Daily Thunder.com

You know, just a little video of Kevin Durant being Kevin Durant. Upon seeing this, Rumble crawled into a corner and cried a little.

Other Kevin Durant

Rocky Widner/Getty Images

(Please welcome new DT contributor, Patrick James. Patrick is a Thunder season ticket holder and about as die hard a fan as you’ll come across. Plus, he’s really smart. So that’s good. He’s going to contribute some columns here, which I’m excited about. He starts out the way any Thunder fan should – by expressing slightly awkward man love for KD and Uncle Jeff.)

Kevin and Jeff,

Let’s go ahead and hit the pause button and keep it pressed down, because this is pretty much a love letter to you guys.  Thunder fans want you to stay. We want to grow old with you.

We love you, men.

You ARE the Thunder, along with the core group of your teammates who took us for a joyride last season that ended only minutes from May. More than that, you ARE basketball in Oklahoma City. We had a fling with the Chris Paul and the Hornets during their stay, but it becomes clearer with each passing day that the best gift they gave us was the possibility of you. We showed everyone we could be an NBA city, we voted to pay for the arena and renovate it ourselves to show our commitment capacity, and the basketball gods delivered us the team we want to … marry? Read more…

Commentary Free Agency, Jeff Green, Kevin Durant

Dime talked with D.J. Augustin and asked him about Kevin Durant: “DIME: Talk a little bit about Kevin Durant. I know you guys have some history together. Did you expect him to be this good this fast? DA: Yeah, I always knew KD would be the player that he is because I’ve never met anybody that is so talented and has the body that he has. He’s 6-9 and can play like a guard. And then his mental aspect of the game, I’ve never seen somebody work as hard as he does. He doesn’t know when to stop. I know he has all of those abilities and then has that attitude to go along with it. He’s going to be unstoppable. I’ve seen him work so hard, I had to stop myself like “Man, you need to chill.” He doesn’t know when to stop, man. He just loves basketball.”

Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld on KD’s extension: “In truth, there is only one superstar free agent whose future we can predict with absolute certainty: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant. Loyalty isn’t even the word to describe Durant’s feelings toward the Thunder and team GM Sam Presti. He feels OKC is home, and he looks forward to helping build that team up to the Western Conference powerhouse many believe they will be in the next couple of seasons. A source close to the situation told HOOPSWORLD recently that Durant can’t wait to sign the extension, and that he’ll waste no time doing it.” Read more…

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KD’s agent on his upcoming extension talks: “Kevin expects to have an opportunity to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder and continue to play,” said Durant’s agent, Aaron Goodwin. “And he fully believes that that opportunity should be a maximum opportunity, as do I … Kevin has surely put himself in position, by becoming a First-Team All-NBA player, by leading his team to the playoffs and the great run that they had, to be deserving of that.”

Cole Aldrich is throwing out the first pitch Wednesday at a Twins game. Read more…

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It may have not been a giant splash in the NBA universe when the Thunder traded their #21 and #26 picks to the Hornets for #11 pick Cole Aldrich and Morris Peterson’s $6.2 million dollar contract, but the ramifications of that maneuver revealed very interesting and very significant things about where the Thunder are at in the franchise’s young history and where they intend to go from here.

So let’s have a look at just what that maneuver means for the Thunder franchise:

1. The Thunder will not be players in free agency

All that cap space that so many people have been either complaining about (not using it) or raving about (we’re getting Bosh! we’re getting Bosh!!!!) regarding how to run a team and what the team will do in free agency and who they will go after.

Gone.

From Daequan Cook to Mo Peterson to the 11th overall pick in Cole Aldrich, that projected $15 million dollars in cap space has been widdled all the way down to about $6.6 million ($5.6 million if they re-sign Kyle Weaver) which is enough to sign a Mid-level type of talent but definitely not enough to make any kind of neon-lights signing.

Which the Thunder were really never in the running to make in the first place despite however many individuals pined after or hoped for Chris Bosh or David Lee to make their way to OKC. That scenario never resonated with Presti’s mantra and I’m sure most free agents never really viewed OKC as that undeniable dream landing spot for an elite NBA free agent.

Whatever. Their loss, right? Read more…

Commentary Cole Aldrich

Ron Adams is indeed headed to Chicago but Mo Cheeks is staying on the Thunder staff: “Adams, who resides in Chicago, came to Oklahoma City from the Bulls midway through the 2008-09 season. It’s unclear if Oklahoma City will replace Adams, who was the lead assistant to Scott Brooks. Thunder general manager Sam Presti and Brooks are expected to make a joint decision on a replacement over the next several weeks.”

Morris Peterson: “I definitely want to be in Oklahoma City,” Peterson said. “They’ve got great fan support, a class organization. And they’re a team that’s on the rise and I feel like I can come and give them some veteran leadership and help with my basketball skills.” Read more…

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(Morning friends. Thank you for your support of Daily Thunder. Go USA.)

So I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the Thunder drafted this guy named Cole Aldrich. And one of the underrated aspects of Aldrich is his personality. I don’t know what it is about those Jayhawks, but much like Nick Collison, Aldrich has a pretty good sense of humor. Observe here.

Video Cole Aldrich

By rule, an NBA team is allowed 15 roster spots of players signed and practicing, three of those being required inactive players. (You have to have 13 players with the team, one being out of uniform and inactive to be clear.) After the draft, Oklahoma City will have 15 players under contract, including new additions Morris Peterson, Cole Aldrich and Daequan Cook. Add Tibor Pleiss to the mix, who Sam Presti is expected to persuade to stay here instead of going back overseas, and that puts the Thunder at 16.

So, what’s the story with OKC’s new roster situation? Read more…

Commentary

Ziller grades the Thunder a B+: “After myriad moves, the Thunder pulled away with Cole Aldrich, a future Clippers first-round pick, the rights to Tibor Pleiss, the last season of Morris Peterson’s NBA career, and, for some reason, Ryan Reid. A fine night, indeed.”

Chad Ford: “The Aldrich pick is a solid choice for the Thunder. They don’t have a lot of depth in the middle and Aldrich should be able to block shots and rebound right away. He’s a decent offensive player with a good chance to improve. This is basically a need pick for the Thunder. While there may be better talent on the board, Aldrich can step right in and play.” Read more…

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Al Bello/Getty Images

Oklahoma City trades No. 21 and 26 for the rights to Cole Aldrich and Morris Peterson

We heard about it for weeks. The Thunder wanted in the lottery. And they got there, getting their man, Kansas product Cole Aldrich.

(Just so you know, this trade won’t be official until July 8 because of a moratorium period that I don’t completely understand. But it’s virtually a done deal.)

What’s weird about this is that Aldrich wasn’t really ever on many radars. We heard a ton about Daniel Orton. We heard a bunch about Solomon Alabi. We wondered if OKC could get high enough to grab Cousins or Monroe. But in the end, it was Cole Aldrich (and Morris Peterson) coming from New Orleans for the 21st and 26th pick.

Basically, if you deduce these events, the Thunder traded the 32nd, 21st and 26th pick for Aldrich, Daequan Cook and Peterson. That’s not bad at all. Before the night started, everyone agreed the Thunder’s needs were inside big man and shooter. Needs: addressed. Well, potentially. Cook is a proven shooter and even Peterson can stroke from outside, depending on where he fits on the roster, but Aldrich isn’t a finished product, at least offensively. And you would hope not, with the guy being 21 years old. Read more…

Commentary 2010 NBA Draft

Last year, we were in an entirely different boat. The Thunder’s place was set in stone and really the only question was, Rubio or Harden? Oklahoma City was picking in the top three and all eyes were on us. It was exciting.

This year, it’s different. The draft’s not nearly as exciting in a sense of the Thunder adding a top five impact player, but it’s probably more intriguing because of the options OKC comes in with. Three picks in the first round with only a couple of roster spots? Something’s gotta give here.

6:25 PM CST: Almost time for the fun to begin. The latest rumor coming from Marc Spears of Yahoo! is that Tibor Pleiss is rocketing up boards and OKC might take him at 18. Or OKC might trade that pick. Or OKC might not draft anyone at all and use the picks on a vending machine and a new copier for the coach’s office. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

6:35: This is taking far too long. It’s obvious this is a TV decision, just so that we can all hear from Jay Bilas, Jon Barry and Jeff Van Gundy talk about stuff we already know. I love television run draft events.

6:38: Oh, John Wall.

6:41: I swear I saw Daniel Orton in one of those John Wall highlights. I imagine we’ll see that same highlight when Orton is picked later, because you know, there aren’t many to pick from. Because he didn’t play very much you see. Read more…

Diary 2010 NBA Draft

Here’s an early afternoon recap of the trade rumors circling about involving Oklahoma City. I’ll update this throughout the day when more surface. Also, if you’re not going to Toby Keith’s, follow along with me as I do another wildly popular live draft diary of tonight’s events. It will be life-changing.

1:35 PM CST

• OKC and Indiana’s deal is dead, but the Thunder are now working with New Orleans to move up to No. 11, DX reports. OKC is using picks No. 18 and 21 as bait.

• However, Adrian Wojnarowski just reported the Thunder haven’t been successful in its efforts.

• Woj says the Hornets want to attach a contract to the deal, like Mo Peterson’s. Hmm, I remember someone hatching up this scenario one time… But then again, I also said OKC probably wouldn’t make a deal before draft day, so keep in mind here, I’m not really that smart. Read more…

Commentary 2010 NBA Draft

Adrian Wojnarowski says this: “No deal with Pacers, but Oklahoma City has been “relentless” trying to get into top 10. Why? Butler’s Gordon Hayward, league source says.” Gordon Hayward? I don’t get it. I like Hayward a lot, but for OKC? Doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. DX on the other hand, hears OKC is after Cole Aldrich.

Kevin Pelton analyzes last night’s trade: “If this was something of a gamble for the Heat, it was a no-brainer from Oklahoma City’s perspective. Sam Presti has maximized the Thunder’s cap space all year long. He ended up turning it into a pair of first-round picks, first Eric Maynor and now the No. 18 selection. The next step is important for Oklahoma City, since adding three rookies to a roster that’s already loaded with young talent doesn’t seem to make sense. Ideally, the Thunder will use two of the three picks to move up, and drafting a player to stash them overseas or dealing for future picks are also in play. In addition to the pick, Cook is hardly a typical contract dump. His salary for next season ($2.2 million, per Sham Sports) is perfectly reasonable, and Cook brings to Oklahoma City a skill (perimeter shooting) that is still in relatively short supply there. The Thunder has a chance to look at Cook next season and see if he can return to usefulness as a reserve; if not, Oklahoma City can cut bait at the end of the year with no further obligation.” Read more…

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UPDATE: Marc Spears of Yahoo! reports the deal was discussed but is now “doubtful”.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! just reported on Twitter that the Thunder and Pacers are in “serious talks” about a deal involving Eric Maynor, OKC’s 18th and 21st picks and the 10th overall pick held by Indiana. (Update: Chad Ford and Andy Katz are also reporting this too.)

I definitely don’t love that deal, and that’s not just because I like Eric Maynor a lot. But it’s pretty clear that today’s trade bringing Daequan Cook and the 18th pick to OKC was just the beginning. Presti is really cooking something up, but what it exactly is, isn’t really clear. Eric Maynor is nothing more than a quality backup point guard which isn’t the hardest thing in the world to replace. And I’m sure Maynor would love to go to Indy and become their starting point man right away. But for a team as desperate as Indiana to acquire a point guard, it just seems like a big price to pay for No. 10.

Who is Presti targeting? Will Greg Monroe last to No. 10? Possibly. Draft Express reported that the Warriors are extremely interested in Ekpe Udoh at six. The teams drafting seven to nine (Pistons, Clippers, Jazz) aren’t locks to draft a big man, but chances are pretty good they will. The Pistons have liked Ed Davis for a while, but if Monroe fell in their lap, I’m sure they’d have to think about it. And I don’t think Monroe would make it past Utah either.

DX also reported that OKC likes Cole Aldrich and Udoh at 10. If the Thunder got there, their options would open some as to what big man they could get, but is it really worth it? Is Aldrich worth Eric Maynor and two picks? Is Udoh, who is basically a watered down Serge Ibaka? Maybe Presti knows something and is expecting Monroe to fall, which would be fantastic but probably a pipe dream. Just getting to 18 opened up a number of new options, but drafting 10th would welcome a bunch of new faces into the equation. Patrick Patterson, Udoh, Aldrich, Al Farouq-Aminu, maybe Monroe and Ed Davis. But again, are those guys worth Maynor and two picks? I don’t really think so.

Whatever the case, don’t go anywhere. Stuff is going down and this is starting to get good. At this point, if Presti traded the 51st pick for Kyle Korver and the ninth pick, I don’t think I’d be surprised.

Commentary 2010 NBA Draft

Update: The deal is official now

I don’t know how he does it, but Sam Presti has struck again. According to ESPN.com’s Ric Bucher, the Thunder have acquired sharpshooting guard Daequan Cook AND the 18th pick for OKC’s 32nd pick. That’s right, a quality shooter and a top 20 pick for the 32nd pick.

I don’t really have much commentary other than this is obviously a fantastic deal. The Heat obviously wanted out of the first round so they didn’t have to pay a guaranteed contract and wanted to shed Cook’s money so they have money to go after a big free agent. He may be look at as a throw-in, but he’s a good player and I’m sure OKC will give him a good look as a contributor. And something tells me Presti and the Thunder aren’t done swapping. Now OKC owns three first rounders and I’m sure Presti is looking to move up a little more.

Cook last season averaged five points a game in 15.4 minutes a game in 45 games. Cook also won the 2009 3-point contest, dethroning champ Jason Kapono.

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