Comments on: Thunder 99, Mavs 95

By: Heysloth

Heysloth — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:41:52 +0000

Yes thank you, and no they do not seem long, but I noticed that the last time I saw a national game live as well. Felt like we were always waiting for the game to start again.

By: MartzMimic

MartzMimic — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 07:23:58 +0000

Yeah, it did. I guess I was just hoping we could sign our core three – KD, Russ, Harden/Ibaka – then have Varejao on a Richard Jefferson-like contract. Of course, it would be best probably if Ibaka could develop into that type of player.

By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:39:30 +0000

Me too. I think we could bring it back late in the season and in the playoffs, when interest is really high and fans want to communicate during the games. Did the explanation make sense? -DM-

By: MartzMimic

MartzMimic — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:37:47 +0000

I appreciate you taking the time for that. I do miss the NewsOK live blogs.

By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 21:54:45 +0000

MM, yes, right now Varejao is currently cheaper than Nene. But Nene’s only got one more year on his deal. That lone remaining year extends only into the first year of Durant’s extension (and maybe Green’s potential extension). The Thunder can eat that no problem because the team is currently projected to be so far under next year’s cap.

But Varejao’s $8.4M for 2012-13 would be in the first year of Westbrook’s extension, and his $9.1M for 2013-14 would be in the first year of potential extensions of Ibaka, Harden and Maynor. That’s an impossible bill for the Thunder to handle, and it won’t happen. Keep in mind, the salaries for Durant, maybe Green, and Westbrook will be increasing as the years go on.

Now, any number of things could happen — most notably rule changes to rookie scale extensions and trades made by the Thunder — that would free up some space. But if the rules remain essentially the same, and the Thunder retains its core, there is simply no room in the budget for a $9 million player in 2013-14 not named Durant, Westbrook and a choice between Ibaka, Green and Harden. Unless Presti gets one of the soon-to-be-extension-eligible guys to agree to a descending deal, there isn’t enough flexibility for a player making Varejao money. So maybe contract friendly isn’t the right phrase. Varejao’s long term deal isn’t cap friendly to the Thunder. -DM-

By: Friday Bolts – 1.7.11 | Daily Thunder.com

Friday Bolts – 1.7.11 | Daily Thunder.com — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:08:17 +0000

[...] Darnell Mayberry with a statement I totally agree with: “Please, please, please, Thunder heads. Don’t start with the, ‘We should have gotten Brendan Haywood” routine. You know who you are. His moments, I repeat, moments, tonight might have made you go into a tizzy. The guy is making $42 million over five years! And that’s not counting the $10.5 million team option he has for 2015-16. I’d say that’s pretty good coin to average 3.9 points and 5.0 rebounds. My money is on Haywood never averaging seven points and seven rebounds in 65-plus games in a season for the life of his current contract.” [...]

By: MartzMimic

MartzMimic — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:05:01 +0000

How is Varejao’s contract not friendly? He’s making $7 mil this year, then $7.7, $8.4, $9.1 and $9.8 million. He’s certainly cheaper than Nene, and he was second team on the 2010 All-NBA defensive team.

I would much rather someone who could come in and play well at either power forward or center, and at less money than it will likely cost to re-sign Green.

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Tweets that mention Thunder 99, Mavs 95 | Thunder Rumblings -- Topsy.com — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:56:12 +0000

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By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:52:44 +0000

Yeah, David, I was speculating. I wouldn’t read anything into it.

As for Varejao, MM, I highly, highly, highly, highly, doubt the Thunder makes a play for him. His contract is not friendly. Maybe it is to a lot of teams for what he brings. But the Thunder has Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Green and Harden it’s got to worry about paying, all in the next three seasons. The team can’t afford adding $8 million-$10 million player on top of those contracts when they’re extended.

As far as your thought about the Thunder’s pace impacting the team’s defense, well, look at the Memphis game. -DM-

By: MartzMimic

MartzMimic — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:45:31 +0000

@David Skelton
I’m guessing Darnell is just speculating. Nene is making $11.4 million this season, with a player option next year at $11.6. When Melo does leave – pretty likely by the trade deadline – the Nuggets may go into rebuilding mode. They could either trade him also or he could decline his option and sign elsewhere.

Nene would be a good fit on this team. That said, I’m hoping Presti could work something out with Cleveland to bring Anderson Varejao here. He plays good interior defense, rebounding and is well aware of how to play with a superstar. Add to that, he’s on an excellent contract that goes through 2014-2015 that maxes out at $9.8 million.