NBA Basketball Trade Rumors and Rumor Mill Gossip » Thunder

Kevin Durant says he'll sign a max deal if Thunder offers this summer

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:03:38 +0000

If Oklahoma City makes Kevin Durant a maximum contract offer this summer, he’ll sign it.

In an interview Wednesday with FanHouse, Durant said he wants to sign
an extension with the Thunder. Negotiations can start July 1.

"Yeah, that’s what I want to do," he said."I want to be here. I want to be part of this organization."

The Thunder has the option of waiting until the summer of 2011 to re-sign Durant as an unrestricted free agent. By then the NBA could have a new collective bargaining agreement in place, and the owners’ offer last month made it clear their intent is to drastically cut maximum salaries.

The owners also proposed cutting the maximum number of years in a contract from five to four. As FanHouse’s Chris Tomasson pointed out in his article, no member of the Thunder organization has expressed an interest in waiting until 2011 to sign Durant.

Given the current collective bargaining agreement and the Thunder’s salary cap position, Oklahoma City could offer Durant a five-year deal in the $80 million range.

"If they did offer (a max contract), that would be something that nobody could turn down," Durant told FanHouse. "I would be blessed and privileged and honored. … But, at the same time, I’ve got to keep working. … It would be good (to sign this summer). To know that I can be with a team for a couple (more) years will be cool."

Asked if he would be offended if the Thunder didn’t offer a max deal this summer, Durant said, "Not really."

"Of course, I know I’ll be back the year after that, and you never know what will happen that next summer," Durant said.

http://newsok.com/kevin-durant-says-hell-sign-a-max-deal-if-thunder-offers-this-summer/article/3443827?custom_click=lead_story_title

Thunder Draft!

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:14:49 +0000

The Oklahoma City Thunder made some good moves at the 2009 NBA Draft. The Thunder I believe did what you need to do leaving a draft and that is "Get Better". I believe that with the moves they made they have done just that.The Oklahoma City Thunder started out the 2009 NBA Draft very well. The Thunder took guard James Harden out of Arizona State with the third overall pick in the 09 NBA Draft. I think this guy is gonna be great.

The Thunder picked guard Rodrigue Beaubois from Cholet (France) with the 25th overall pick in the draft. The Thunder then traded Beaubois to the Dallas Mavericks along with a future second round pick in exchange for B.J. Mullens. Mullens is a center out of Ohio State that Dallas drafted with the 24th overall pick in the draft.

The Thunder also traded cash considerations to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for Robert Vaden. Vaden is a guard/forward out of Alabama/Birmingham. Vaden was drafted 54th overall by the Charlotte Bobcats.

What will Presti do if Rubio is still on board when the Thunder picks?

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:36:31 +0000

BY MIKE BALDWIN of Newsok.com

Nearly two dozen point guards, roughly one out of every three players selected, might be taken on June 25.

Even if the Thunder were to bypass Ricky Rubio with the No. 3 pick, would Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti consider selecting a point guard with his No. 25 pick?

"They don’t really need a point guard, but this is an exceptionally deep draft at the point position,” said an Eastern Conference scout. "It’s the deepest I can remember at that position in a long time. There are 12 or 13 point guards that are getting first-round discussion.”

It’s no secret Presti would like to trade Earl Watson, a veteran who began the season as the Thunder’s starting point guard before becoming Russell Westbrook’s backup.

http://newsok.com/nba-draft-is-deep-with-point-guards/article/3377406?custom_click=lead_story_title

Thunder Trade Cancelled!

admin — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:44:27 +0000

The trade between the Thunder and New Orleans was cancelled. The trade had Tyson Chandler going to the Thunder in exchange for Chris Wilcox, Joe Smith, and the rights to Devon Hardin. The trade was cancelled because Chandler failed his physical.They did not say why Chandler did not pass his physical, but they sent him back to New Orleans. "We were pleased to add Tyson to the Thunder roster," general manager Sam Presti said. "During the course of the physical examination and outside consultations some questions arose that gave us cause for concern. We felt that this course of action was the best for our organization."

The Hornets players say they are pleased to have him back. "I’m excited to have T.C. back," Paul said. "I think it will give us a huge lift. Hopefully it will bring us closer together. You know, T.C. is family to us, so there won’t be any animosity when he comes in here and he understands what’s been the goal all along."

Full Story:

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/02/18/chandler.trade.ap/index.html

Thunder Acquires Thabo Sefolosha!

admin — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:19:26 +0000

Thunder GM Sam Presti announced that the Thunder have traded one of there first round picks for 2009 to the Bulls in exchange for Thabo Sefolosha and cash considerations.The Thunder has three first round picks for the 2009 draft. The Thunder has its own pick, the Denver Nuggets pick, and the San Antonio Spurs pick. The Bulls will get the lowest out of The Denver and San Antonio.

"We are excitedto add Thabo to our team," said Presti. "With this trade we add another defensive-minded perimeter player that we feel has the opportunity to grow with our organization."

The Thunder also waived Mouhamed Sene to make room on the roster for Sefolosha.

Full Story:

http://www.nba.com/thunder/#/news/archive/article_sefolosha090219

Thunder Acquire Malik Rose!

admin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:22:35 +0000

After the Tyson Chandler problem with him not passing the physical and having to be sent back to New Orleans, the Thunder made a trade. The trade sent Chris Wilcox to the New York Nicks in exchange for Malik Rose and cash considerations.

Wilcox was just given back to the Thunder because of the trade that did not work for Tyson Chandler. Just the very next day he is traded to the New York Nicks. The Thunder are getting a veteran with leadership and experience in Rose. He has played in 13 NBA seasons and has won 2 NBA Championships.

Thunder Mascot – Rumble the Bison

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:45:41 +0000

The Thunder unveiled its new mascot during the game against the New Orleans Hornets tonight.

The Thunder mascot is a Bison by the name of "Rumble". Im not to thrilled with the looks, but maybe its just me. The Bison is Oklahoma’s state animal.

Find out more on Rumble the Bison here:

http://thunder-nba.com/rumble/

Thunder Acquire Chandler!

admin — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:47:40 +0000

The Thunder have traded Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox, and the rights to Devon Hardin to the Hornets in exchange for Tyson Chandler. Thunder GM Sam Presti announced today.

Tyson Chandler will give the Thunder the defensive help that they need. He is also no slouch when it comes to offense either. Chris Wilcox is a pretty good player I think maybe a change of teams will help him out to start playing better. For Joe Smith everyone one knows your going to get a very vocal and hard working veteran and that’s always a plus for the Hornets. I think this will be good for both teams.

The Full Story Is Here:
http://www.nba.com/thunder/#/news/archive/article_chandler090217

Atkins Still Interested In Orlando!

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:53:34 +0000

When Orlando was trying to get Chucky Atkins from the Nuggets he was very interested. He was traded to the Thunder, but he is still interested in going to Orlando if the opportunity comes knocking.

"Of course," said Atkins, who lives in Orlando. "I’m a veteran guy. If I had an opportunity to win a championship, that’s what every guy at this level wants to do. . . . But I’m not sitting here and saying I want to be moved . . . If it happens, it happens."

The Oklahoma City trade with Denver sent Johan Petro to the Nuggets. Petro had two points and four rebounds in the seven minutes he played against his old team. While Atkins did not play the whole game.

Thunder's Mascot Is A Bison!

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:53:19 +0000

The Oklahoma City Thunder Mascot will be a Bison! It will be unveiled at haftime of the Feb. 17 game against the Hornets at the Ford Center!The Mascot’s name is still undecided. The costume is complete though and ready to go. Team officials announced the Bison will be an athletic one. A lot like Benny the Bull, and the Gorilla in Phoenix.