Jeff Green's Future With Oklahoma City

[Built Ford Tough]

I think it is pretty clear that in order for the Thunder to take the next step and solidify themselves as legitimate threats for the NBA Championship, they need to continue to see development from their young players like Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka, Aldrich, Durant etc..., but I also think that they need to go after a legitimate power forward as I don't think that the Thunder can ever win an NBA Championship with a player like Green playing the 4. There are very few examples of teams winning an NBA Championship with an undersized 4, especially if he isn't complimented by an elite defensive and rebounding center (which is why the Magic are able to be contenders despite having Lewis as the 4).

 

He doesn't seem to be improving much anymore, which isn't exactly a problem because he is a very good role player already, but if the Thunder are going to become contenders in the West, they need to add some size to their frontcourt. I think that is pretty obvious.

 

So it begs the question, what does the future hold in store for Jeff Green and the Thunder? His contract is up at the end of the season and the Thunder are going to have to make a decision on whether or not they are going to keep him around.

 

Should they try and trade him for a more traditional power forward?

Should they use him as a 6th man?

Should they continue to have him as the starting 4?

[Poe]

I never understood how the Thunder were able to make the playoffs with Green at the 4 and Krstic at the 5. I guess it pays to have a Superstar like Durant on the team.

 

Green is much better suited for a backup role at the 3-4, or just a starter at the 3 for a well rounded team. He should start at the 4 only if there is a dominant center like Dwight Howard in the paint to grab those extra boards and be a presence inside defensively, which like you said, they don't have. If Cole Aldrich turns out to be a defensive monster however, which I think is pretty unlikely btw, maybe they can have a brighter future keeping Green as the starting 4.

 

 

IMO, the 1st priority is to find a better suited starting PF. If it's necessary to let go of Green to acquire such a player, then it's worth the loss. If the Thunder can both gain a starting PF and keep Green as a back up without losing anything of value, then that would be the best option above all else... if it's possible.

[Check my Stats]

All the best teams in the league right now have very good PF's, Celtics have a broken down, but still effective KG, Heat have Bosh, Lakers have Pau, Mavs have Dirk, even Nene on the Nuggets. The only team they could match him up at the 4 and get by is the Magic.

 

They should shop him for a PF, maybe someone like Josh Smith is available I don't know. Someone like Scola would have been perfect for them as well. They should just keep him at the 4, or bring him off the bench at the 3/4, unless they can find a legitimate starting big man who is still young enough to stick in with the core of young pieces they have.

 

This is one of the reasons I think the Thunder are still a few years away, they have a 3 guys right now who should all be starting, but only have 2 available positions (Harden, Durant and Green at the 2/3). Aldrich will be a good addition but it will take him a couple years before he makes an impact, I also like that Ibaka kid. The future is bright but there is still some tweaking they need to do.

[Real Deal]

OKC should just stick him on the block before the deadline. Teams would be interested in a defensive-minded player like Green, and it's better to trade him now before his contract expires.

 

Where to go from there? Well, look for a true PF in the draft, if there's no option available in a trade. The Thunder will be around $9 million under the cap this season, and Green is making $4.46 million...so the Thunder could absorb a bigger contract of, maybe, a disgruntled PF? He wouldn't have to be an all-star, just someone who can score in the post.

[Check my Stats]

I wonder how Al Jefferson would have looked in a Thunder jersey.

[moeroadkill]

and you know who that guy is.. PAUL MILLSAP!

he is rotting away on the utar bench. he would be the imo the best PF it fit on this team, young, doesnt have a ego, (willing?) to come off the bench and isnt a big name. perfect fit.

but presti isnt making any changes anytime soon. the core guys wont be traded. only way we lose green is if a team over pays him by FA. and we still have a year o see if green improves, i hope he doesnt shoot as many threes, and plays in the post more. like what josh smith done

[Newman]

If it costs Jeff Green in order for the Thunder to re-sign Russell Westbrook, I believe they will do it. Otherwise, Green is not a bad 3rd or 4th option to have. Like others above me, I would like the Thunder to get a more traditional PF like Paul Millsap and that would give them a greater chance of winning.

[The Truth]

I wonder how Al Jefferson would have looked in a Thunder jersey.

I thought about that possibility as well. I was kind of hoping it would happen, actually.

 

 

and you know who that guy is.. PAUL MILLSAP!

he is rotting away on the utar bench. he would be the imo the best PF it fit on this team, young, doesnt have a ego, (willing?) to come off the bench and isnt a big name. perfect fit.

but presti isnt making any changes anytime soon. the core guys wont be traded. only way we lose green is if a team over pays him by FA. and we still have a year o see if green improves, i hope he doesnt shoot as many threes, and plays in the post more. like what josh smith done

meh, I don't know about Millsap. isn't he going to start in Utah now with Jefferson at the five? either way, I think a guy like Brandon Bass might be more realistic. he can do good things when given the minutes and because of his contract, OKC could probably get him dirt cheap.