Everyone that keeps repeating that we’re a developmental team, sorry that time is up. Not anymore.
Chet’s shot tonight is one that people will remember 20 years from now. Every single team in the league would be proud of the game we played tonight.
There’s still questions to answer and changes to make, but this team is absolutely ready. This is now the moment to make a legit run.
In my opinion, the team moved from pure “team tank” two years ago to more of a developmental team last year. Last year the team outperformed expectations.
This year the team entered the year with a development/see what we are mindset. I don’t think the team planned on making any barnburner trades.
I think the team is in assessment mode right now, but based on a small sample size it’s highly likely that the team will lean toward the following analysis (just like many of us have):
Chet is the real deal and won’t need a lot of development to be a legitimate player.
Cason “looks” like he might be another hit in the same way that JDub was. Very solid as a rookie.
The team HAS moved toward making winning a priority to some extent because it has moved away from giving minutes to players that can cost them games (with the limited exception being Giddey to some extent).
I think TODAY that the Thunder have shifted more toward a win now mentality with the players that are currently on the roster right now. I think that the Thunder would not turn down a very favorable trade as long as it fits into the long term objective, but will not force the issue or give up a lot for a slighter better team this year.
The team IS going to have to make some decisions though in terms of salary. I think Poku is in the final year of his deal. So if he isn’t in the longer term plan (or will resign on the cheap) expect him to be shipped out prior to the trade deadline.
Giddey could turn it around and could be a core player going forward. But his trade value may fall more than it rises. I think the team will be giving him some close evaluation and will have to dispassionately figure out whether to pay him or not.
I think the team would prefer that Giddey turns into the next Larry Bird rather than trading him away. But there is huge risk in paying a player that may end up being the next Singler.
With a team this deep you aren’t going to be able to keep everyone. You don’t want an albatross contract that costs you a player that you might others want to keep.
All of the above was listed to say that Giddey and Poku could be ship outs prior to the trade deadline for a player that might improve us going forward. But the incoming player may not be the impetus for the trade.
Well written per usual, and of course getting downvoted. Can’t see anything here that I’d disagree with.
Last year was experimenting. This year was assessing. But that switches as of today. The ability is there to be a top 4 seed. And if an 8 seed can come close to winning a chip, every 4 seed needs to be trying their best.