder have already extended Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, so it will be interesting to see if the team can afford to keep both Harden and Ibaka. Being proactive and trying to extend them before next offseason would be in Oklahoma City's best interest ... if it is able to handle that financially.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 21
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
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