Tag: Oklahoma City Thunder

Celtics’ Danny Ainge is the master of trades in the NBA

There is no exact science to measuring the success of an NBA executive, though re-evaluating trades is common practice by basketball media.

There is no exact science to measuring the success of an NBA executive, though re-evaluating trades is common practice by basketball media.

As part of this, we looked at how many All-Stars seasons the traded players have had after the deal. The executive who did the best in this mark is Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and it’s not even close.

Ainge has had 16 seasons of All-Star campaigns from players he has traded for during his tenure with the Celtics. Perhaps most notable is that he landed Kevin Garnett (who was an All-Star five times with Boston) without giving up any in return. Ray Allen also made three All-Star teams and the Celtics surrendered none in return.

Even more impressive: none of the players he has traded has ever made an All-Star team after leaving the franchise. That also includes offering Isaiah Thomas (who made an All-Star team with Boston but has not since) in a deal for superstar guard Kyrie Irving.

The only other active executive in the NBA who has netted more than two All-Star seasons without giving up any is Portland Trail Blazers president of basketball operations and general manager Neil Olshey – who acquired Chris Paul while he was working for the Clippers.

Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey has given up five All-Star seasons in exchange for seven. His trades have clearly been the most high-risk, high-reward of the executives around the league.

This study also looks at folks who were formerly executives for other teams (e.g. Mitch Kupchak with the Los Angeles Lakers as well as the Charlotte Hornets) before arriving at their current destination.

Overall, the basketball exec who fared the worst in this research was Sam Presti. This is mostly from trading James Harden, who has been an All-Star seven years in a row since getting moved to the Rockets. It also includes two All-Star nods from Victor Oladipo, who was acquired in exchange for Paul George.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

[lawrence-related id=1268634]

Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Los Angeles Lakers (12-2) visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (5-9) Friday at Chesapeake Energy Arena in a rematch of a game the Lakers won 112-107 in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Lakers-Thunder odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Lakers at Thunder: Key injuries

Lakers

  • C Anthony Davis (shoulder) probable
  • PF Kyle Kuzma (eye) probable
  • SG Avery Bradley (leg) out

Thunder

  • SG Hamidou Diallo (knee) out
  • SG Andre Roberson (knee) out

Lakers at Thunder: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Lakers 113, Thunder 102

Moneyline (ML)

With the LAKERS (-189) are an easy play at a relatively modest number as they’re expected to have the services of both Davis and Kuzma on Friday. The No. 1 team in the Western Conference is 4-1 on the road, and has won five straight games with all but one victory coming by a margin of at least five points.

The Thunder (+155) aren’t appealing enough at home, even though they are 5-3 there. They enter the day as losers of consecutive games against the L.A. Clippers and Lakers. OKC did win its last home game, topping the Philadelphia 76ers 127-119 in overtime. But this is a tougher test. The Lakers have the best point differential in basketball at plus-9.8. The Thunder have been outscored by a half-point per game.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager the Lakers to win would return a profit of $5.30.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Increase your profit margin by backing the LAKERS (-5.5, +110) with the points. A win by six or more will return a profit of $11 on a $10 bet, as opposed to the $5.30 reward on a moneyline bet.

L.A. is 9-5 ATS overall and 3-2 ATS on the road. OKC is 9-5 overall and 5-3 at home, but the Lakers cover by an average of 2.1 points per game to the Thunder’s 1.6 margin. OKC drops to 2-4 ATS when having the same amount of rest as its opponents. L.A. is 5-3 in those situations.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 210.5 (-110). Tuesday’s head-to-head meeting cruised past this number with a combined point total of 219.

The Lakers are 7-7 against the O/U overall, but they fall an average of 4.9 points shy of the projection. The Thunder are 6-8 against the O/U and miss the projection by an average of 5.8 points. But with both teams at full strength and well-rested, bettors should expect a higher-scoring affair.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 34-38

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

Lakers begin longest trip of season so far on Friday in Oklahoma City

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are hitting the road for their first extended trip after playing most of their games at home.

Of the first 14 games the Los Angeles Lakers played this season, a whopping nine of them were played within the friendly, stage lit confines of the Staples Center. The results have been an 8-1 home record, with their lone loss at home coming to the defending champion Toronto Raptors. But starting today, the Lakers will have their longest road trip of the season that will take them right to Thanksgiving.

Friday’s game is a rematch of a game played earlier this week between the Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who played a very tough game and have been a very scrappy 5-9 with the No. 12 defense in the league.

Tuesday night’s 112-107 win showed that the Lakers could slow down the strong Thunder backcourt of Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while back-up guard Dennis Schroeder pitched in a team-high 31 points off the bench.

Tuesday’s match-up was also the rare night for the Lakers this season where they won with their offensive firepower more than their defense. A big part of that firepower was one of the best shooting nights for star forward Anthony Davis as he finished with 34 points and a season-high three 3-pointers.

While all the games on the Lakers road trip will be against teams currently below .500, it will be interesting to see how the team reacts to their longest trip of the young season.

Hamidou Diallo and Steven Adams in ‘full-contact practice’ Thursday

Diallo and Adams have both been hampered by left knee issues, but Billy Donovan said both Thunder players participated in practice Thursday.

Good news for the Thunder – both Hamidou Diallo and Steven Adams practiced on Thursday.

Both Diallo and Adams have been dealing with left knee issues.

Diallo has missed the last three games for Oklahoma City while Adams, who initially injured his left knee in a loss against the Rockets at the end of October, has been closely monitored in terms of minutes since his return against the Pacers on November 12.

Billy Donovan said on Thursday that both Diallo and Adams participated in “full-contact practice”, according to Erik Horne of The Athletic.

How much of it is because of his knee issue is unknown, but Adams’ production has dropped this season from a year ago. Through 11 games, his minutes (33.4 to 26.3), scoring (13.9 points to 7.8) and field-goal percentage (59.5% to 50.6%) have all seen a significant slide.

The Thunder could’ve used Diallo’s presence against the Lakers on Tuesday to help contain LeBron on defense while providing a more difficult defensive matchup for James.

Oklahoma City will host the Lakers Friday, tip-off is at 7 p.m. CT.

Avery Bradley (hairline fracture) out for at least another week

The Los Angeles Lakers starting guard for 10 games this season will miss their upcoming four-game road trip.

The Los Angeles Lakers are heading out on their first long road trip of the season without a key piece of their team and a starting player for 10 games early in the season.

Avery Bradley, who was expected to miss one-to-two weeks with a hairline fracture in his leg, will miss the team’s upcoming four-game road trip, after which he will be evaluated, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

Perhaps making things easier on Bradley and giving him more time to recover has been the phenomenal play of late from shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Pope has been a monster on both ends as of later, bringing phenomenal ball pressure along with some high-level shot-making. KCP is averaging 14 points on 63% shooting from the field and 54.5% from the 3-point line.

With Bradley out, KCP will likely continue to get the start while Rajon Rondo and Alex Caruso will provide the guard depth behind him. Rondo looked excellent in Tuesday’s win and Caruso has been solid all season, coupled with Caldwell-Pope’s excellent play, Bradley and the Lakers have the luxury to take the time to heal. At this time last year, such luxuries for the Lakers were unthinkable. What a difference a year can make.

Kyle Kuzma intends to play, wear goggles Friday at Oklahoma City

The Los Angeles Lakers forward told reporters on Thursday that he wanted to return in Tuesday’s win over Oklahoma City.

Kyle Kuzma wants to ball and he won’t let a little eye abrasion stop him as he tries to channel Los Angeles Lakers legends of the past by making some memorable on-court moments while wearing some good old fashioned sports goggles.

Kuzma, who wanted to play in Tuesday’s win over the Thunder after leaving the game with blood coming from his right eye, told reporters who were in the building for Thursday’s Lakers practice that he would play while he worked out with some yellow-trimmed sports goggles specs. He also said that he wanted to go by the name “Big Game Kuz,” in honor of Lakers legend James Worthy, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

While I love the spirit from Kuzma to honor a Lakers legend who wore specs, you can’t call yourself “Big Game” anything until you play in an actual big NBA game. Maybe he could be something like “Kareem Abdul-Kuzma” if he brings out a skyhook while he rocks the goggles. But the “Big Game” moniker should be reserved for those who have big games. Kuzma will have a chance to earn that nickname with a rolling Lakers squad at the top of the West, but he hasn’t gotten there just yet.

 

Not many buyers in Chris Paul trade market

With all of the teams potentially interested in trading for Paul playing well, the market to deal the veteran guard is drying up.

In a perfect world, Chris Paul would have gotten off to a stellar start in Oklahoma City.

In comparison, the teams that had previously been interested in dealing for him: Miami, Milwaukee, and Minnesota would be sluggish and in need of a trade to shake things up.

But things are rarely perfect, and although Paul has indeed excelled as the leader of the Thunder, the trade marker for the 34-year-old veteran is shockingly quiet.

Oklahoma City knew that it would be difficult to offload Paul’s contract. $38.5 million, $41.3 million and $44.2 million per year, starting with this season is a tough sell to anyone.

But, as pointed out by The Oklahoman, for the moment trading CP3 looks more difficult than ever.

But it doesn’t help that Miami, the team that was most interested in Paul during the off-season is off to a 9-3 start. For now, Jimmy Butler seems fine on his own in South Beach.

Or that Minnesota, who already has a superstar in Karl-Anthony Towns, is 8-6 and playing better than their record indicates.

Berry Tramel believes that ultimately, the most likely landing spot for Paul is the Lakers. They “remain the team most likely to covet Paul. Money is no object to the Lakers. And while Davis and LeBron are going great guns, Davis is injury-prone and LeBron is almost 35. Paul would be an insurance policy.”

That being said, the Lakers don’t have much to offer in return to a rebuilding Thunder organization.

The 2019-20 season is just 14 games in. There’s still time for a market to develop, but for now, all is quiet on the Chris Paul front.

Here is why the Bulls could make sense in trade for Danilo Gallinari

A proposed trade between OKC and Chicago could send Gallinari to the Bulls in exchange for Otto Porter, Denzel Valentine, and Luke Kornet.

Almost from the moment that Oklahoma City traded away Paul George and Russell Westbrook, the trade talk surrounding the Thunder was when and where OKC was going to move Chris Paul.

But as the season has progressed, there’s a different name that’s being mentioned with increasing frequency – Danilo Gallinari.

Gallo has been a consistent presence in the Thunder’s lineup through the first 14 games, averaging 19.1 points and shooting 44.5% from the field.

And at 31, Gallinari is three years younger than Paul and his contract, while complicated, isn’t quite as difficult to offload.

Gallo has previously been suggested as a possible candidate in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The newest team that’s been mentioned in conjunction with the 31-year-old is the Chicago Bulls.

Per Fansided’s Pippen Ain’t Easy, the Bulls would propose a trade package of Otto Porter Jr., Denzel Valentine, and Luke Kornet for Gallinari, Terrance Ferguson, and Darius Bazley.

“And what this helps for the Thunder in return from the Bulls is a much-needed two-way wing with Porter Jr. and a strong spot-up three-point shooting presence with fourth-year shooting guard Denzel Valentine. If the Thunder still manage to stay in playoff contention in the Western Conference through the midpoint of the regular season, then a trade like this could make sense.”

As noted by JB Baruelo of Inquisitr, Porter is “clearly an upgrade for Ferguson in the Thunder’s win rotation”.

Through nine games, Porter Jr. is averaging 11.2 points, down from his career-high of 17.5 during the 2018-2019 season. That number, however, is still higher than Ferguson, who is averaging just 5.2 in 25.2 minutes per game.

WATCH: LeBron James becomes first NBA player to record triple-double against all 30 teams

LeBron James made NBA history becoming the first player to get a triple-double against all 30 teams in the league.

LeBron James has added yet another basketball milestone to his long list of them, becoming the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double against all 30 teams in the league.

He did so Tuesday night in a 112-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center, going for 25 points, 11 boards and 10 assists. That marked his fifth triple-double of the season and the 86th of his career.

“Coach (Frank) Vogel came in here and said, ‘Congratulations,’ and I thought he was joking about my seven turnovers,” James said to the Associated Press. “I really don’t know what to think about it. I just think it’s a pretty cool stat to know, and I’m glad it happened in a win.”

Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook is next in line to get a triple-double against all 30 teams, only missing his former team of 11 years, Oklahoma City.

How to Watch Los Angeles Clippers, Preview, NBA Live Stream, Clippers vs Celtics, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch the Los Angeles Clippers Live Online.

Tonight for the first time this season Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will suit up and play together. This is what fans have been waiting for and should be an entertaining game, to say the least. The Celtics have been cruising along this year and will be a tough test for them on the road.

Watch the Los Angeles Clippers 2019-20 Season

Next game: vs. Boston Celtics, Nov. 20, 10:00 p.m. ET 

Local TV affiliate: Fox Sports West

Streaming option for the season: fuboTV (watch for free)

The Clippers may have landed the best player in the NBA when acquiring Leonard during the offseason. As the reigning Finals MVP, Leonard’s combination of defensive ability and scoring acumen has him consistently talked about as the best all-around player in the league. Combined with the newly acquired Paul George, the Clippers have two stars that can potentially carry them to the promised land.

But the NBA is about depth as much as it is about star power, and the Clippers have that as well. Defending sixth man of the year Lou Williams is still available to give second units around the league nightmares, while players like Montrezl Harrell should see easier opportunities now that defenses have to focus on Leonard and George. Whether this group can get on the same page in time for a postseason run remains to be seen, but this unit could be the most exciting in the history of the Clippers.

Clippers November 2019 Schedule

All Times ET

Mon. Nov. 18 vs. Thunder, 10:30 PM

Wed. Nov. 20 vs. Celtics, 10:00 PM

Fri. Nov. 22 vs. Rockets, 10:30 PM

Sun. Nov 24 vs. Pelicans, 9:00 PM

Tues. Nov. 26 @ Mavericks, 8:30 PM

Wed. Nov. 27 @ Grizzlies, 8:00 PM

Fri. Nov. 29 @ Spurs, 8:30 PM

We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.