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Can someone explain to me why a buy out is preferred to amnesty? Amnesty wouldn't count against the cap, although the Thunder would still pay him - whatever he resigns vs does count against the cap - half of what he resigns? Are we just saving it just in case.

Nate kind of walked into a rough deal when he came to the Thunder. He is capable of doing great things for teams not loaded to the gills with guards.

I wish him well. If he wants to leave in order to get to play more, which he is certainly capable of, I think it is a good thing. I hate to see someone leave, but he is getting the short end of the stick right now. The guy can play, and will do well. Someone mentioned treating him right, and I am all for that.

Royce, just FYI, the amount saved by the Thunder if they were able to set off part of Robinson's new contract with another team is not precisely 50%, it's 50% of the difference between his new contract and a minimum contract for a player with one year of NBA service. Under the rules of the previous CBA (and assuming they don't change in the new agreement), the calculation would have been as follows:

$4,500,000 - ((new salary with other team - $788.872) / 2)

with $788,872 being the assumed minimum salary of a player with one year of NBA service.

So in your example, if he signed with the Hawks for $3 million, OKC's cap hit would actually be $3.394 million after setting off $1.106 million.

Probably too much information, I know.....

This isn't all that surprising. Reggie Jackson is a younger 6"3 version of Nate. He's got hops, a decent shot and can pass well enough. Nate's a great character but he just doesn't really fit into the scheme of things with the Thunder. He's not old enough to be left rotting on the bench so this is one good thing the Thunder can do for him.

From most recent Woj article:

The Thunder didn’t discuss a contract buyout with Nate Robinson on Wednesday, but he desperately wants to get out of the final year of his deal, a league source said. He’s just not going to play much for the Thunder. Orlando could be a landing spot for Robinson, should he become a free agent. …

I love the idea of buying out Nate. It frees up a roster spot for Presti to go get a PF or C who can shoot. That's the one thing that's been missing from our team since Green and Krstic were traded.

Russel Westbrook is ranked as the no 5 fantasy player

Wheres the link the fantasy basket ball?

Hey we're talking players but hows about coaches? What do we need out of Scott this season to keep him on? I think he's got to show he can actually get this team to run offensive sets consistently. Otherwise this team is going to always underachieve. Sorry to say but it has to be said.

This is good move. Nate wants to play. He was a good dude about it and acted like a pro putting on a happy face but he doesn't see himself as the 10th man on the bench just yet in career. Buy him out, treat him right, keep our organization looking good around the league and specifically with the players in this league.

I think it's a smart move, because what it says is that Presti wants to add someone specific to the roster. Looking forward to that.

And another thing: Where does it say that Ivey's contract isn't guaranteed for this season? I've not read that anywhere?

Does anyone know if we would be allowed to trade our amnesty exception? probable not, but man if that's possible that would be a really valuable chip.

why why why?? Some teams under the cap may need 1 year salary contract because:

1. This year free agency is not as good as next year

2. They need to have about $ 49M minimum salary

I think Presti is just being nice to Nate.

I'll be the first to say that I wish Nate had a spot on the roster, but understand that the roster is already set. He just came in at a bad time, where the team had no spot for him. Thanks for the good times, Nate!

The amnesty provision becomes an important chip for the Thunder because it never expires. Not every contract you sign in the future will turn out well, this gives Presti a chance to make a mistake.

If you use amnesty for a minor contract, then you lose that "do-over" possibility for the future. What if Kendrick Perkins, god forbid, blows out his other knee? You might like amnesty for his contract at that point.

I don't think he even dunked 1 time as a Thunderer.

Fifth point guard. 1. Russ 2. Maynor 3. Reggie 4. Royal (assuming he makes the team)

I still like the idea of using amnesty on Nate if it allowed us to front load an offer for Battier, but that might not have been realistic. In figuring how much cap space could be cleared, I hadn't allowed for the bump to KDs salary this year from the new "derrick Rose" rule. Ah well- nice if we could still pick up Shane, but not if we are having to pay significant $(4 mill+) 2 yrs from now.

Thanks for explaining this, Royce. I see the reasoning now. And I have complete faith and trust in Presti. Was kinda hoping that we could trade Nate and get something in return, but I can see why Presti would want to go this route.

Once Nate is gone, we are gonna have 2 free roster spots. Battier really might be a possibility. I'd be thrilled if one of those spots goes to Royal and another one goes to either Battier or McGrady.