Friday Bolts: 6.16.17

Enes Kanter thinks Russell Westbrook will spend his entire career in Oklahoma City: “One thing I saw about him is he’s a loyal guy. I understand he’s from L.A., he loves L.A., he goes to L.A. every summer, but he’s a loyal player. I think he’s gonna finish his career in Oklahoma City.”

The LA Times reported OKC will likely pursue Blake Griffin this summer: “Griffin can sign a five-year deal worth $175 million with L.A., or sign a four-year deal worth $130 million with another team. The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder are two teams that will make a bid for Griffin, according to several executives.”

USA Today has OKC taking Terrance Ferguson at 21 in their latest mock draft: “Ferguson hasn’t wowed teams so far in the process, which shouldn’t be surprising after his dud of a season in Australia. Still, his combination of size, athleticism and 3-point shooting make him a perfect candidate for a patient team in need of a 3-and-D wing player.”

Brett Dawson on Terrance Ferguson, his Oklahoma ties and the year he spent abroad: “At next week’s NBA Draft, some team is going to select Rachelle Holdman’s son. And she’s going to be giddy for Terrance Ferguson. Holdman’s going to be ecstatic that her 19-year-old’s gamble – to skip college and play professionally for a year in Australia – paid off. But there might be a little extra emotion if Ferguson lands with the Thunder, which holds the No. 21 pick. “My favorite team!” Holdman said in a phone interview on Thursday with a long, happy laugh. “My favorite teeeeeeam!”

Sports Illustrated believes SMU forward Semi Ojeleye is the best fit with the Thunder: “Oklahoma City’s search for a small forward who can both shoot and play defense will continue into free agency. Ojeleye can offer the same traits at the 4 and also move down a position if need be. His imposing blend of strength, athleticism, defensive range and ability to drain long-range jump shots (he hit 42.4% of his 172 three-point attempts and 78.5% of his free throws last season at SMU) would add some positional flexibility to a Russ-oriented formula that fell flat against a second-rate West contender (the Houston Rockets) in this season’s playoffs. Ojeleye’s age (22) probably wouldn’t halt a Thunder club aiming to win big now.”

LeBron James & Draymond Green had quite the back-and-forth yesterday: “LeBron James may have lost the NBA Finals but he refuses to lose the war of trash talk. Draymond Green wore a shirt to the Warriors’ victory parade Thursday that said “Quickie” on it with a Q for Quicken Loans Arena. Green’s intention was made clear. They knocked the Cavs out of the series quick. James saw the shirt and decided he wasn’t going to let Green get the last word in. He screen shotted the image of Green and posted it with the perfect response. “That’s what she said” and of course the internet lost it. Perhaps even better are the people that liked the image.”

Chris Paul will reportedly meet with the Rockets and Nuggets this summer: “The Rockets finished third in the Western Conference last season, and signing Paul could allow them to challenge the Spurs and Golden State Warriors, while also taking some of the burden off James Harden. Denver missed the playoffs by one game; however, they could make strides with the addition of a superstar like Paul and some consistency at the point guard position in place of Emmanuel Mudiay.”

Paolo Uggetti on how the Warriors championship parade was an ode to NBA drama: “The Warriors didn’t just build the perfect basketball team. They built a love-and-hate culture around them that brings out the best (and worst) of everyone else. Their championship parade Thursday was the peak embodiment of that fact, the crowning jewel on a historic season. Here are the best moments. And by “best moments” I mean what Draymond Green did, and then everything else.”

Transcription of the KD/Bill Simmons podcast for those that don’t want to listen: “Yeah, we put in work, man. Stop telling us that it wasn’t earned or that we didn’t work for it. We were the most disciplined team all year. We preached teamwork and togetherness all season. And it’s hard to do that with a bunch of egos in the league.”