Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN) on the imminent departure of Carmelo Anthony from the Thunder: “The Thunder are working on trade scenarios in which Anthony, 34, would be moved as an expiring contract and waived, becoming a free agent once his $27.9 million 2017-18 salary clears waivers. Oklahoma City needs Anthony to waive his no-trade clause, which he has done to facilitate his exit, league sources said.”
Brett Dawson (NewsOK) says Terrance Ferguson’s summer league struggles are part of the developmental plan: “Ferguson came here to work on expanding his game, on playing with the ball as well as off it, on showing more than just spot-up jump shots and a transition finishes. But growing means learning, and the Thunder staff has taught him a lot. That’s why, Ferguson said, assistant coach Darko Rajakovic pulled Ferguson aside at a recent practice and preached patience.”
Berry Tramel (NewsOK) on how Serge Ibaka spurred the Thunder’s resurgence after Durant: “By nightfall, Ibaka was with the Orlando Magic. Sam Presti traded Ibaka to Orlando for Victor Oladipo, the drafted-that-night Domantas Sabonis and Ersan Ilyasova. Oladipo had one year left on his contract; he would make $6.5 million in 2016-17, then become a restricted free agent in summer 2017. Ilyasova had one year left on his contract; he would make $8 million in 2016-17, then become an unrestricted free agent.”
Erik Horne (NewsOK) breaks down the Carmelo Anthony trade scenarios: “Anthony has a no-trade clause in which he can veto any potential trade destination. What could make a trade easier, however, is if Anthony and his representation knew he was going to immediately be waived by the team which traded for him, thus making him eligible to sign with Houston, or even Miami and the Los Angeles Lakers, who are also reportedly interested in the 15-year veteran.”
Ira Winderman (Sun Sentinel) on the possibility of Anthony as a Heat: “An addition of Anthony, could potentially serve as a bridge to the team’s next incarnation, at least from a marketing standpoint. The Heat received a boost last season when Wade rejoined the team at midseason, after time with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Heat currently find themselves in a transition period, operating above the NBA salary cap and with only a $5.3 million mid-level exception to acquire additional talent.”
Grant Chapman (NewsHub) on Steven Adams needing to put the past behind in terms of the national team: “One of the glaring weaknesses of our junior teams – and probably across many sports – was that selection was tied very closely to parents’ ability to pay for their child’s participation. Many good players could not afford that commitment – Adams was undoubtedly one of them.”
Raymond Felton appeared on the Doug Gottlieb show.
Nick Gallo (OKCThunder.com) on Dakari Johnson showing some things in summer league: “Later in the quarter, with the game still tight, Johnson fed PJ Dozier on a backdoor alley-oop with a nice pass over the top from the elbow. The execution of that sideline out of bounds play was surely attributed to Johnson and Dozier’s experience with the Oklahoma City Blue and Head Coach Mark Daigneault. Yet still, Johnson’s skill level for his size, at 7-feet, 255 pounds, is remarkable.”
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