Rob Pelinka Discussion: President Of BBall Ops + GM

What makes you think that Mark put a stop to it? Be specific. I'm curious as to where this idea is coming from.

Because Mark himself said this.

“I’m not trying to save a dollar,” Walter said. “I’d rather say we have a great team and maybe spend a little too much.”

 

Slick then explain to all of us why for ALL intents and purposes LeBron AFTER signing the 1 year at his salary deal that HE wanted ... he and Klutch made all the passive aggressive comments about needing to play where he could compete for a championship and the complete impression he's unhappy with SOMETHING. Of course I do not expect a logical answer from you as to WHY he is doing that now.

 

What did he say that is soo passive aggressive? " I aint got much time left, I don't have the time, to be f***ing around, and I want to compete for a Championship, before I hang em up".


Kobe would have said that s*** out loud, point blank. However LeBron isn't Kobe, they have different personalities.

And EVERYBODY didn't take that Rich Paul statement, in the same way as you, and some others around here did anyway. It's not just me.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/...ement-mean-lebron-gets-traded-dont-be-so-sure

 

The comments from LeBron’ side could be towards the FO and asking them to go all in this year. If I’m Lebron I’m thinking this is the best chance I have to win - this season.

 

Reading about what they're doing in Oklahoma, I think of Pelinka.
I have great respect for him because of his personal history with Kobe.

Presti did a masterpiece with the Thunder, no doubt.
He's positioned himself to re-sign SGA, Williams, and Chet without even risking being above the 2nd apron.
He's loaded himself with assets that will allow him flexibility: the contracts given to Hartenstein and Dort are brilliant in terms of terms, amounts, and options.

Let's just say that categories exist even among GMs...

 

How much of Presti’s process is luck and how much is skill?

SGA broke out into an mvp caliber player, I’m not sure if that was knowable with foresight - everything is easy in hindsight.

Who knows maybe the Chet and Williams contracts will be terrible in hindsight. I do know having 3 maxes eventually means moving all your players earning MLE and above. They’re in a unique position that they can continue to draft new players for a while, but I’m not so sure that any set of scouts - even the best ones - can continuously keep unearthing gems every year.

I think ultimately this CBA ends up breaking up OKC in 2-3 years.

 

Yeah I don't necessarily believe he wants out. Sure he might feel some type of way about not getting a contract and how Luka is the main guy, but I can't see a team making a trade with us having that much better of a chance at winning it all. Buyout is a different story but why would we ever do that.

He is right to want the front office to go all in. There is a world we can trade Knecht & a 1st and get good players back all while maintaining financial flexibility. Saving both money and capital though probably won't get us there, which sucks since we have Luka and Lebron with guys like Reaves and Ayton. With some tweaking you could absolutely make a push for it all.

 

Um, if I understand correctly, Chet's contract kicks in from 2026-27 at 25% of the cap and SGA's is the following year at about 35% of the cap.
So in 2027-28, they should have $105 million between them, with $70 million of cap space.
Clearly, J-Dub's extension won't even get them to the first apron.

Add to this that Hartenstein's final year is a TO at $28.5 million (very tradable), and 2026-27 is the last year of Dort's TO contract at $18 million.

Caruso's contract is also excellent, in this regard.
Not to mention Aaron Wiggins: an excellent contract at $45 million decreasing until 2028-29, the year in which OKC obviously has a TO.

In the meantime, they've protected themselves with Jaylin Williams' excellent extension, which makes Hartenstein very tradeable.
And they may never have needed to sign at the minimum, given that Cason Wallace is still available, and now they can also count on Topic.

Oh, not to mention the fact that between now and 2031, they have 26 draft picks. 26.

 

I’m old enough to remember Kobe seriously entertaining going to the Bulls and Clippers.

Fun times.

Kobe spoke his mind. Often. lol

I’m still not moved by these LeBron stories. I agree. He knows the clock is ticking and he’s got Luka Doncic. Of course he wants to try to win now.

I don’t get why anyone wouldn’t want to win now. Best shot that him and the franchise may have in a while. There’s no unbeatable team out there with the parity of the league. We got to number three with the old man, a rookie coach, and an out of shape Luka. I do think we can compete again next season.

I expect a move to be made, LeBron to suit up for us this fall, and this to blow over.

 

That said, I’ll just say that credible people feel like negotiations between the front office and several players have left something to be desired. (I think that’s as PC as I can put it without drawing the wrath of the Front Office Defense Team lol)