June 25, 2019 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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sports OKC Thunder: Why free agency could be more of a slow burn in Oklhoma City By Jenni Carlson with so many big names For the first time in a long is of the league that are free via trade. throughout the summer." The Oklahoman, Okla- -- KD. Kawhi. Klay. Kyrie. time, the Thunder isn't enter- agents, but it's a large per- Just don't expect it to come As reasonable as that homa City Kemba. -- the early ac- ing free agency wondering if centage. We're returning our right away, Thunder fans. sounds, it will be hard for tion will be even faster and abig-time player could move core players. Presti sure seemed to indi- ‘Thunder fans to watch the Buckle up, basketball fans. fiercer. There will be teams elsewhere. Last summer, "T feel like that group of cate as much last week. free-agent frenzy that's NBA free agency begins in scrambling for superstars, Paul George and Jerami guys has a chance to be really "This," he said of draft Jess than a week, and it prom- then lots of ripples once those Grant were free agents. Two good." night, "is really the beginning ‘Sure to start next weekend. ises to be a crazy ride. rocks drop into place. summers ago, Russell West- ‘And yet, everyone knows of the offseason." There's going to be a flurry The league's website lists Just don't expect the Thun- brook had an extension that this group has been the core He mentioned draft night a of activity around the league. 226 players who are free der to be part of the early needed signing. Three sum- for some rotten stuff, namely year ago. At that point, no oneBut in OKC? There's likely to agents of one kind or an- flurry. mers ago, well, you probably back-to-back first-round had linked Noel to Oklahoma bea whole lot of nothing. other. A few of them have Oklahoma City is unlike don't need me to remind you playoff exits. It needs better City, but before the Fourth Maybe welll be surprised. announced retirements, Dirk almost every other team in what happened that Fourth shooting. More consistency. of July, he had agreed to sign Two years ago, no one saw Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade the association -- no core of July. Deeper threats. with the Thunder. The trade most notable among them. A players are free agents. Of Now, the Thunder goes ‘The Thunder didn't get bringing Dennis Schroder to the Thunder being involved few others are already off the the five Thunders who are -- into free agency knowing its immediate help in that regard OKC was even further in the with the Paul George Sweep- market, having picked up a Nerlens Noel, Markieff Mor- mainstays are staying. during the draft. Darius Ba- future. It would be a month stakes, but the quiet of late player option or having had ris, Patrick Patterson (he's "We have a tremendous zley may well become a heck after the draft before the June was shattered by that their team pick up an option already picked up his player opportunity in front of us as a of a player, but it sure doesn't Thunder and Hawks would news. But with the Thunder on them. option to remain a Thunder), team because of the continu- sound like knock-down, dead- strike that deal. reportedly looking to lower That still leaves a bunch of Raymond Felton and Jawun ity that we do have," Thunder eye shooting will be his forte. Not everything happens their luxury tax bill, a block- free agents out there. Evans -- none were regular general manager Sam Presti So, in addition to internal right away. The sheer volume alone starters this past season. Only said the other night after the improvement, the Thunder "Tlook at the offseason buster deal seems unlikely would make for madness Noel and Morris were even draft. "When you look across will need to go find some help as alonger period of time," this time around. once the free-agency period rotational reserves by the end the league right now, I don't this summer. It could come Presti said. "We're going to Buckle up? opens at 5 p.m. Sunday. But of the year. know what the percentage via free agency. It could come try to balance out the team Sure. Paul George’s importance to Thunder on display at NBA Awards By Erik Horne are the latest reminder of the biggest question for the might look a lot different George is the best Thunder Stokes Teammate ofthe Year The Oklahoman, Okla- how important George has Thunder, George’s health when George comes back, player by amile at arguably award has recognized the homa City become to the franchise. trumps who OKC can get on so there’s no telling how the league’s most valuable player deemed the best team- The definition of “Most minimum contracts in free much load he'll have to carry. ‘weapon, not to mention he’s -Whether he wins or not, Valuable Player” varies from agency, who Thunder general Teams can do worse than one of the best players in the mate based on selfless play, Monday is Paul George’s person to person. If you go manager Sam Presti can snag having Russell Westbrook to league at contesting those on- and -off-court leadership night. Whether he’s healthy strictly by a player’s impact in atrade, or how soon first- fall back on for offense, but deadly shots or erasing them as amentor and role model or not, the Thunder’s upcom- when on or off the court, the round pick Darius Bazley, 19, Westbrook is coming off his completely before they hap- to other NBA players, and ing season belongs to George, advanced metric ofnet rat- can contribute. own offseason arthroscopic pen. It’s part of why George commitment and dedication too. ing -- point differential per Presti said Thursday that knee surgery and isn’t an ef- was NBA All-Defensive First to team. The NBA Awards are 100 possessions -- points to George is going to make a full ficient perimeter shot maker Team and has a better chance The NBA Sportsmanship Monday (8 p.m., TNT) and George being the most valu- recovery from surgeries on like George. to take home the top honor on the Thunder forward has an able of the three nominees for the rotator cuff in his right ‘The 3-point shot has defense than the MVP award. Award, also known as the Joe opportunity to be just the ‘MVP. The Thunder experi- shoulder and a labrum tear in become even more crucial When you talk about value, Dumars Trophy, was first second player in NBA history enced a swing of 17.1 points his left shoulder. Whenever to victory, particularly being George embodies it for OKC awarded in 1996. to win Most Valuable Player per 100 possessions with George returns, how long will able to shoot from deep off on both ends. One ofthe indelible images and Defensive Player of the George off the floor, much it take his rhythm to return? the dribble. George was one ‘Adams up for awards Year in the same season. larger than Houston’s with- George was healthy to start ofthe best pull-up 3-point George isn’t the only Thun- of Adams’ season was in De- Milwaukee’s Giannis Ante- out James Harden (4.0) or last season and shot just 41.8 shooters in the league last der player up for awards on cember against the Nuggets. tokounmpo is the favorite Milwaukee without Antetok- percent from the field (35.5 season, hitting 37.2 percent Monday. Adams had a chance to draw for MVP, and Utah’s Rudy ounmpo (10.1). It speaks to from 3) in his first 21 games (119-of-320), 14th among 69 Steven Adams is one of 12 a foul on Denver’s Mason Gobert is likely to win De- the depth of George's talent through October and Novem- players with a minimum of candidates for the Twyman- Plumlee, but caught the Nug- fensive Player ofthe Year, and how reliant OKC became ber. He then found rhythm 100 attempts. Dennis Schro- Stokes Teammate of the Year gets center as Plumlee was but George’s value across the onit. and was arguably the hottest der and Westbrook shot 28.7 Award and is one of six play- league and to the Thunder It’s why how George scorer in the league for 2.1/2 percent and 26.4 percent, ers up for the NBA Sports- about to have a potentially has been made clear. recovers from two offseason months. respectively, on such shots manship Award. scary fall on his head and Monday’s NBA Awards shoulder surgeries remains The Thunder's roster last season. Since 2013, the Twyman- neck. Delivered to your inbox. 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