Ibaka/Oladipo trade

[elindholm]

The report is Ibaka to the Magic for Oladipo, Ilyasova, and the rights to Domantas Sabonis (#11). This seems like a terrible overpayment by Orlando to me. Ibaka has never developed into an impact player, and I speculated during the playoffs that the Thunder would try to move him. Oladipo, on the other hand, showed signs of stardom toward the end of the regular season, when he put up several monster games. If anything, it should have been Oklahoma City including sweeteners, not Orlando. This trade makes the Thunder quite a bit stronger, in my opinion.

 

[SweetD]

I don't get it either. Would have at least asked for Adams or Kanter from OKC

 

[Folster]

Losing Ibaka seems like a significant loss for their front line, but Kanter and Adams have seemed to be solid. If Sabonis develops they'll be fine.

Getting a perimeter defender in Oladipo was a move made with Golden State in mind.

 

[elindholm]

Getting a perimeter defender in Oladipo was a move made with Golden State in mind.

The thing is, he's not just a defender. After the All-Star break, he averaged 19.4 ppg on .474 shooting and 4.2 FTA. He's showing all signs of breaking out as a legitimate two-way player.

 

[Sunburn]

Ya, Ibaka, to me, used to be an impactful defensive player. That was what made him valuable imo. He seems to have turned into more of a stretch 4, with much less interest in defense and rebounding. Maybe, with the addition of Adams, this is what was asked of him in Oklahoma City. Regardless, he had become superfluous on the Thunder. Really not much of a loss for them, and got quite a bit in return. Good trade for OKC.....damnit. Orlando trades several nice, young pieces for a guy that doesn't move the needle much. Bit of a headscratcher.

 

[Russ Smith]

Yeah it sure looks to me like OKC got better with this deal. I already had them as probably the favorite in the West if Durant stays but add in Oladipo they are better. now you can assume Roberson comes off the bench. I don't know how much you can play Kanter and Adams together but they have lots of options.

ALl depends on Durant of course.

 

[sunsfan88]

I think Oladipo has a lot of D-Wade type qualities in his game. I think Orlando will regret this trade especially since Ibaka becomes a UFA after one year.

Not only that, so does this mean promising PF Aaron Gordon is no longer a starter?

 

[slinslin]

Oladipo is very similar to Knight, even in terms of age.

Sabonis is a backup center and Illyasova hasnt had a good season in years.

Only problem with Ibaka is his 2017 free agency.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Sabonis will be a core guy. He doesn't have the athleticism of Ibaka but will have similar impact--maybe a better rebounder.

 

[elindholm]

Oladipo is very similar to Knight

What is this I can't even.

Someone tell slin his account has been hacked.

 

[slinslin]

What is this I can't even.

Someone tell slin his account has been hacked.

He is a short 2, overrated defender, loves to take dumb shots, they are both 24, their stat lines are almost identical

http://www.basketball-reference.com...m=1&p1=oladivi01&p2=knighbr03&p3=&p4=&p5=&p6=

 

[elindholm]

He is a short 2, overrated defender, loves to take dumb shots, they are both 24, their stat lines are almost identical

I guess the question is whether you believe that Oladipo's numbers after the All-Star Break last season show real improvement or are a small-sample fluke. If they're real, he blows Knight away.

And even if he's an "overrated" defender, he's still a better defender than Knight. And he's bigger and stronger. So it's a pretty weak comparison.

 

[slinslin]

Knight had better stretches than Oladipo. Post allstar game is like saying knight avg 20/5/5 and 20PER before Bledsoes injury.

 

[devilalum]

I see Knight as a combo guard while Oladipo is chearly a 2.

sent from a fone

 

[GatorAZ]

Oladipo is much stronger and more athletic. As a #1 option he wasn't taking the Magic anywhere but he won't have nearly the responsibility in OKC. With Ibaka declining I can't see how this isn't a great deal for the Thunder.

The problem for OKC if they match up again with GS is that Kanter and Sabonis will be ineffective.

 

[Errntknght]

Oladipo plays the point at times and his Ast/TO ratio is better than Knights by 20% 1.8 vs 1.5. Looking at Goodwin who is awful at the point, his Ast/TO is 1.2 so Knight's ratio is midway between Goodwin and Oladipo. (The average of Ast/TO for all SGs is 1.6 and for all PGs 2.3.)

Slin's stats show that Knight and Oladipo are generally quite similar but Ast/TO ratio is a critical parameter and Knight is below the level that a good team can have for a PG, which is what Brandon touts himself as. As a SG with no point responsibilities I'd expect his Ast/TO ratio to increase a bit, maybe even above average for SGs.

I'd take Oladipo over Knight in a heartbeat, maybe because I haven't suffered from watching him play.

Thankfully, we now have a real PG - Bled is not that much better than Knight at running the offense. But coming off the bench in limited minutes I'd far rather have him than either Knight or Oladipo. When Bled is going all out on D he can seriously disrupt opponent's offenses.

 

[SirStefan32]

Oladipo is also a good defender.

 

[Sunburn]

Oladipo is very similar to Knight, even in terms of age.

Sabonis is a backup center and Illyasova hasnt had a good season in years.

Only problem with Ibaka is his 2017 free agency.

I can't stand Knight jacking up long distance 2's with 15 seconds left on the shot clock. He is on his third team now, and we are willing to get rid of him, just like the previous two. Oladipo plays some semblance of defense. On that alone, I take Oladipo over Knight, but he also has more upside at this point, and if you'd like to debate this, swing away. Ilyasova is blah but your statement regarding Sabonis is baseless. Dude hasn't played a single minute in the NBA yet but the all-knowing Slin has declared him a backup, so I guess that's the end of that.

 

[devilalum]

Thankfully, we now have a real PG - Bled is not that much better than Knight at running the offense. But coming off the bench in limited minutes I'd far rather have him than either Knight or Oladipo. When Bled is going all out on D he can seriously disrupt opponent's offenses.

I love the direction the Suns are moving in with the new draftees but I'm not sure they have the PG on board that can take them to the promised land. Bledsoe and Knight both have warts. I'm excited to see Ulis but its really hard to imagine a player his size being the starting PG on a championship team. IMO the best current prospect is Booker. If he continues to improve his ball handling, he showed some nice passing skills last year and his shot is already the best on the team.

Or, maybe they'll find a formula that isn't centered around an elite PG.

 

[SweetD]

I can't stand Knight jacking up long distance 2's with 15 seconds left on the shot clock. He is on his third team now, and we are willing to get rid of him, just like the previous two. Oladipo plays some semblance of defense. On that alone, I take Oladipo over Knight, but he also has more upside at this point, and if you'd like to debate this, swing away. Ilyasova is blah but your statement regarding Sabonis is baseless. Dude hasn't played a single minute in the NBA yet but the all-knowing Slin has declared him a backup, so I guess that's the end of that.

Oladipo tries the same shots. He was a ball hog in Orlando. But Thunder got the better end of this deal for sure. The only question comes in now will they extend him? If he will accept the six man role maybe, but if he does like Harden or Waiters I don't see him sticking around OKC or is a sign and trade next year.

 

[slinslin]

Oladipo is also a good defender.

No he is not.

 

[Chaplin]

I love the direction the Suns are moving in with the new draftees but I'm not sure they have the PG on board that can take them to the promised land. Bledsoe and Knight both have warts. I'm excited to see Ulis but its really hard to imagine a player his size being the starting PG on a championship team. IMO the best current prospect is Booker. If he continues to improve his ball handling, he showed some nice passing skills last year and his shot is already the best on the team.

Or, maybe they'll find a formula that isn't centered around an elite PG.

In the modern NBA, you don't need an elite traditional PG. Look at Cleveland. It's been a long time since the days of Jason Kidd and John Stockton. Championship point guards don't score 10ppg and make 14apg anymore.

Booker is our future star, but Bledsoe is still our best player. You can't forget that.

 

[devilalum]

In the modern NBA, you don't need an elite traditional PG. Look at Cleveland. It's been a long time since the days of Jason Kidd and John Stockton. Championship point guards don't score 10ppg and make 14apg anymore.

Booker is our future star, but Bledsoe is still our best player. You can't forget that.

I just hope they can put together some kind of solid offense. Bledsoe is still probably their best player for now but he makes some really poor choices when he's got the ball in his hands too much. He dribbles into traffic with no plan. He dribbles out most of the shot clock and then attempts some kind of wild shot or drive. He is not a great finisher, how many times have we seen him drive into the lane, pick up his dribble and get surrounded? And he is terrible at throwing the lob which sucks now that we have Chriss.

I liked the way the offense looked last year with Booker controlling the ball. I hope they keep working on that. He also throws the best lob on the team and he may be the best pick and roll option as well.

 

[Chaplin]

I just hope they can put together some kind of solid offense. Bledsoe is still probably their best player for now but he makes some really poor choices when he's got the ball in his hands too much. He dribbles into traffic with no plan. He dribbles out most of the shot clock and then attempts some kind of wild shot or drive. He is not a great finisher, how many times have we seen him drive into the lane, pick up his dribble and get surrounded? And he is terrible at throwing the lob which sucks now that we have Chriss.

I liked the way the offense looked last year with Booker controlling the ball. I hope they keep working on that. He also throws the best lob on the team and he may be the best pick and roll option as well.

Well, the caveat is that he needs to be healthy, but when he is, he has looked damn good the last couple years. Heck, Knight's play is dictated by Bledsoe's health, as he looked great when they were playing together at the beginning of last season.