Thunder Want Beal; Harden Available

[Black]

Apparently the Thunder are trying to move all the way up to get Beal, meaning Harden is definitely available.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8104507/florida-gator-bradley-beal-oklahoma-city-thunder-talked-moving-up


Beal told ESPN.com Wednesday that Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti told him during an interview in Chicago that he was interested in trying to move up to draft him. The Thunder's first-round pick isn't until No. 28.


To get Beal, the Thunder would undoubtedly have to move James Harden, the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year.


Charlotte also just acquired a shooting guard in Ben Gordon in a deal with Detroit, which could mean they may not need to make a move for another veteran wing.

Do you consider Henderson and #2 for Harden and #28? Or stay put, and let Washington potentially land Harden to pair with Wall?

This is going to be very interesting.

[superb1]

I posted it in another thread but IDK, maybe but not without a guarantee that he resign. If not we lose him, lost Hendo and we are left with BG.

[Potato]

no he wouldn't resign

[Black]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't we be able to match any offer he receives if we trade for him?

[Icky Thump]

It seems with all these teams hot over Beal that we should draft Beal. Then we will hold the goods and people have to deal with us. If no one meets what we want then we just have the guy that seems to be the hottest outside of Davis. We can move Henderson if need be IMO.

[Scrapper1]

It seems with all these teams hot over Beal that we should draft Beal. Then we will hold the goods and people have to deal with us. If no one meets what we want then we just have the guy that seems to be the hottest outside of Davis. We can move Henderson if need be IMO.

I agree. I mentioned this on here the other day. Beal is a hot commodity... the Cats should draft him and watch that phone blow UP during the entire draft. Honestly, anyone on that Bobcats roster (except Biyombo) can go if the deals are right.

[SJackson1]

It seems with all these teams hot over Beal that we should draft Beal. Then we will hold the goods and people have to deal with us. If no one meets what we want then we just have the guy that seems to be the hottest outside of Davis. We can move Henderson if need be IMO.

i kind of agree, if most other teams think Beal is the main man behind Davis then we should draft him

[Chevalier au Lion]

Harden will not renew his contract here. It´s stupid give our pick #2 for enjoy Harden two years here.

[BlockParty]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't we be able to match any offer he receives if we trade for him?

Correct for this offseason, but next offseason he could walk away if he wanted, it would/could be a one year rental

[Bosnian-Bobcats-Fan]

Only wait i'd trade for Harden is if he signs a long term deal before the trade is done

[kitch0202]

I think it's worth pointing out that Cho will have had conversations with a number of teams who are interested in Beal, as well as the other top players in the draft. I'm sure nobody is suggesting we draft Beal and then workout a trade. Rather we would, potentially, draft him in the knowledge that there are existing offers on the table. Is this scenario Cho would then get in touch with the preferred trading partner and unquestionably try to eek out a little more.

[gamecocksmitty4]

Just Cho working his magic. Telling OKC (former employer/current friends) to state publicly that they want Beal in order to up the value for #2. Not like it hurts OKC in any way. Call me crazy but it's possible.

[westbrook08]

I don't even know what to think right now.Honestly,if we draft robinson this year and sign green or batum in free agency or land shabazz muhammed in next years draft,i could see harden wanting to come sign with us as a free agent by that point anyway,so i'm not sure it's worth the risk.Plus, like half of our team would be shooting guards.I honestly don't think it will improve us dramatically enough in the next year or 2 unless they offer something crazy like harden and ibake for #2 and Thomas,In which case,i would be running down the street naked beating my pecker tomorrow night! lol.

[Icky Thump]

I think it's worth pointing out that Cho will have had conversations with a number of teams who are interested in Beal, as well as the other top players in the draft. I'm sure nobody is suggesting we draft Beal and then workout a trade. Rather we would, potentially, draft him in the knowledge that there are existing offers on the table. Is this scenario Cho would then get in touch with the preferred trading partner and unquestionably try to eek out a little more.



Oh absolutely, take Beal with knowledge of deals on the table but if our demands aren't met then I'd be ok with keeping a guy it seems everyone is very interested in. Henderson isn't so great that he couldn't be moved for another asset of some sort IMO.

As far as any deal for Harden it definitely would have to have an agreement to him signing with us before I'd do that particular trade.

[kitch0202]

Oh absolutely, take Beal with knowledge of deals on the table but if our demands aren't met then I'd be ok with keeping a guy it seems everyone is very interested in. Henderson isn't so great that he couldn't be moved for another asset of some sort IMO.

With that point you have completed the circle. Cho can really play hard ball because the worst case scenario, and as you say Icky it's not a bad one at all, is we end up with arguably the 2nd best player in the draft (certainly consensus top 5).

As a side point, has anyone seen enough of him to have a considered opinion on whether he can play the Point a bit as well? If he can he'd join, maybe even jump, Robinson as BPA. Well, in my opinion at least.

Cheers,

Kitch.

[superb1]

i'll draft him, worst case scenario, we have to keep him. wow, not a bad deal. who knows hendo might be a trade peice now, we got BG as a backup guard.

[westbrook08]

From a personnel standpoint i agree with the business move,but we're pretty good @ 2 guard for now,i'd much rather see what we have and hope for shabazz muhammed next year,and we badly need rebounding,toughness down low,and a guy who can help our guards on the block from a pick and roll standpoint.Robinson is tailor made for what we need right now,and i don't wanna play chicken and get stuck with 5 shooting guards on the roster,and no true starting 3 or 4.Not worth it!

[TheBeagle]

Yeah. I'm all for drafting Beal at this point. From what I've seen of his highlights and measurements, I'm sold. Plus, his rising value makes him all the more attractive. Assets. Assets. Assets. And Beal seems to be the highest of those either indiviudally or in the acquiring of more.

[rsxnova]

From a personnel standpoint i agree with the business move,but we're pretty good @ 2 guard for now,i'd much rather see what we have and hope for shabazz muhammed next year,and we badly need rebounding,toughness down low,and a guy who can help our guards on the block from a pick and roll standpoint.Robinson is tailor made for what we need right now,and i don't wanna play chicken and get stuck with 5 shooting guards on the roster,and no true starting 3 or 4.Not worth it!

You can't draft around hope for next year(cough*anthony davis*cough)

[westbrook08]

I'm just saying that what robinson brings to the table for this team right now to me,far outweighs what beal would.I would much rather get a young stud 4 like him and see what we have with henderson or be open to the possibility of taking muhammed next year,if the opportunity presents itself,as opposed to taking a guy that i feel is over hyped and duplicates a position that i think is our strongest right now.China grove? Are you military? Just wondering.

[murphman]

It took long enough but if these reports are true of all these GM's drooling over Beal, a true 2nd best player has emerged in this draft. I think we need to seriously consider keeping him unless another team makes us an offer we absolutely can not refuse.

[westbrook08]

I think alot of teams have the same need.And that always causes people to reach.I mean, i wouldn't even be this crazy about eric gordon.And i mean player that gordon is now! And beal's supposed to be a poor man's version of him.He doesn't play above the rim except rarely,he's not a great isolation player,his handles aren't particularly great yet.He's basically a spot up shooter who rebounds well and is good in transition @ this point.Can that help a team? Sure! Has he shown enough flashes of greatness for people to be acting like he's the second coming of the messiah? Hell no!

[spectre]

Cho has his database and he has autonomy. Right now I'll trust Cho and will back whoever he chooses.

[westbrook08]

Roll wif cho fa sho! lol.

[dnbman]

Cho can really play hard ball

On a somewhat related note, his interview was great today.
Can you tell us about the Cleveland pick.
"We can't comment on that."
Can you tell us about the use of amnesty?
"We can't comment on that."

The more I think about the Bobcat's moves, the more I think we know what we're doing AND Bonnell is not the terrible beat reporter people make him out to be.

Cho said he was in discussion with Detroit for the last few weeks about that pick. I think they're just very tight-lipped about their moves, which is great. Once we actually do some nice talent, the last thing we need is for business to get spewed and then not panning out, making the locker room tense.

[westbrook08]

I still think bonnell doesn't take his job seriously and mails it in alot of the time.But the draft chat with him and sorensen was hilarious.They asked bonnell about mkg and he said "i've seen mkg's jumpshot and i've seen tom's.I like tom's better!" and then sorensen asked him about beal @ 2 and said he wasn't a fan of bradly beal.And sorensen said "what about jessica beal?" and bonnell said "oh' yeah, i would definitely get behind that @ the 2!" lol. It's nice to see that rick's actually a human being and not a soulless robot for once!

[Proudiddy]

I still think bonnell doesn't take his job seriously and mails it in alot of the time.But the draft chat with him and sorensen was hilarious.They asked bonnell about mkg and he said "i've seen mkg's jumpshot and i've seen tom's.I like tom's better!" and then sorensen asked him about beal @ 2 and said he wasn't a fan of bradly beal.And sorensen said "what about jessica beal?" and bonnell said "oh' yeah, i would definitely get behind that @ the 2!" lol. It's nice to see that rick's actually a human being and not a soulless robot for once!
LOL we could all get behind that. One at a time of course.

I don't know, I've just kind of soured on the idea of Harden altogether.

I mentioned somewhere else that part of what has made Harden look so good was how stacked OKC is... Especially when he's on the floor with either KD or Westbrook, or both.

He wouldn't do here what he did there. TBH, I'd rather have Mayo over Harden if we traded for another 2. That being said, if we stay put, I'm fine with TRob, Barnes, or Beal.

[cltblkhscoach]

Well Cho knows Harden better than all of us. Thing you have to consider of course is what kind of alpha dog is he? Could he do even more in the #1 role? I think he's a little better than Stephen Jackson was for us, but he's not a "Franchise" guy as Cho would put it. I think he'd rank as a Core guy though.

[Potato]

If anything this tells me we should draft Beal if the Thunder want to give up the 6th man of the year to get him

[WarioVsMooChicken]

Remember. Diaw was once a 6th man of the year

Not saying Harden won't be great, but you have to credit atleast some of his production to being part of an amazing situation.

Still all for trading for the 4th and 24th , nabbing Robinson and some hit or miss prospect

[Black]

Remember. Diaw was once a 6th man of the year

Not saying Harden won't be great, but you have to credit atleast some of his production to being part of an amazing situation.

Still all for trading for the 4th and 24th , nabbing Robinson and some hit or miss prospect

Diaw never won 6th Man of the Year.

[WarioVsMooChicken]

My bad. Got "most improved" mixed up with it.

WELL, replace his name with "Mike Miller" then

[skratch]

smh what is so good about Beal, if so many teams want him we should just draft him and ship hendo out. Idk about harden, hes a 6th man for a reason, some guys are better off the bench production wise then when they are starting, Harden could start for us and be awful just because hes not that type of player

[Potato]

smh what is so good about Beal, if so many teams want him we should just draft him and ship hendo out. Idk about harden, hes a 6th man for a reason, some guys are better off the bench production wise then when they are starting, Harden could start for us and be awful just because hes not that type of player

All I know is Sam Presti is one of the best drafters in the NBA and he wants to give up a proven 17 ppg guy for him.

[Black]

All I know is Sam Presti is one of the best drafters in the NBA and he wants to give up a proven 17 ppg guy for him.

Just to play devil's advocate, this is a financial move as much as anything. They simply can't keep Harden long term, so he's betting Beal will provide similar numbers, but will be on a rookie deal for the next four or five years.

[BlockParty]

All I know is Sam Presti is one of the best drafters in the NBA and he wants to give up a proven 17 ppg guy for him.


Just to play devil's advocate, this is a financial move as much as anything. They simply can't keep Harden long term, so he's betting Beal will provide similar numbers, but will be on a rookie deal for the next four or five years.

Black has it right here, Presti is great at talent evaluation and his team is championship caliber because of it. However, with Harden's inevitable salary demands and the NBA Cap ceiling, Harden has to exit stage left and Presti needs to find the best replacement possible. Harden is a Shooting Guard that can also run point, the best at that position in this draft is obviously Beal, but that by itself doesn't make Beal the BPA for the Bobcats. We have holes everywhere.

Harden > Beal
Beal on the rookie wage scale for 4 years >(better bang for the buck) Harden under his new high $$$ contract

[WAM9]

Just to play devil's advocate, this is a financial move as much as anything. They simply can't keep Harden long term, so he's betting Beal will provide similar numbers, but will be on a rookie deal for the next four or five years.

Black is right on about this. If the salary cap didn't come into play, they wouldn't be looking to move Harden.

[murphman]

Black is right on about this. If the salary cap didn't come into play, they wouldn't be looking to move Harden.

True but San Antonio & Chicago are very interested in Beal also. Chicago seems to have their all-star, Deng, on the block just to move up and get him. When the best teams drafting almost 30 spots behind us are trying to find a way to get him, even if it means a great sacrifice, it is very telling.

[WAM9]

I certainly think it is information worth paying attention to for sure.

I bet Cho is already all over it though.

[Mr. 1020]

Just because other teams want someone doesn't mean we should take them. The Bobcats have to take the player that they feel is best for them. The draft is a crap shoot every year. No really knows who is gonna be good.

[westbrook08]

Chicago wants to trade deng to get rid of his contract.They're about to have to resign omar asik and taj gibson, plus they've needed a 2 guard forever.The veteran teams with big contracts to send our way wanting to get a young guy on a rookie contract doesn't surprise me one bit.It doesn't mean that beal is a sure fire super star.It just means that he's good enough to not totally fuck a playoff team up while they dump a contract and get cap space to sign other players.We need to worry about what the makes the charlotte bobcats a better team and tune out all the hype and bullshit.Robinson fits our team perfectly.If we know for sure that we can get him @ 4 then trade down and get another pick.If not take 31 and something else and try to move back into the first round and get a player you want.Or just pick @ 2 and 31.This is a good draft and those are 2 good picks.I'd be fine staying where we are.The most important thing is getting the right players,not simply making moves just to make moves.

[heelcat]

I couldn't see why we would trade the pick for Harden. If we want a good shooting guard that can play some pg, take Beal with the pick. He is cheaper and younger. To me it's a no brainer. I can't see us even considering this trade.

[spectre]

Chicago wants to trade deng to get rid of his contract.They're about to have to resign omar asik and taj gibson, plus they've needed a 2 guard forever.The veteran teams with big contracts to send our way wanting to get a young guy on a rookie contract doesn't surprise me one bit.It doesn't mean that beal is a sure fire super star.It just means that he's good enough to not totally fuck a playoff team up while they dump a contract and get cap space to sign other players.We need to worry about what the makes the charlotte bobcats a better team and tune out all the hype and bullshit.Robinson fits our team perfectly.If we know for sure that we can get him @ 4 then trade down and get another pick.If not take 31 and something else and try to move back into the first round and get a player you want.Or just pick @ 2 and 31.This is a good draft and those are 2 good picks.I'd be fine staying where we are.The most important thing is getting the right players,not simply making moves just to make moves.

That is a good point. Does Beal have the potential to be a cross between Flash & Gordon or is the above really what's spurring the interest?

[Potato]

If we get Harden I'm jizzing buckets. He walks in and averages 22 ppg, yes it's risky with the contract but if he thinks we're about to turn the corner and he's gonna be the centerpiece, there's an outstanding chance he'll stay.

[Plowright]

no, theres not. It would be worse that Brooklyn giving their 6th pick for GW who has now decided to opt out and become a free agent. Everyone is alling that a stupid trade now and slating the Nets for it. It would be even more stupid for us to do it

[SWedd523]

Only way I take the Harden for #2 trade is if he immediately signs an extension for no more than 10 or so per year

[Plowright]

Only way I take the Harden for #2 trade is if he immediately signs an extension for no more than 10 or so per year


same....which he wont and I dont blame him. He has tasted success and wont want to be part of some rebuilding process