When will Presti press the button on a major trade?
We've reached the dog days of the summer and the doldrums of the NBA offseason.
The Thunder mailbag, however, is still active. Let's get to this week's questions.
@OnwardHustle: Any thoughts on Jack White? Will we keep him heading into the regular season?
I don't have a good feel for the whole Jack White situation.
White was never more than a role player in his four years at Duke, and he's about to turn 26, so I don't see the upside. Or the minutes.
It's been reported that White signed a two-year contract with a team option in the second year. White is reportedly guaranteed $600,000 this season, so the Thunder's investment in the Aussie wing is minimal.
I could see the Thunder wanting to take a look at White during training camp, but I don't think he'll make the team. I'd guess he winds up on the G League OKC Blue.
@jjMydland: Is Poku a part of Presti’s long-range plan? Does he get resigned? Or does he get traded for a 5th-round pick? Or is he salary filler in a bigger trade?
Aleksej Pokusevski is not part of the long-range plan. If he makes a leap in Year 4, great. If not, no problem. The future of the Thunder franchise does not rest on Pokusevski's slender frame.
Now, could the Thunder re-sign him?
This is the last year of his rookie deal, and I doubt he has much trade value (I appreciated the fifth-round pick joke). I could see him getting flipped for a second-round pick at the trade deadline, but I wouldn't rule out both parties coming to terms on a cheap extension.
For as long as Poku has been in our lives, he's still just 21 and has only played in 140 career games. Yes, I'm telling you there's a chance.
@the_fley: What are some ways the Thunder can capitalize on fan interest in a young team’s potential while waiting for on-court success to sell seats? Looking at summer league’s growth and other “fan events” throughout the league, anything that would translate to OKC?
It shouldn't be a hard sell. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an All-NBA first-teamer, Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams are exciting youngsters on the rise and Chet Holmgren is as intriguing as any player in the league.
But, as you alluded to, winning is the best way to fill seats.
I also think the game-night atmosphere could use a refresh. It's a tad stale. Several teams do a great job during timeouts of showing players competing in trivia games, or drawing contests or other goofy competitions. Fans eat it up.
It's a small thing, but people like to see the personalities of their favorite players.
@phi_lson: What would you say is the biggest need for this team after you factor in Chet? It seemed as if he enjoyed playing “the roamer” when JWill played the 5. May not be the best spot for him forever but could the 4 be his rookie contract position like Evan Mobley?
Sure, at times, but I expect Holmgren to start at center on opening night next to Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey, Lu Dort and Jalen Williams.
But as we saw in summer league, Holmgren could slide to power forward when he's playing next to a center like Jaylin Williams.
@BrutusMax1mus: Which is more likely... Being involved in the Dame trade, or getting Pascal Siakam?
Being involved in a Damian Lillard trade is way more likely. I'm not talking about trading for Damian Lillard — there's zero chance of that — but the Thunder could be involved in a multiteam deal that requires some salary shuffling.
Trading for Siakam isn't happening. The Raptors star is entering the last year of his contract and will likely want to enter free agency.
@AidanLyster: Who gets traded when Presti presses the button and cashes in on all our assets?
I'm not sure that's ever going to happen.
Maybe a move or two on the margins if/when the team becomes a contender, but I wouldn't count on a major consolidation trade to land a star. OKC has enough assets to do something like that, but it might not have deep enough pockets.
SGA is already on a max contract. Big paydays are coming up for Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams and presumably Chet Holmgren. And then there's a chance either Cason Wallace or Ousmane Dieng hits.
The Thunder will keep some of its picks to draft cost-controlled young players while continuing to kick other picks as far into the future as possible.