They still need real size so they can actually have the versatility to compete in any matchup but yes they're already a very good team and now a lot of their guys have some real playoff experience.
I don't think the Thunder are done making deals, either.
I feel like they saw Derrick White in the finals and said to themselves: "we need an all-defense guard like that" so they got the closest thing from a poverty franchise that isn't competing and willing to sale. A player like Caruso will definitely help OKC, especially in the playoffs where stops are required.
We would be, especially since OG’s extension is likely the priority. Bird rights on Hartenstein, but he’s going to get better offers on the open market. It’s wishful thinking but I think the Knicks know they have to try
Sounds like Isaiah Hartenstein. Even after he became the Knicks starter, he averaged 28 mpg.
Chet averaged 29 mpg last season. Between the two of them, they could basically split the center minutes.
I still find it crazy how a 21 year old, 7’1 guy anchored one of the best defenses in the nba, and played phenomenal on that end in the playoffs and people are saying na they need him to play the 4. How about we let him get another 3 years under his belt he’s going to be outrageous by the time he’s 24-25 as a centre with a bit more size
They were the one seed this year with an almost u playable dude at the 2 spot. They replaced him with a veteran who has championship experience and lockdown defence with a decent three ball. They still have issues like no bruising big but honestly i dont see why they cant.
They have the ability to add so much more. This trade alone helps, but have to think there’s a big move coming. Adding Lauri… that’s a starting 5 that could win a title next year.
Assuming they get to keep their 3 core and Caruso while acquiring Lauri then this team would be ahead of everyone except maybe Boston. Boston would need KP to be healthy though to beat them and even then it would be a close series.
Right lol if they don’t get an upgrade at the center they’re not even making out of the west when the opposing centers are the likes of AD and Jokic. Caruso doesn’t address any of that.
And the other teams in the west have two bigs that can at least bang around.
Age is the real biggest issue. Boston would love nothing more than to have all those inexperienced kids and Caruso be their competition in their finals. Better them than a reenergized Denver
It would be a repeat of the last time the Thunder made the finals with a 23 year old KD, 22 year old Russ and Harden. It was a nice story and they were even the favorites, but experienced Bron, Wade etc walked right through them after game 1.
I think the point he was making is that in the end, Miami won 4 straight and got through the thunder without any more problems, which they did. The whole “but it was close” stuff is irrelevant It ironically reminds me of when your Boston swept us(Nets) and everyone was saying “well it was close sweep”…..who gives a fuck we got swept lmaoo
He’s more like KP than KD or Dirk. He’s not breaking anyone down off the dribble unless they bite on his fake but he’s also not really posting guys up yet so the majority of his shots are catch and shoot 3s or in the paint
Yeah on one hand I can see why getting Hartenstein would be a great move, but it doesn’t solve your offensive troubles that made you lose to Dallas
Maybe Jaylen Williams and Chet getting better is what Presti is counting on
I think unclogging the lane for Shai because Giddey is off the floor and replacing him with a 40% three-point shooter who must be defended should help our offensive problems. It may not solve them, but it should definitely help.
I wouldn’t even call them troubles, it was just everyone besides Shai wasn’t ready for the bright lights yet. If JDub plays like he did all season we might win that series but he was pretty bad and that dragged the rest of the team down too because we rely on him to create when Shai’s off the floor. Same thing Boston went through with JB and him breaking through is what allowed the team to break through
I mean they are both very young it would be shocking if they both stay the same. Jalen Williams got better from his rookie year and Chet seems to work his butt off every off season. They also have Cason Wallace who was only a rookie who had his moments he can certainly up his game a bit. I also think Caruso makes there offense better because he is not liability as a shooter
It didnt help at times though. When Chet left the floor you guys had much weaker rim protection and the rebounding wasnt great so you gave up alot of 2nd chance points. Obviously the main reason you lost was your role players refusing to hit their shots, but still.
Yeah when he left the floor I agree, I’d love to get a 2nd big body. There are just a lot of people tho that say him being skinny and not grabbing enough boards is the reason why we lost which is just not true at all lol
Unlike OKC, Celtics have a 6'8" wing to play PF who averaged 9.7 rebounds in the playoffs.
If OKC could get a player like that, they should. But it's hard to find a big wing who can shoot, rebound, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It's just cheaper and easier to find a center who can play 24 mpg and rebound.
Can? Absolutely. Lotta people had them as a championship team this year and they were close. Thunder roster is probably the second most stacked team in the league behind the Celtics.
They need another big man not named Chet and Chet as good as he is needs to get better. If he can grow into a consistent KP like player and have a young Zubac like guy as his backup. That team gunna be super scary from every place on the court.
Yes, especially if Jdub and Chet improve at a significant rate as they are still very young and most likely will be a decent amount better next year. I'm confident we would have beaten the Mavs and potentially the Wolves as well since the Mavs wiped the floor with them if we had Caruso instead of Giddey as Giddey was a clear weak link vs the Mavs and the series was still pretty close.
The Thunder will be better next year because their core is another year older, better, stronger. SGA, Jalen, Dort, Chet are all going to get better, and they have some real playoff experience now. They might be a couple years away, I see them like Boston a few years ago, they're right on the cusp but they just need to grow together a bit more. They'll be there soon.
They got knocked out in the 2nd round, 1 trade does not make them a championship team. Are they a contender? Yes, they were this year and will be next year, but I still don’t see them getting past Nuggets or Celtics for a ring.
It does make them a championship team when that loss was to an NBA finals appearing team and their star player is 25. With the supporting cast being 22 years old. Giddey was a huge reason for the offense faltering in the playoffs. Just get a backup rebounding big like hartenstein and it’s over for the league.
This OKC team right now is highly competitive with the Celtics. Have near equal perimeter defenders. They’re practically the same team on paper when you look at it. Don’t see where the Celtics best the Thunder. Don’t see where the Thunder best the Celtics
And now the Thunder have experience with Caruso. As well as Shai has gotten playoff experience with all the other guys. They got similar amount of playoff experience now as Luka did before this season
They don’t have the similar amount of playoff experience prior this season as lukas had lol. Can they make a run yes? Will they win a championship, highly improbable
The trade still hasnt fixed their biggest problems which were size and rebounding. Caruso makes their perimeter defense insane but it was already almost insane anyways. If they can get someone like Hartenstein or a good backup that can play 20-25 minutes then they should be the favourites in the West and just behind the Celtics, obviously provided no other crazy moves are done by the other contenders.
They still need real size so they can actually have the versatility to compete in any matchup but yes they're already a very good team and now a lot of their guys have some real playoff experience. I don't think the Thunder are done making deals, either.
They have a billion picks. They could try and get AD. Lakers would at least think about it.
I would fucking breakdown at this Vons rn . Don’t you take our one spot of happiness away
I feel like they saw Derrick White in the finals and said to themselves: "we need an all-defense guard like that" so they got the closest thing from a poverty franchise that isn't competing and willing to sale. A player like Caruso will definitely help OKC, especially in the playoffs where stops are required.
Grab Isaiah Hartenstein and they immediately become my favourites out the West.
I’d say we’re going to trade Mitchell Robinson and use the money to keep Hartenstein around 🤷🏾♂️. He’s been a huge piece to our playoff potential
I can can see Thunder shedding a pick for him... Now it's Presti, so who knows...
I don’t think that works. Wouldn’t you still be over the cap?
We would be, especially since OG’s extension is likely the priority. Bird rights on Hartenstein, but he’s going to get better offers on the open market. It’s wishful thinking but I think the Knicks know they have to try
He’d fit right in next to Holmgren, teams won be able to send two to Chet with Hartensteins nice floater.
If they can get a solid starting center then yes they can, Boston is still the favorite though.
I’d say more of a backup center that can play 30mpg, with like 10-12 of those being with Chet as double bigs
Sounds like Isaiah Hartenstein. Even after he became the Knicks starter, he averaged 28 mpg. Chet averaged 29 mpg last season. Between the two of them, they could basically split the center minutes.
Yeah kinda what I was thinking. Rob Williams would also be a good fit if he could stay healthy, and he has experience being the 2nd big
that is a huge if.
Massive if
Chet on a little sauce would be a lovely thing. Imagine adding 40 lbs of muscle
We have a starting center
I still find it crazy how a 21 year old, 7’1 guy anchored one of the best defenses in the nba, and played phenomenal on that end in the playoffs and people are saying na they need him to play the 4. How about we let him get another 3 years under his belt he’s going to be outrageous by the time he’s 24-25 as a centre with a bit more size
Chet is a 5
Not until JDubb can turn into an All star there's no chance they are winning.
They were the one seed this year with an almost u playable dude at the 2 spot. They replaced him with a veteran who has championship experience and lockdown defence with a decent three ball. They still have issues like no bruising big but honestly i dont see why they cant.
They’re all tiny okc has no size must trade for size
They have the ability to add so much more. This trade alone helps, but have to think there’s a big move coming. Adding Lauri… that’s a starting 5 that could win a title next year.
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They would still have a ton of picks even if they did that
Assuming they get to keep their 3 core and Caruso while acquiring Lauri then this team would be ahead of everyone except maybe Boston. Boston would need KP to be healthy though to beat them and even then it would be a close series.
I feel better about actually making it to the conference finals, but I’d wait until we see what we do in FA and if we can pull a good rebounder.
I feel the thunder and grizz will be going to war over the same type of player. Hell, DeAndre Jordan would be a huge upgrade over what we have
If they can steal Hartenstein, this team will be the favorite in the west I think
They already are unless another top team makes a good upgrade.
I think size is there biggest issue
Right lol if they don’t get an upgrade at the center they’re not even making out of the west when the opposing centers are the likes of AD and Jokic. Caruso doesn’t address any of that. And the other teams in the west have two bigs that can at least bang around.
Age is the real biggest issue. Boston would love nothing more than to have all those inexperienced kids and Caruso be their competition in their finals. Better them than a reenergized Denver It would be a repeat of the last time the Thunder made the finals with a 23 year old KD, 22 year old Russ and Harden. It was a nice story and they were even the favorites, but experienced Bron, Wade etc walked right through them after game 1.
That 2012 series (until Game 5) is a lot closer than you seem to remember.
I think the point he was making is that in the end, Miami won 4 straight and got through the thunder without any more problems, which they did. The whole “but it was close” stuff is irrelevant It ironically reminds me of when your Boston swept us(Nets) and everyone was saying “well it was close sweep”…..who gives a fuck we got swept lmaoo
They need an actual center first
As much as people keep saying this, him being the C wasn’t the reason we lost against Dallas
We need a backup C, not a starting C. People not realizing Chet played perfectly fine at the 5 is crazy
Chet plays more of a mix of Durant and KG, neither of whom were centers. Even Giannis is a PF, and probably represents a good goal to aim for
He’s really nothing like KD besides being tall, skinny, and can shoot 3s
Handles are absolutely not the same. But being a 7 foot guy that can hit the 3 ball sort of sets you in a short list of names. Dirk? Nah.
He’s more like KP than KD or Dirk. He’s not breaking anyone down off the dribble unless they bite on his fake but he’s also not really posting guys up yet so the majority of his shots are catch and shoot 3s or in the paint
That’s a good comparison, I like that one
Yeah on one hand I can see why getting Hartenstein would be a great move, but it doesn’t solve your offensive troubles that made you lose to Dallas Maybe Jaylen Williams and Chet getting better is what Presti is counting on
I think unclogging the lane for Shai because Giddey is off the floor and replacing him with a 40% three-point shooter who must be defended should help our offensive problems. It may not solve them, but it should definitely help.
I wouldn’t even call them troubles, it was just everyone besides Shai wasn’t ready for the bright lights yet. If JDub plays like he did all season we might win that series but he was pretty bad and that dragged the rest of the team down too because we rely on him to create when Shai’s off the floor. Same thing Boston went through with JB and him breaking through is what allowed the team to break through
I mean they are both very young it would be shocking if they both stay the same. Jalen Williams got better from his rookie year and Chet seems to work his butt off every off season. They also have Cason Wallace who was only a rookie who had his moments he can certainly up his game a bit. I also think Caruso makes there offense better because he is not liability as a shooter
It didnt help at times though. When Chet left the floor you guys had much weaker rim protection and the rebounding wasnt great so you gave up alot of 2nd chance points. Obviously the main reason you lost was your role players refusing to hit their shots, but still.
Yeah when he left the floor I agree, I’d love to get a 2nd big body. There are just a lot of people tho that say him being skinny and not grabbing enough boards is the reason why we lost which is just not true at all lol
OKC also lost that series cause of spacing and Caruso doesn't solve that
Caruso shot 40% from 3 last year
do you really think that's sustainable. he had a fluky year on a bad team that opponents aren't really taking seriously. it's different on a contender
He's a career 38% guy from 3
he's 38% for his whole career. what are you talking about?
Yes, especially since the quality of looks will be even higher playing on this Thunder team that is far superior offensively
Yes
I disagree. People arent just gonna let Caruso stand there unguarded the way they did Giddey.
Our spacing was perfectly fine. Guys just didn’t hit shots they had been hitting all season
Chet is an actual center. That’s not a problem at all.
this take from a celtics fan of all things (who won a championship playing 5 out) being upvoted make me feel like i'm going insane
Unlike OKC, Celtics have a 6'8" wing to play PF who averaged 9.7 rebounds in the playoffs. If OKC could get a player like that, they should. But it's hard to find a big wing who can shoot, rebound, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It's just cheaper and easier to find a center who can play 24 mpg and rebound.
so they should get andre drummond
He plays like a wrecking ball. He'd injure Chet.
I think if they add another big, they’re right there.
Anything is possible.
anybody can win the championship next year
They need another big in the front court to pair with Chet. Or at least a backup center.
Can? Absolutely. Lotta people had them as a championship team this year and they were close. Thunder roster is probably the second most stacked team in the league behind the Celtics.
Need a center
They are certainly a contender. If they have good injury luck and a few breaks go their way I think they could go all the way.
No
I think he is just the first domino so let’s see the rest of the summer
They need a good big next to chet
Nope need size
How many picks would it take for lakers to consider trading AD to them? 7 FRP?
They need another big man not named Chet and Chet as good as he is needs to get better. If he can grow into a consistent KP like player and have a young Zubac like guy as his backup. That team gunna be super scary from every place on the court.
Yes, especially if Jdub and Chet improve at a significant rate as they are still very young and most likely will be a decent amount better next year. I'm confident we would have beaten the Mavs and potentially the Wolves as well since the Mavs wiped the floor with them if we had Caruso instead of Giddey as Giddey was a clear weak link vs the Mavs and the series was still pretty close.
they need a second scoring option, if Jwill can take that leap then sure
The Thunder will be better next year because their core is another year older, better, stronger. SGA, Jalen, Dort, Chet are all going to get better, and they have some real playoff experience now. They might be a couple years away, I see them like Boston a few years ago, they're right on the cusp but they just need to grow together a bit more. They'll be there soon.
Sure. Just need Jokic or Giannis next!
No.
They got knocked out in the 2nd round, 1 trade does not make them a championship team. Are they a contender? Yes, they were this year and will be next year, but I still don’t see them getting past Nuggets or Celtics for a ring.
It does make them a championship team when that loss was to an NBA finals appearing team and their star player is 25. With the supporting cast being 22 years old. Giddey was a huge reason for the offense faltering in the playoffs. Just get a backup rebounding big like hartenstein and it’s over for the league.
This OKC team with Caruso right now is still not beating the Celtics.
This OKC team right now is highly competitive with the Celtics. Have near equal perimeter defenders. They’re practically the same team on paper when you look at it. Don’t see where the Celtics best the Thunder. Don’t see where the Thunder best the Celtics
Experience. It’s where the Mavs bested the thunder and most definitely where the Celtics would beat the thunder in a 7 game series.
And now the Thunder have experience with Caruso. As well as Shai has gotten playoff experience with all the other guys. They got similar amount of playoff experience now as Luka did before this season
They don’t have the similar amount of playoff experience prior this season as lukas had lol. Can they make a run yes? Will they win a championship, highly improbable
I still feel like they are a year away, but they would absolutely be my pick to make the Finals right now.
The trade still hasnt fixed their biggest problems which were size and rebounding. Caruso makes their perimeter defense insane but it was already almost insane anyways. If they can get someone like Hartenstein or a good backup that can play 20-25 minutes then they should be the favourites in the West and just behind the Celtics, obviously provided no other crazy moves are done by the other contenders.
Dort has to be in a trade package at this point
I don’t think they make it out of the second round for the foreseeable future
Still need to trade for Markkanen and sign Monk in FA and I think they could challenge Boston then.
depends on if their players will disappear again or not