2012-13 Record: 24-58

Season Highlight

The Oklahoma City Thunder shook things up this season by hiring new GM Nenjabin to run the squad and look to right the ship. After a rocky season, the Thunder fans are hoping have something to cheer for this next season with the arrival of new pieces to the squad. 

Season Lowlight

After a 24-win season, the Oklahoma City Thunder faithful weren’t happy at all with their team’s performance and they weren’t ok about some early season deals. Fortunately the trades made in the second half of the season were a bit better.   

Best Trade

The Detroit Pistons send Steve Nash, John Salmons and Anderson Varejao to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Oklahoma City Thunder send Pau Gasol, Kirk Hinrich and Jordan Hamilton to the Detroit Pistons. 

This trade was the best for this Thunder team, mainly because the team acquired the pieces for future deals that proved to improve the team even further. OKC desperately needed to get rid of Gasol’s major contract as it was weighing heavily on the salary cap, by doing so they acquired  Brazilian big man Anderson Varejão (pronunciation VA-RE-JOUN) along with Nash and Salmons. Varejão and Nash ultimatey turned into Andre Jordan and a 1st round pick and Salmons into 2 2nd round picks. All in all, this team could acquire younger pieces for further building this team, only time will tell if the picks will pay-off but  so far it looks good.   

Worst Trade

The Atlanta Hawks send Chuck Hayes to the Oklahoma City Thunder. 
The Oklahoma City Thunder send a 2nd-Rounder (OKC) to the Atlanta Hawks. 
The Oklahoma City Thunder use their trade exception over $ 5,486,250. 
The Atlanta Hawks receive 7 GM points. The Oklahoma City Thunder trade -7 GM points.

Can you believe that the Thunder gave this much up for Chuck Hayes? GM Houndy told us that he did the Boyd Dance when this was proposed to him. Talk about your win-win. OKC’s pick turned out to be pretty high and the irony was that this pick almost when back to the Thunder in a draft-day trade.

Other Notable Trades

The Oklahoma City Thunder send Jason Terry and Anderson Varejao to the Orlando Magic. The Orlando Magic send DeAndre Jordan to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

*The Orlando Magic send Sergey Karasev to the Oklahoma City Thunder

We have already mentioned this one earlier, as this was a ripple trade from the big mid-season trade made by the Thunder. I think both teams did good on this trade, both with different objectives. The evolution of young Karasev will determine the balance of this trade, so far it weighs to the Magic.

Best FA Signing

Kirk Hinrich signs with the Oklahoma City Thunder under the MLE for 2 years and $ 3,941,000.

This was a good signing from a team that didn’t make many of them. The Thunder shied away from signings, and the bad record also didn’t help.

Worst FA Signing

Vladimir Radmanovic signs with the Oklahoma City Thunder for 1 year and the minimum salary of $ 1,352,181.

The Rad-Man has logged some minutes this season and while he hasn’t been that productive, his bench celebrations are top-notch!

Star

Dirk Nowitzki – 22.2 ppg 7.7 rpg 1.6apg. The lone star of the Thunder had to carry the team on its back after the departure of Pau to the Pistons. At 35 he continues to be productive the Thunder have been looking to shop him but still hasn’t found good trade partners. Dirk approaches his contract year so look for him to be motivated this season with his new partner Deandre Jordan getting the rebounds.

Surprise

Definitely the hiring of GM Nenjabin but from a roster perspective, I’d say the departure Nolan Smith, which the Thunder paid a hefty price to acquire (Ibaka). Now he was shipped to the Bobcats for an aging point guard in Chris Duhon.

Goat
See up.

Draft Report Card

The OKC started their summer off  with a big trade. By trading out of the lottery, the Thunder was able to acquire some new pieces for the rebuilding project the team is bound to make.

The Oklahoma City Thunder send Chuck Hayes and C.J. McCollum to the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz send Dennis Schroeder, Alex Abrines, Isaiah Canaan and Nate Wolters to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Oklahoma City Thunder trade -9 GM points.The Utah Jazz receive 9 GM points.

In this trade, Schroeder and Mccollum are the main pieces  while the Thunder gets rid of a big contract in Hayes and acquire Ledo, Abrines and Wolters, who look to make their teams.

Schroeder is a speedster the absolutely makes big plays with his  court vision. Comparisons to Rajon Rondo have been thrown out there, but it is rather too soon. Even though Dennis   takes too many chances in the game, that should improve over time. Wasn’t even a top 100 prospect 3 moths before the draft. Top riser.

Abrines is an euro-stash pick that was drafted on what he could become. O far he doesn’t have may opportunities in his club, but if you believe his talent, that should change soon.

Ledo was a top prospect coming out of high-school but couldn’t play in games because of NCAA violations. Caracter issues are there and has to put his mind into it to have a chance to make, but has some potential. A good volume scorer in high school.

Wolters is a small-school prospect that shot up the ranks for his 53-point performance in the season. Scouts are divided about his athleticism but none doubt his wits. Can see the whole floor and score. Needs to improve his defense to stay on the floor.

Erick Green is another guard prospect selected by the Thunder in the second round, the top scorer in NCAA out of Virginia Tech. Has a smallish frame but people think he will  find a niche as a 6th man. His scoring has a great chance to translate and contribute to a good team.

Looking to the Future

As mentioned earlier, their draft class will be the base for this team’s future, coupled with the hard work GM Nenjabin has vowed to do, will ultimately dictate how far OKC can go and how good he can become. We wish them nothing but the best!!

Upcoming Free Agents

James White – The high-flying dunker is just that a dunker, therefore his impact in the game is questioned by some despite his max dunk rating. With so many upcoming rookie signings, White may be on the outs.

DeMarre Carroll – Carroll has found his niche as a backup in the league and OKC could certainly use his skill set on the court, he might even begin the year as the stater.

Vladimir Radmadovic – Another one that might leave OKC barring rookie signings after a not-so productive season. Could go back to Europe too.