Etan Thomas traded to the Thunder

OKC is a good young team - and they have a core of very good players (Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green) - but their front line definitely needs some help. They signed C Nenad Krstic to an offer sheet last year, but frequently had to use Nick Collison at Center. Most see Nick Collison as a PF.

Thomas will probably vie for the starting job with Nenad Krstic, a 6-year veteran from Serbia. At the very least, Etan should have an opportunity to play substantial minutes.

over 2 years ago Rook6980 15 comments 0 recs |

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Chucky Atkins was part of the deal

LOL

by Unselds on Jul 27, 2009 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

I doubt Thomas will have a shot at starting

Krstic is pretty solid, and I just don’t think Thomas has much left. Even if Thomas were to get some of his rebounding back, Westbrook turns the ball over enough that they don’t need Thomas fumbling every other pass out of bounds.

Ridiculous Upside, where the D-League is better than your favorite team, as objectively determined by Summer League.

by Jon L on Jul 27, 2009 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

Plus, they have Collison

They did this trade to get the second-round picks, methinks.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jul 27, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

Plus, they have Collison

And Minnesota has the F/C Songaila…. Nick Collison plays Center like Songaila plays Center…

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jul 27, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

And to get rid of the guards

By my count, they have five guards with some reasonable expectation of being in the rotation – Atkins and Wilkins were clutter at this point. Besides which, the Thunder own their own D-League affiliate, so they have a place to send second-round picks for seasoning.

Ridiculous Upside, where the D-League is better than your favorite team, as objectively determined by Summer League.

by Jon L on Jul 27, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Where did Krstic play last year?

In Russia for most of the year….. rehabbing a serious knee injury. If that knee gives him any trouble, I could see Thomas stepping in….

As I said before, Collison is more of a Power Forward – forced into playing Center for OKC because they didn’t have anyone else. I think whether it’s Thomas or Krstic playing Center, Collison will be their PF.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jul 27, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

When you say "most see Collison as a center," who's "most?"

According to 82games.com, he played better as a center last year than as a power forward.

Ridiculous Upside, where the D-League is better than your favorite team, as objectively determined by Summer League.

by Jon L on Jul 27, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I am happy for Etan...

Not sure if there is much of a market for his poetry in OKC… but it is a nice young team for him to work with and a true fresh start. He will contribute.

What is Minnesota trying to do, though, corner the market in mediocre backcourt players?

by khrabb on Jul 27, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

They had like a zillion power forward types before this trade and the Clippers' trade

They had Love, Jefferson, Madsen, Craig Smith, Songaila, Etan, Pecherov, Gomes, etc.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jul 27, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Etan played high school ball in Oklahoma

The Thunder didn’t get to pick homeboy Blake Griffin, so they are settling for the next best thing. haha.

by disgrunted on Jul 27, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

actually I think

after a long run in DC, this is the beginning of a journeyman’s career for Thomas. He enjoyed more stability the past few years than a lot of players better than him. I think it may catch up to him now.

by CJHutch on Jul 27, 2009 7:42 PM EDT reply actions

Too generous?

Perhaps I’m being overly harsh (and not due to any animus toward Etan, who I like), but I’m not at all sure Thomas is even worth being a journeyman anymore. Not only didn’t he ever live up to his big contract, but last season, he really didn’t look like any NBA player. I mean, we won 19 games and it was hard for him to even get off the bench.

"Now, obviously individual production does not unilaterally equal better team production, but there's a high level of causation."

by Vanilla Gorilla on Jul 28, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

I agree with you

I doubt he spends enough time in the league to bounce around.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jul 28, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Obviously it depends on his health.

by MR on Jul 28, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

This is more cap room for 2010

If Kevin Durant says I am staying in with the Former Sonics long term wouldn’t that be a place you would want to go if you are Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosh.

"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck

by George Templeton on Jul 28, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions