POLL If you were given a four-year contract to be VP of Basketball Operations...

[HurricaneDij39]

Who would you rather have?

The Thunder have apparently made their choice, but which would be yours (when you factor in the contract status of both players)?

 

[tlance]

The fact that this is even a real question shows just how far Westbrook has fallen.

I don’t know how good Shai will be. Chances are he is not a future all star though. Riss is an all star.

If you are rebuilding, you would rather have young guy with upside on the rookie contract. Which is why you won’t hear Shai’s name in more trade rumors this summer.

If you need that piece to help you compete like Miami or Detroit, you take Russ and his bloated contract.

Because he has the talent to be a difference maker in this league.

 

[logic]

Who would you rather have?

The Thunder have apparently made their choice, but which would be yours (when you factor in the contract status of both players)?

Completely depends on the situation.

and of course the potato salad.

 

[bksballer89]

Completely depends on the situation.

and of course the potato salad.

Exactly. If you're a small market team like OKC and want to tear shit down and rebuild then the choice is SGA.

If you're a playoffs team and trying to improve then the choice is just as obvious. Give me Russ who is a borderline top 10 player

 

[bksballer89]

And for the record i don't think Russ fallen off that much (if any). People around the league especially most of the media really hates him. Really all it comes down to for the most part

 

[Mebert]

I would not take Westbrook unless my team was completely devoid of star talent.

 

[bksballer89]

Who would you rather have?

The Thunder have apparently made their choice, but which would be yours (when you factor in the contract status of both players)?

I also wouldn't say the thunder made their choice. They had to get back at least one promising player once George forced their hand. SGA is the only real young player the Clippers had who proved to be solid and was a former 1st round pick. He and Shamet but since SGA was a lottery pick they probably thought he was a better choice.

Not like the thunder got up one day on their own and decided to find another PG.

Paul George forced them to rebuild by his trade demand. It is that simple

 

[tlance]

And for the record i don't think Russ fallen off that much (if any). People around the league especially most of the media really hates him. Really all it comes down to for the most part

His value has.

When he signed the extension he was viewed as a superstar and a top 5-7 player by most.

His efficiency issues have gotten so bad that now people are talking about him as a bad contract. IF he were still a top 5 player nobody would be saying that.

Most would rank him outside the top 10 and that makes his contract a little tough to swallow given his age and his declining efficiency.

 

[thunderc]

For anyone to take on a top contract means he is still a top player, period. It’s going to happen.

 

[bksballer89]

His efficiency issues have gotten so bad that now people are talking about him as a bad contract. IF he were still a top 5 player nobody would be saying that.

This just isn't true about his efficiency. Since signing the contract in fall of 2017, he has been more than fine. Outside of a rough 1st half (more like a rough Dec/Jan), his efficiency been pretty good compared to what we seen from Russ previously.

In the 2017-2018 season, he avg 25.4 PPG, 10 RPG, & 10 APG on 44.9 % (3rd best shooting % of his career)

In the 2nd half of last season, he avg 25.5 PPG, 11 RPG, & 10 APG on 44.7 % shooting.

So basically his efficiency issues were bad for 2 months in the 2 seasons he played since signing the contract. That's it

 

[PickleRick]

For anyone to take on a top contract means he is still a top player, period. It’s going to happen.

Still being a top player is not the issue. Where he ranks in those top spots and whether or not his contract is worth it is very much the issue. And it is a very legitimate conversation topic.

 

[knowyourenemy]

Exactly. If you're a small market team like OKC and want to tear shit down and rebuild then the choice is SGA.

If you're a playoffs team and trying to improve then the choice is just as obvious. Give me Russ who is a borderline top 10 player

I disagree. In either circumstance, I want Westbrook. If rebuilding, I’ll trade him for multiple assets that I would probably value higher than SGA.

 

[thunderc]

Still being a top player is not the issue. Where he ranks in those top spots and whether or not his contract is worth it is very much the issue. And it is a very legitimate conversation topic.

Lol well you just talk about it all you want. If a GM takes on that contract, and they will, it just might mean something.

 

[shopson67]

For me, it would depend on my coach. If I have a head coach that has earned Russ' respect, then I might take Russ. I think the right coach can get Russ to ease up on the ball dominance and usage rate. His defensive ability and all around offensive ability (even if he's slumping with the jumper) is worth his contract if he's coachable.

 

[CitySushi]

Who would you rather have?

The Thunder have apparently made their choice, but which would be yours (when you factor in the contract status of both players)?

Like others have said, it honestly depends. I don't think a flat out who would I rather have situation is applicable without knowing the landscape of the NBA. You'd have to canvas a trade market for Westbrook first. Then you'd have to see what you could possibly get in return for your stockpile of picks, etc. Talent/production alone, you'd go off Westbrook obviously. But depending on the vision of what you have or are trying to build you might go with Shai. I guess my ultimate decision as to who I would choose is not what's the cumulative success over the 4 years, but what is my PEAK over the 4 year course. Makes it a tough call.

 

[Shanemansj13]

From the Cavs perspective, SGA. That's why they aren't trading Garland or Sexton for RW bc I guarantee if one of those was including in a trade package OKC would pull the trigger.

Also, @shopson67 pointed out from the coach perspective as well and this is also part of it. Again, from the Cavs perspective having Beilein, he is known for developing young talent, just another reason to would take SGA over RW.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

 

[Bart]

Completely depends on the situation.

and of course the potato salad.

What's the origin of this potato salad option?

 

[Bart]

Unless the goal for your team is to be over the cap while getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs you go with anyone not name Russell Westbrook.

 

[tabascojet]

okc is trying to reenact the success they had in the draft when they moved.....rockets also hope to reenact that same okc success with same players years older