Nice deal for OKC. Presti is doing a helluva job there. I don't understand this from NOLA's perspective though. It's as if they're blowing up a contending team?
The Hornets now have no legitimate defender in the post ... they may squeak into the playoffs based on David West and Chris Paul's ability, but they are now a perennial one-and-done team until and unless they can get a legit center.
I like Chandlers defense, but I'm not sure how much of a difference maker he'll be on the other end of the court without Paul. He also seems a bit disinterested to me when things aren't going his way. I've seen him tossed twice from games at the RG in the last two years, I wonder how good of a citizen he'll be on a young Thunder team. Obviously a great move for OKC, give up nothing for the big they need, I just wonder how much of Chnadlers big contract is attributed to having played with CP3.
This effectively takes OKC out of the Ben Gordon sweepstakes too. But they will have money in 2010 still to sign their free agent now, instead of 2009 and 2010. It'll be interesting to see what the Thunder can do. The Ben Gordon scenario was based on that they could overpay a guy to come play for them. Now, they will have to stack up against half the league having capspace competing for guys. Of course if they land Blake Griffin, what they do in 2010 free agency won't matter all too much.
Nice move for the Thunder. If I'm Chris Paul, however, I start making noise about wanting to get the hell out of the Big Easy.
Ford just said that Gordon would sign for the 7-8M OKC's going to have. I don't pretend to know the Bulls' situation too well... would Gordon go somewhere else for the same money just to say "screw you" to CHI?
They're still going to have around 8 million in cap room to spend this summer ... that's more than enough to get Gordon (and don't give me any shit about him demanding 10+ million a year; no one is going to pay that much for an undersized shooting guard in this economic climate).
Agreed, wow, I cant believe this trade went down. Is the NO owner hurting that much? NO wasnt doing as good this year but all you need is health and a streak in the playoffs. This team was far from rebuild mode. Whatever, Lakers play NO later this week!
Chad Ford's wrong. They're going to have around $54 million in salary going into free agency when you factor in their draft picks. The cap will be at $59 million at most (it was at $58.68 this year I believe)...and I even have my doubts about it being at $59 million. So basically the Thunder can offer Ben Gordon the MLE (because the MLE will be more than the amount they have in capspace). The Bulls can easily outdue that, because they have the 10.5% raises. Thunder can only give 8% raises. If Gordon does a screw you deal, I can guarantee you it will be to play with the Knicks. It'll be a 3 year MLE deal. Gordon will be showcased in D'Antoni's offense, probably average 25 PPG. Then they will use Gordon and Duhon to pitch to 2010 free agents (here is your perfect third option in Gordon, and here's a point guard who will get you the ball), and then after the Knicks obtain his bird rights, they will reward him with a big contract. (which will of course be post 2010).
I always figured the Blazers, Jazz and Hornets were the teams of the future out West. But it's now looking like Oklahoma City and Portland. I bet the league is just drooling over all those great TV ratings.
