Wednesday Bolts – 6.3.15

Dan Feldman of PBT on Monty Williams: “He did a solid job with the Pelicans, who fired him this offseason. I don’t begrudge New Orleans for trying to upgrade, but Williams proved he belonged in a prominent coaching role. Is that as a head coach or lead assistant? Right now, Williams’ stock lands somewhere between. If the Thunder do well next year – and any team with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka should – expect Williams to get head-coaching interviews after next season. Just like Alvin Gentry, who eased Steve Kerr’s adjustment with the Warriors. This is a good hire by Oklahoma City and a good destination for Williams. It’s a win-win.”

Chad Ford has OKC taking Kelly Oubre at 14: “The Thunder are very high on Payne — to the point that several rival GMs believe they’ve promised Payne they’ll take him at No. 14 if he’s there. If Payne is gone, I’m not sure there’s another point guard who makes sense for them. Jerian Grant and Delon Wright are both big guards with plenty of experience. Wright especially tests well analytically, and I hear the Thunder are fans. Tyus Jones is another option, though he’s small for his position. They also could try to do a long-term upgrade at the wing. They have plenty of mediocre options already — Dion Waiters, Anthony Morrow, Andre Roberson, Jeremy Lamb — but none of them thrills them in the long run. Oubre has all the physical tools to be a star on both ends of the court. Patience and putting Oubre in the right culture will be the key. OKC could be great for his development in the long run.”

Some thoughts on the Thunder’s current draft situation.

Kevin Pelton of ESPN Insider: “Donovan’s style also could be a departure for the Thunder, who have played at a moderately fast pace under Scott Brooks. This season’s Memphis Grizzlies are probably the closest match to how the Gators executed at both ends in half-court settings, but as the league moves toward playing faster, there’s nobody who has been as balanced at both ends at a snail’s pace as Donovan’s teams. There’s a history of Donovan playing a very different, more aggressive style, and he might want to rediscover that to get the most out of stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.”

Cool jersey graphic where the Thunder already have claimed two all-time numbers.

Arash Markazi of ESPN.com with a fake trade: “This is perhaps the NBA’s most talked-about hypothetical trade. If Oklahoma City feels that Durant is likely to leave in free agency after next season, there’s no better replacement than bringing home Griffin, who was born and raised in Oklahoma and played college ball at the state university. Almost as important as Griffin’s hometown ties is that he is 26, just entering his prime and is signed through the 2017-18 season.”

Monty is moving down. And up. It’s weird.

Darnell Mayberry: “On the court, Williams has a knack for player development. He helped turn Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis into one of the league’s best players. But it was Williams’ ability to turn journeymen and castoffs such as Jason Smith, Gustavo Ayon, Luke Babbitt, Al-Farouq Aminu, Greivis Vasquez and Robin Lopez into serviceable if not solid rotation players that stands out most during his time in New Orleans. Williams also garnered heaps of praise while with the Pelicans for his ability to draw up sharp plays out of timeouts and keep defenses guessing with creative sets. His rotations, in-game management and team defense were question marks throughout much of his time in New Orleans.”

Kevin Durant last October on Monty Williams: “Monty Williams has been a big influence as well, just coming from the same area I come from, knowing his background and knowing his story … to know him from afar, just knowing that he put in so much work to become a head coach, just being around him for a week with USA basketball and knowing how great he is with the guys. He is a phenomenal leader, so he inspires me a lot because he’s from the area I grew up in and the route he took to making it in the NBA and being a coach and being just a great leader.”

Kelly Oubre: “I’m not a slouch. I’m gonna be one of the greatest to ever play the game.”