Daily Thunder.com

I like Cook better as a spot up shooter that can hang with bigger 2's. We need to go after bigger scoring 2 or 3.

Maynor had change of pace and pure point ability that could score. Jenkins is undersize and slower. I dont see him or Jimmer making it. Euro league with Rubio

@ DXL
Jenkins has over 10 pounds on Daequan Cook and is an inch shorter on wingspan. Good luck trying to muscle him; the dude is ripped. 16 bench presses at the combine and 4.3% body fat.

@ Sammy
He has a very short standing reach. Short of Jason Terry, I don't know what 2-guard he would have any use against, especially with his limited athleticism. NBA guys (even bench guys) will be blowing right by him, and pretty much every SG (including bench guys) could shoot right over him. I'm not saying there is no use for an efficient scorer (efficiency doesn't actually translate well to the NBA), just that we don't have use for one that can't play the 2.

If we didn't have Maynor or swapped him for a SG, Jenkins would make sense. As it is, Jenkins looks like an unathletic Nate Robinson to me.

@Sammy
Forget about shooting guard, Jenkins would get destroyed by the size of most NBA back-up shooting guards. How would he handle Nick Young? Not well.

Jenkins must convert to point guard because that's the only position he could possibly defend. If he can get quicker.

Steph Curry, Eric Maynor, Charles Jenkins: all played at small colleges, all about the same size and wingspan, all put up great college stats as their team's primary scorer. What's the difference? Look at the game film.

Curry was remarkably quick and had a world class skill: a release on his jumper that's as fast as anybody's in the world. He's become a borderline all-star.

Maynor was sneaky quick, with great change of pace and he had one very good skill: an effective floater. He's become one of the better back-up point guards in the league.

From the game film, Jenkins looks much, much slower than Curry and a bit slower than Maynor. That's a big problem, he won't be able to create his own shot and he can't defend NBA point guards (imagine him trying to defend Russ or Ty Lawson). I see that Jenkins is a crafty scorer but I don't see any particularly good skill that would stand out on the NBA level. I just don't see him becoming a rotation player on a good team.

@ Keith
He's got a 6'7" wingspan and, as an off-guard off the bench, you're not going to be up against a lot of opposing twos that are gonna destroy you. His DX report says he has good instincts closing out on shooters. Plus you have Thabo at the three and Nick-Aldrich/Okur/whoever to help cover for him. It'd be a much bigger issue if you were relying on him to play 35 minutes a game next to someone his same size, like Curry/Ellis

My problem with Jenkins is that he's tiny. As in, too small to ever have a chance of effectively guarding 2s. Now, that would be fine if we were using him as a scoring point in relief of Russ, but we wouldn't, Maynor has that spot on lockdown. I can't see Maynor defending 2s either, so we would get gashed once Harden checks out. It's kind of like Terry on the Mavs, except no Jason Kidd to guard SGs.

I have a reasonable question. How how of a draft pick could we acquire for Thabo and the 24?

@ Sammy
This is kind of where I am on Jenkins, too. It's not that I think he's the best value at 24, or will develop into a starter or anything like that. If the evaluations of him are accurate, though, he should be able to contribute off the bench as a scorer immediately and that seems to be the consensus 'biggest-need' right now. Obviously, I'm not going to be upset if we take another prospect with more upside, it just seems, given that we've got to be in title-run mode at this point, it makes more sense to grab a player who can contribute immediately rather than in a few years. I suppose we could find a player to fit that role in free agency, but given the uncertainty surrounding the offseason, I'm not comfortable counting on that.

@ Jax Raging Bile Duct
The things I value most at in the later picks for teams with their cores already set is an extremely dedicated work-habit as well as production. The 4-year Eric Maynor types that have a lesser chance of failure. Think of the Spurs picks over the last decade. The reach for the stars picks based on tools are better suited for teams that need higher ceilings on their team.

@ Jax Raging Bile Duct
I'll be perfectly honest and say that the only play I've seen of Jenkins is what I've seen on youtube. I can pretty much guarantee, though, that Isaiah Thomas does not help this team. I'd take Justin Holiday before I take Thomas. What Jenkins brings is basically the ability to play Harden-lite off the bench when Harden gets moved to the starting lineup. Defensively, Thabo can help cover for him. He can shoot the ball as well as anybody, he can create off the pick and roll, he's shown good court vision, and he has an extremely natural feel for good shot selection. His highlights show that he's got some crafty moves getting into the lane and finishing through contact. I dunno. He seems like an ideal candidate for what we need. He could very well bust, but I'd take my chances on him above anyone else at our draft slot.

@Sammy

I do appreciate Jenkin's efficiency though. Don't get me wrong, those stats paint a pretty picture. But if you remember my opinions from past year's draft discussions, I highly value athleticism, probably above all else.

@logging

DEAL!

@Sammy

It's tough to say for me, since I've never seen one minute of Jenkin's 4 year career. But I liked what I saw from Thomas, and feel comfortable with guys who have been working on only one position their whole lives. Thomas looked good to me.

But, to play the devil's advocate here, couldn't you say the same thing about the competition that Jenkins has played... that it tells you little to nothing about how well he moves around a defender on the dribble, how well he can split a double team, his skill at passing out of the p-n-r, his instincts and ability to focus on the defensive end? Lots of slow-ish combo guards can look great against mediocre competition.

You've won jax. If you come to Spain I'll buy you a beer

According to draftexpress both Mirotic and Davis Bertans are withdrawing from the draft.

@ Jax Raging Bile Duct
Jax, I'm a UW fan. Isaiah Thomas is destined to be a poor man's Nate Rob. Could be a rotation player on a bad team, but will never be one on a good one. Jenkins is maybe number one on my draft board right now (considering our slot). Combine measurements are extremely overrated; they tell you nothing about how well a player moves around a defender on the dribble, how well he can split a double team, his skill at passing out of the p-n-r, his instincts and ability to focus on the defensive end.

@DXL

Via @DraftExpress
Look for Nikola Mirotic and Davis Bertans to withdraw from the draft on monday. Good news for NCAA players. Two spots in 1st round opened up

http://twitter.com/#!/DraftExpress/status/79264008...

@Jimbo Slice

At number 24, if you can get a guy who can score efficiently off the bench, I think that's a pretty good get. Like we talked about yesterday - Marcus Thornton style.

Some players are just more effective in 10 minutes a game, and he's probably one of them. Which is about what we need on this team. We're already 8 deep at least. There's not a lot of minutes to go around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdGCimlMzm8

Watch these highlights of Nikola Mirotic at the Nike Hoop Summit, especially the pass at 1:49, the shot fake/drive at 2:24 and 3:08, the pass in transition at 4:22, and the shot fake drive at 4:48. He's got NBA size, passing ability, shooting and is good enough as an athlete.

Hope Mirotic stays in the draft. Looks like lottery level talent that may be available at pick 24 because of contract issues. OKC can afford to wait 2 or 3 years for him.

A Ibaka – Harden for Love proposal would require you to think about Love-Perkins on the court together but you'd also want to think about Love-Collison and Collison-Perkins and Love or Perkins and Latavious Williams or a draft pick or a free agent PF, traditional or face-up shooter or scorer and some of those could be good.

Is Ibaka going to get significantly better than he is right now? Is Harden? Both probably get better but I am not 100% sure it will be a lot better. Same question and uncertainty with Love. Difficult proposal. But since it is unlikely and in other people's hands I won't sweat it.

They have no 2nd round picks this year, at this time. Traded it anyway to get the rights to Latavious Williams from Miami.

Tramel points out the perceived side effects / problems of the rescinded trade, and thats good, but there may have been other solutions. Looking ahead did they really need to land Thabo and Maynor specifically? There would have been other options. With Chandler on board, there would have been no cap room to sign Nick Collison to the kind of contract he signed but you still could have signed him to a conventional contract. There might not have been the Mullens pick or even Aldrich and instead there could have been other guys, young guys at PG, wing or forward or a trade for a vet. And maybe White would have stayed. Maybe Livingston would have stayed. Maybe Dowdell or somebody else would have been called up. The what ifs can go on. Nobody knows what the Thunder could have done in 10-11 or beyond with Chandler. A still not 100% Chandler in 08-09 or 09-10 wouldn't have really held the the Thunder back in any historically meaningful way. It is possible that the thunder with Chandler and all other changes could have gotten further this season than the team they actually had and maybe they could hypothetically go further in the future. We can only guess. Chandler is looking good right now. Perhaps the difference maker for Dallas for a title and before that with Dallas vs Thunder.

@ Jax Raging Bile Duct
I do like Isaiah Thomas a lot too. I'm always a fan of the little guy, being one, but I wasn't looking at Jenkins to fill the third point guard bench slot as much as I was for his efficient scoring ability.

Other than that he put up the same numbers with 5 less shots a game, has a larger wingspan, is built much more solid physically, is markedly stronger, dominated the ball less, doesn't turn the ball over as much, and is a better shooter and overall player? Nothing I guess.

I'd rather go small with Isaiah Thomas than Jenkins. His draft combine measurements look really poor. When Honeycut and Singleton have better sprint times and better lane agility scores, at 6'6'' and 6'8'', it isn't a good sign. Thomas may be short, but his agility and sprint are where they should be for a guy JJ Barea size. And at least the kid is a natural PG.

But if Jenkins is drafted by some team, I hope to hear their PA announcer say his name like the now infamous LEEROOOOY JENKIIIIIIIIIIIIINS!

Do we have any 2nd round picks this year?

Boston is unlikely to trade Rondo for anyone while the other 3 big names need him and Westbrook is unlikely to be offered.

Cheeks might be a good pick for Toronto. Might generate more goodwill from the players and fans. Still not looking at anything beyond making the first round until they get better players and move some of their weak ones.

Nazr could be signed 'n traded alone after the new CBA. Simultaneous trades could possibly make it more interesting than that alone with the right creativity.

Some team in the 16-21 range might be willing to take #24 and something else for their pick and maybe something else. Mullens would seem to be the most likely something else going out though Maynor or Thabo or Robinson could be possibilities if an agreeable something else coming back could be found.

Minnesota would seem likely to try some sort of trade. I doubt Ibaka - Harden for Love would get put on the table. I don't have a quick yeah or nay on it. It is a difficult choice to me.

Jerkins would a decent pick if they can't get a forward they like.

I kinda think Parsons is better than mid-second round but I'd rather buy a second rounder or very late 1st rounder for him than use #24 on him but that is still an option if they like him. He seems a safer pick than Bertans but that is just based on playing well at a top NCAA program vs. the uncertainty of skinny european tweener forwards based on the past performance of them.

@Jimbo Slice
Jimmer's not going to make it either.

Eric Maynor showed he had NBA-level quickness, and change of speed ability, and was a pure point in college. Jenkins is an undersized shooting guard with absolutely no suddenness to his game, trying to become a point guard.

Is there really much difference between Jenkins and, say, Andrew Goudelock?

@ sammasaaron
and i also agree with this sentiment about thabo. He would definitely be our most useful trade bait that we wouldn't be hurt to let go (in my scenario if jenkins pans out how i think he will).

@ DXL
he's a small school scoring king that is second among guards in the draft to jimmer fredette in points per spot up attempt, first in points per iso attempt, shooting 52% from the field and 42% from three. Also leads all guards in percentage converted of contested shots, and had the highest bench press. He's not your typical small school scoring king.

... not to mention. Eric Maynor was a "small school scoring king" too.

DXL :@hectorzzz
Perhaps the Thunder could take on some extra millions in cap space? Trade Nate Robinson’s 4 million expiring to Philadelphia for Andres Nocioni’s 6.65 million expiring and swap first round picks (Philly’s 16th pick for OKC’s 24th pick).

Swap for Nocioni and draft Motiejunas. I'm down.

@Keith

I love me some Love, but I am not interested in trading Harden for anyone right about now. hes a perfect fit. I might Trade Obaka and Thabo for Love, but Harden is almost off limits in my estimation. Ill justify later, at work, on teh floor

I hate Charles Jenkins. He's a classic small school scoring king. There's tons of guys like this every year and the vast majority don't make it. Too small and slow to defend anybody in the NBA. Not quick enough to get their own shot or play point guard. Not good enough a shooter to become a 3-point specialist.

@Nenad4Life
I forgot to preface this by saying that I think Thabo could play the 3.

I like Charlie Jenkins, but I don't understand why Battier is considered more valuable than Thabo. Thabo has room to improve, while Battier is only going to get worse.

@Jimbo Slice
Took a look at that Jenkins Boy. lol

A Randy Foye/Mayo type of player to come off the bench wouldne be bad idea.

@ Jimbo Slice
I support Charles Jenkins and Jimbo Slice's logic. Not that I necessarily don't want Thabo on the team, I just think of the expendable players on the roster he has the most trade value and doesn't really fit the rotation anymore.

@bouzi4real
glass jaw***

@Jimbo Slice
I think Perk would murder Chandler in a fight. Chandler looks like he has a glass.

@ anonymous
He just said that cuz he couldn't punch Kendrick Perkins during the series lol

I dont get Tyson Chandler's logic. If it was really about salary, why would have OKC made the trade in the first place?

I'm spamming this place with Charles Jenkins comments until people start giving the dude a solid look. Drafting him would allow us to bring in a Shane Battier and upgrade both our bench and starting lineup (via the insertion of Harden), as well as making Thabo an expendable trade piece possibly for a solid draft spot in next year's big man bonanza of a draft.

@DXL
the expiring swap seems lore like a presti move ...

@hectorzzz
Of the white guys in the draft I like Parsons better than Singler. More lateral mobility, better athlete, better rebounder, passer and 3-point shooter.

Ideally I'd like the Thunder to trade up into the sweet spot of the draft, from picks 15 to 20. There should be some very solid players there, including Chris Singleton, Tobias Harris, and Donatas Motiejunas.

Would a team take Byron Mullens and move down a few slots in the first round?

Perhaps the Thunder could take on some extra millions in cap space? Trade Nate Robinson's 4 million expiring to Philadelphia for Andres Nocioni's 6.65 million expiring and swap first round picks (Philly's 16th pick for OKC's 24th pick).

I kind of hope Cheeks gets the Raptors job. Then we've GOTTA get a new assistant coach and hopefully can land a great one. Budinholzer and the dude from the Rockets are still on the market as far as I know.

But definitely no on the Rondo trade. That doesn't even make any sense. And definitely no on any trade involving Harden.

Losing Mo Cheeks would hurt. I think it's safe to assume that Russ' development has been helped by having Cheeks around.

@ dragonbug
*full, not fully :P sue me i just woke up

@ Keith
not no but HELL no lol. presti would have to be hit in the head by a baseball to do that trade. Love is good mind you but to trade ibaka and harden or just one of the other is insane. harden is looking better and better each game and hasnt even hit his potential. Ibaka is the same, lead shot blocker, and working on a 15 foot jumper also not up to his fully potential.

@JelloPuddinPup
We can't trade Nazr. He is an unrestricted free agent.