Monday Bolts – 7.1.13

Sam Amick of USA Today: “And now, there’s this: Their third-leading scorer and the unofficial replacement for Harden, shooting guard Kevin Martin, is a free agent who is seriously considering leaving town. Martin told USA TODAY Sports that he has an interest in returning to the Thunder, but it’s clear he’s looking around and well aware of how unlikely it is that they’ll offer the sort of contract he’s looking for. The list of teams who are known to have an interest in him is long and intriguing, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies.”

Kevin Martin: “I know they have tough decisions based on their salary cap and I have tough decisions because I’m 30 years old and I still feel like I’m … the top shooting guard, actually starting shooting guard, in this free agency,” Martin said by phone. “Both sides have positions, and I think we’ll face them in the upcoming week and just see how the whole process plays out. As (Thunder general manager) Sam (Presti) told me, I deserve to be in this process.”

Sunday Conversation with Kevin Durant.

Ron Adams was not retained by the Bulls and with the Thunder having an open spot on the bench, there’s a good chance of a return.

Andrew Gilman of Fox Sports Southwest likes Andre Roberson: “No doubt, the Thunder need help in the middle. Kendrick Perkins is not a scorer and didn’t contribute much rebounding in the playoffs. Adams is a quick, big man, who could fill some of that void. But the days of the dominant big man are behind us. Aside from Roy Hibbert in Indiana and a few others, including Dwight Howard, having a center is not a requirement. Playing some defense is. Roberson said Durant will be shocked when Durant sees his game. I won’t be.”

Jenni Carlson: “The referendum on the James Harden trade continues. If you watched any of ESPN’s coverage of the NBA Draft on Thursday night, you heard plenty of talk about the nearly year-old deal. Bill Simmons especially prattled on and on about it. How Oklahoma City should’ve kept Harden. How the Thunder let him go to Houston for nothing. On the first point, Simmons has apparently forgotten that Young James was the one who ultimately said no to a deal with the Thunder. And the second point simply isn’t true. The reality is, we still don’t know what the Thunder got for Harden — but we’re soon to start finding out. And that starts with Jeremy Lamb.”

Darnell Mayberry: “Minor moves are more of what’s expected. The Thunder needs a third string point guard behind Westbrook and Jackson. Possibilities include names like Royal Ivey, Chris Duhon and Nolan Smith. None of them are impact players, but they’re the type of players that would fit on the books and in the locker room. It’s also possible that the Thunder stands pat altogether. OKC could go into the season with a 14-man roster and reserve what little room it has left under the tax threshold to use in a trade or an in-season signing. The Thunder has some decisions to make now that July 1 is here. But given the team’s current state, it’s shaping up to be a relatively quiet summer.”

Berry Tramel with ideas: “Anthony Morrow: Career 42-percent 3-point shooter. Journeyman made $4 million last season but never has reached the playoffs. Francisco Garcia and Carlos Delfino: Each had their moments for the Rockets in the playoff series against OKC. Both figure to cost too much – Garcia made $6.1 million last season, Delfino $3 million – but both were decent shooters. Garcia .386 from 3-point range, Delfino .375.”