Thunder Trade Rumors

Thunder endures intense practice
0 Comment
January 5
The Oklahoman
 
"Thunder players labeled Sunday's practice as one of the most spirited of the season. The entire session was closed to the media, but players could be heard yelling from beyond the practice facility's closed door throughout the longer-than-normal, 2 1/2-hour practice. We were going at each other, trying to push each other," said center Robert Swift. "It was a little bit tougher, so we were trying to keep each other motivated."Thunder coach Scott Brooks put the team through scrimmages and again drilled on defensive principles."Practice was good today," Brooks said. "We got a lot accomplished on the defensive end. We continue to need spirited practices. That's how you get better."White ..."
Clock is ticking for city's NBA hopes
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January 5
Seattle Times
 columnist Steve Kelley
"Inside KeyArena these days it feels like a ghost town. It is a spectral place. The echoes of the NBA still are in the building. The ghosts of Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, Nate McMillan and Ray Allen still can be felt on the floor, in the stands, in the hallways underneath the arena. The banners honoring great past Sonics and past seasons still hang from the rafters, reminders of how much that team once meant to this community. The Sonics have left the building, and there is a profound sense of sadness inside here now. A sense of loss. Even the nickname has been painted over on the hardwood behind the baselines. Where it once said "SEATTLE SONICS," the "SONICS" has been covered and the new ..."
Nets will pass on matching OKC's bid for Nenad Krstic
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December 19
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"It looks like that offer sheet Nenad Krstic received this morning from Oklahoma City is valued at $15.58M over three, starting with $4.78 million for the first year. In which case the Nets will say, "Enjoy your new gulag." They have seven days to make up their minds, but the initial reactions in-house are a near-unanimous thumbs-down. Yes, he would have fit in very nicely with this offense, and yes, there was a time in the pre-ACL days that we all thought he was headed for a 6-and-50 payday for his prime years. It's not that they don't think Curly will regain what he once had - they still think he'll be a starting-quality big again someday. Remember, it's only been two years since that ..."
Kevin Durant: 'I want to be here as long as possible'
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November 26
The Oklahoman
 
"Welcome to the Land of LeBron, where talk around here centers on whether King James will flee to The Big Apple in 2010 more than whether he can lead a suddenly dangerous Cavs team to an NBA title in 2008-09. The Cavs enter tonight's game against the Thunder coming off a 119-101 road thumping of the Knicks inside Madison Square Garden, giving New York fans and media a glimpse of the player who could become the most sought after free agent in NBA history and one the Knicks are desperately trying to get their hands on. The Knicks traded Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins to the Clippers last week and Jamal Crawford to the Warriors on the same day in an attempt to clear salary cap space for the ..."
Thunder notebook: Looking to add at least one assistant
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November 25
The Oklahoman
 
"Thunder coach Scott Brooks is expected to add at least one assistant to his staff after stepping in for fired coach P.J. Carlesimo. Brooks said Monday that a hire could take up to a few weeks but is confident holdover assistants Ralph Lewis and Mark Bryant and player development assistant Brian Keefe can combine to plug the current hole in the staff. The Thunder lost assistant coach Paul Westhead along with Carlesimo."
Thunder fires P.J. Carlesimo after 1-12 start
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November 22
The Oklahoman
 
"The Oklahoma City Thunder has fired coached P.J. Carlesimo, according to league sources. Assistant coach Scott Brooks is believed to have been named the interim coach.The Thunder is a league-worst 1-12 headed into Saturday night's game at New Orleans. Its 105-80 loss at home Friday to the Hornets was Oklahoma City's 10th straight defeat.Carlesimo guided the Seattle SuperSonics to a franchise-worst 20-62 record last season before the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City.The Thunder has lost by an average of 14 points during its current losing streak, and front office executives became increasingly incensed with the team's lack of effort. Oklahoma City has trailed by at least 30 points in ..."
Thunder point guard Earl Watson dismisses trade rumor
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November 10
The Oklahoman
 
"Thunder point guard Earl Watson dismissed a report in Sunday's editions of the New York Daily News that he's seeking a trade. "To me, it's kind of like speculation because I've never said anything to nobody," Watson said. "It wasn't a direct quote, so I don't know where he was going with that comment."The report claimed Watson, the team's starter, was "stuck behind rookie Russell Westbrook." Watson, however, was fourth on the team in minutes played before Sunday's game against Atlanta.Watson said he hasn't spoken with his agent, Dan Fegan, or Thunder general manager, Sam Presti, regarding a trade."I definitely haven't gone to Sam," Watson said. "If it was to the point where I needed to do ..."
James Donaldson not as optimistic as Gary Payton about NBA team
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October 14
Seattle Times
 
"Former Seattle Sonic James Donaldson said he met with Gary Payton last week, but says he isn't interested in becoming an NBA owner and disagrees with Payton about a team returning to Seattle by 2011. "I'm not quite that optimistic simply because I realize that KeyArena is still going to be an issue for any NBA team that comes to town," said Donaldson, who is running for Seattle City Council in 2009. "Probably within the next 5-10 years realistically. Three years might be overly optimistic unless everything really lines up and plays out just perfectly." On Sunday, Payton said he was teaming with Donaldson to bring a team to Seattle. "I'm inside with the NBA a little bit," Payton said. "I ..."
Payton predicts NBA will return in 2011
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October 13
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"Former Sonics star Gary Payton believes the NBA will return to Seattle within three years, and he doesn't plan to let his former franchise, now the Oklahoma City Thunder, retire his number. "I think I made that clear, I didn't play in Oklahoma, so it wouldn't be anything that I'm looking forward to because I didn't play for the Oklahoma Thunder," he said at the Seahawks game on Sunday, where he raised the 12th Man flag. "I don't think that Oklahoma should get the benefits of seeing me raise my number. I think these people here are the people who have seen me and made me who I am." Although Payton was welcomed back graciously by the fans at Qwest Field, he would rather have been honored ..."
Williams trade being explored
0 Comment
August 13
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"Milwaukee Bucks guard Mo Williams could be headed to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade, with the Bucks targeting point guard Luke Ridnour of the Oklahoma City franchise, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics. NBA sources confirmed that there had been discussions involving the three teams. Cleveland is searching for backcourt help to complement LeBron James, and Williams could fit the bill. But Williams carries a hefty price tag with five years and $43 million left on the $51 million contract the point guard signed with the Bucks before last season, when he was an unrestricted free agent. Cleveland had some interest in Williams last summer, and the Miami Heat made him an offer, but he ..."
Oklahoma is OK by C.J. Miles
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July 19
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"There won't be anybody questioning C.J. Miles' decision to skip the Rocky Mountain Revue any longer. Now the Jazz's biggest concern is whether Miles will be playing for another team entirely this season. Miles signed a four-year, $15 million contract Friday with Oklahoma City, according to sources. Utah will have seven days to decide about matching the offer sheet and keeping the restricted free-agent guard."
Looking at the possible NBA Seattle might be able to lure
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July 13
Seattle Times
 
"As distasteful as it may seem for many local basketball fans, Seattle officials can learn a lot from Clay Bennett as they attempt to lure an NBA team. "If you're going to play this game and win, you must have commitments from three places: the private sector, the public sector and the NBA," said Marc Ganis, president of Sportscorp Ltd., a Chicago-based sports-industry consulting firm. "Oklahoma City had all three." Now that the dust has settled from the surprising July 2 settlement between the city of Seattle and Bennett, which allowed him to pay $45 million and immediately move the team, local officials face the cold realization that securing another franchise is no slam dunk. In ..."
Najera Being Heavily Persued
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July 10
Rocky Mountain News
 (scroll down)
"It remains to be seen if the Nuggets, who also want to re-sign restricted free agent J.R. Smith, will spend enough to keep free-agent forward Eduardo Najera. Najera, whose preference is to re-sign, said early Wednesday evening he hasn't received any offers. Word is New Jersey has made Najera a primary target. General manager Kiki Vandeweghe had that job in Denver from 2001- 06. "Kiki brought me to Denver (in March 2005), and I know he does things the right way," Najera said. "He's trying to get a team to compete in the East. . . . I'm ready for any kind of offer. I'm excited if they're considering signing me." Najera named Dallas, Golden State, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, New Orleans ..."
Najera has attention of Denver, plenty of others
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July 9
Rocky Mountain News
 
"The Nuggets want to retain free-agent forward Eduardo Najera, with coach George Karl having called him twice during the first week of free agency. But there are other suitors. On the eve of today's first day for signing free agents, Najera said there's "no doubt" his preference is to re-sign. But he said New Orleans has jumped into the picture and the former Seattle team has gained momentum after its move to Oklahoma City, the area where Najera lives and played in college."
Najera Looks At All Options
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July 3
Rocky Mountain News
 
"Najera has other suitors. One is Milwaukee, where Najera's former Oklahoma coach, Kelvin Sampson, is an assistant. "A reunion would be great," Najera said. "But I'm not ready for that unless the Nuggets aren't a possibility." Najera expressed similar sentiments about the Spurs and SuperSonics, who have contacted Fegan. Najera played in high school in San Antonio, and Seattle will move to Oklahoma City, where Najera lives. Dallas and New Jersey also have expressed interest. But the Mavericks, whom Najera played for from 2000 to 2004, might be out after agreeing to use their full midlevel exception on DeSagana Diop."
Trade rumors swirling around Heat
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June 25
Miami Herald
 (scroll down)
"The Heat is linked to several possible deals, including sending Wade to Chicago for the No. 1 pick, second-year forward Tyrus Thomas and veteran shooting guard Larry Hughes; drafting Beasley and shipping him and center Mark Blount to Seattle for the No. 4 pick and forward Chris Wilcox; or dealing Beasley and Blount or guard Daequan Cook to Memphis for the No. 5 pick, forward Mike Miller and either guard Kyle Lowry or Mike Conley Jr. A source close to the Grizzlies said Memphis has no interest in parting with Conley."
Trades? They're a comin'
2 Comment
June 10
Toronto Sun
 
"The calendar and the weather may suggest otherwise, but the NBA climate has the feel of February. Much like the frenzy and wild speculation that serve as a prelude to the league's trade deadline, caution must be observed and logic exercised. With so many teams looking to improve and so many names being bandied about, it wouldn't surprise any one if one or two roster-altering moves are completed, perhaps more. Until the NBA final runs its course, no deal will be announced in an environment where there's no shortage of possibilities, some that appear to have merit."
Arizona's Jerryd Bayless heads list to work out for Sonics
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June 10
Seattle Times
 
"Arizona guard Jerryd Bayless headlines a list of 15 players scheduled to work out for the team this week. Bayless, 6 feet 3, is thought to be the player the Sonics willwith the fourth pick in the June 26 draft. Seattle also selects 24th overall and has four second-round picks. Bayless, 19, averaged 19.7 points, 4.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 3.0 turnovers this past season as a freshman at Arizona. The Sonics will also bring in Indiana guard Eric Gordon, a candidate for the No. 4 pick."
Sonics name new executive
May 8
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"The Sonics will name Utah Jazz head scout Troy Weaver as their assistant general manager, two NBA sources told the Seattle P-I on Wednesday. Weaver replaces Scott Perry, who spent one season in Seattle before returning to the Detroit Pistons as vice president of basketball operations. The Sonics had no comment on the assistant general manager search."
Utah Jazz executive Troy Weaver expected to accept Sonics assistant GM job
May 8
Seattle Times
 
"Troy Weaver, a front-office executive with the Utah Jazz, is the top candidate to fill the Sonics' vacant assistant general manager position and he's expected to accept an offer from the team, according to two NBA sources. The sources spoke anonymously because an official announcement is forthcoming. Sonics general manager Sam Presti was unavailable for comment Wednesday. Weaver joined Utah in 2003 as a head scout and spent the past season as director of player personnel. He built a reputation as a keen talent evaluator and was instrumental in the Jazz drafting guards Deron Williams, C.J. Miles and Ronnie Brewer and forward Paul Millsap."
Carlesimo still in limbo
May 1
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
 
"While Kevin Durant receives the rookie of the year award Thursday morning, club officials still will be pondering the future of coach P.J. Carlesimo. Two weeks ago, Sonics general manager Sam Presti did not commit to Carlesimo returning as coach next season. According to a league source, the team's brass is still deliberating about Carlesimo's future. Presti has not spoken with the media since April 17, but when asked three times during the postseason session, he would not confirm Carlesimo's return."
Firing Puts New Coach in Crowded Marketplace
May 1
New York Times
 
"Avery Johnson was fired by the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, and Mike D’Antoni clung loosely to his job in Phoenix — their fates underscoring that success is no guarantee of security for N.B.A. head coaches. The Mavericks fired Johnson a day after his team was eliminated from the playoffs by the New Orleans Hornets. The Suns also lost their first-round series, to the San Antonio Spurs, amid widespread reports that D’Antoni would be replaced."
Jackson may get spot on Knicks bench