Russell Westbrook to Houston for Chris Paul and picks

BigSoxFan

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Woj on Sportscenter just now. Mutual interest with Miami.
Wonder if Presti would willingly de-value the unprotected Miami 2021 pick that he now owns. Probably would since needs to unload that RWB contract but interesting dynamic nonetheless.
 

cheech13

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Miami and OKC would almost assuredly have to find a third team to take back salary to make any deal work. Miami is less than $1MM below the apron so they can't take back salary and OKC is currently still in the tax and trying to get under that threshold.
 

PedroKsBambino

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Does anyone even have the necessary space? You’d perhaps need multiple teams each to take a salary and requiring a pick right? Guess OKC has the picks now at least
 

Jimbodandy

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Can't Miami send a couple of pieces back to OKC and one to team 3? Can't OKC take 3-4 pieces back and send 1-2 away later to get back under before year end?
 

lovegtm

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Miami and OKC would almost assuredly have to find a third team to take back salary to make any deal work. Miami is less than $1MM below the apron so they can't take back salary and OKC is currently still in the tax and trying to get under that threshold.
This is true, but OKC could also focus first on getting rid of the Westbrook contract, and then start sending more digestible pieces into cap space.
 

AMS25

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Miami and OKC would almost assuredly have to find a third team to take back salary to make any deal work. Miami is less than $1MM below the apron so they can't take back salary and OKC is currently still in the tax and trying to get under that threshold.
There was some speculation that Dallas could have helped out, but the Mavericks signed Delon Wright and need the rest of their cap space for their FAs.
 

nighthob

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That would be awesome, but I don't think they can get there right now. Not enough salary to send back.
I think if they say “Hey, if you wait until 12/15 we can send you something other than broken down players and a first round pick that might never convey while simultaneously destroying the value of two picks in your war chest” that Presti will listen.
 

nattysez

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OKC apparently agreed to let the free agents they reached agreements with in principle to go elsewhere - Alec Burks signed with GS today. This is a fire sale to end all fire sales.
 
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AMS25

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OKC apparently agreed to let the free agents they reached agreements with in principle to go elsewhere - Alex Burks signed with GS today. This is a fire sale to end all fire sales.
Eh, I doubt whether the Thunder will be able to jettison all of their highly-paid players.
 

Big John

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Yes, picks plus swaps. It will be fascinating to watch Westbrook and Harden attempt to coexist.
 

Greg29fan

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There is zero chance this works for Houston. Is Westbrook gonna go stand in the corner while Harden dribbles the clock down to two seconds and jacks a step-back three?
 

PedroKsBambino

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Interesting that Houston bit here---they gave up a bunch of pick value for very uncertain upgrade, right? In most ways outside health Paul is better than Westbrook as a player next to Harden. And the fit is really tough to see....but presumably Harden signed off on this.

Paul cannot be happy at all. I guess he has little ability to impact the deal, but you gotta think he's going to be looking for the first way out of OKC too.
 

Gash Prex

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I really don’t understand this move for Houston or OKC unless they are going to flip Paul
 

Apisith

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I really don’t understand this move for Houston or OKC unless they are going to flip Paul
We swapped an over the hill Paul for a slightly past his prime Westbrook. Paul couldn’t guard shit and couldn’t create his own shot. Westbrook will be amazing in our system. Watch D’Antoni work his magic.
 

Gash Prex

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We swapped an over the hill Paul for a slightly past his prime Westbrook. Paul couldn’t guard shit and couldn’t create his own shot. Westbrook will be amazing in our system. Watch D’Antoni work his magic.
If you say so - I don’t see how Harden and Westbrook play together given they both dominate the ball - Westbrook can’t shoot and won’t be playing off ball.
 

jon abbey

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I like Westbrook more than maybe anyone here, but Harden/Westbrook seems like as bad a match of superstars as you can find. If I'm starting a team tomorrow, I definitely take Westbrook over Paul, but if I already have Harden, that is a way tougher call.
 

Kliq

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I like Westbrook more than maybe anyone here, but Harden/Westbrook seems like as bad a match of superstars as you can find. If I'm starting a team tomorrow, I definitely take Westbrook over Paul, but if I already have Harden, that is a way tougher call.
Same, Miami, Minnesota, a few other places would have been good spots for him. Not sure how this is going to work out offensively, and if D'Antoni should be the coach of a team like that. Westbrook will have to learn how to play more off-ball if it is going to work; which he should be capable of doing but who knows if he ever will.
 

benhogan

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If you say so - I don’t see how Harden and Westbrook play together given they both dominate the ball - Westbrook can’t shoot and won’t be playing off ball.
Harden and RWB don't play 82 games and 48 mpg a night.

It's an upgrade for Houston
 

mcpickl

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Can Paul not be moved again until December 15 or can OKC flip him for more picks?
Can be moved right away if moved without other players. If he's moved packaged with other players to aggregate their salaries, have to wait two months.
 

Pablo's TB Lover

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I hear DJ Khalid in my ears yelling "another one". We need a good name for the NBA offseason, if there is not one. Can't be the "Hot Stove" like MLB due to the season. NBA Waterslide Season, NBA Wave Pool Season, NBA AC Season (also doubles as an ode to AC Green's post Lakers movement)?