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@ShamsCharania The Jazz are building a roster and asset pool that should allow them to sustain success for a long time.
Kessler will look great with Luka, but I love this deal for the Jazz
Are there flaws in a purely analytic view of basketball? Yes.
Are there flaws in only using the eye-test? Yes.
The point is to use these in combination to minimize the flaws of both. Thankfully, most of the accounts I see relating to the NBA Draft are able to account for both,
Simply put, this is a great base to build from. A core of Giddey, Swain, Buzelis, and Wilson may not win right away, but they all hold immense value and have a runway to grow. This isn't the middling Bulls of LaVine and Derozan. This team has direction.
A few teams that I really liked what they've with the direction of their teams so far this offseason:
1. Atlanta Hawks
2. Memphis Grizzlies
3. Chicago Bulls
No one got a steal in the draft, at least from where I had them ranked, but the direction is clear.
The shooting in general for Chicago is worrisome, but the size is insane. With the lottery reform, I also think they put themselves in a good spot to stay out of the bottom, while simultaneously developing homegrown talent with elite upside.
@MasCheekz@NateDuncanNBA 100% agree. Ajay Mitchell was not expected, but now that we've seen that style of guard in action next to Shai, I think that led toward OKC finding another similar guard in Stirtz rather than a pure size and playmaking PG
When you compare to the landscape of bigs in the NBA, this is an incredibly friendly deal for OKC.
Once OKC gets Shai, Ajay, McCain, Cason, etc. extensions in place, this deal will be very moveable. Mara and Sorber need to prove themselves before that, though.
I would expect Dort to be moved and a Cason extension to be announced soon.
Just in: Oklahoma City's Isaiah Hartenstein intends to sign a new three-year contract to return to the Thunder through 2028-29 that brings his total earnings with the franchise at five years and $134 million guaranteed, sources tell ESPN. A key signing in 2024 leading to the 2025 championship, Thunder lock in the defensive anchor.
@NateDuncanNBA It also feels like a possibility that this iHart extension isn't a long term solution, but rather a solution until Sorber and/or Mara prove themselves. At $25m/yr, iHart is an incredibly tradable contract for plus value
There is no chance they dump Thomas Sorber, imo. The most likely trigger to pull is Lu Dort.
Topic has had an incredibly unlucky start to his career, but at this point, his best chance of development is likely elsewhere. Kenrich might depend on his willingness to sign at the minimum.