In Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel wrote the “clock is ticking on the Thunder,” with the team having five first-round draft picks in the next 14 months, including four in 2024. But “no way can the Thunder draft four first-rounders in 2024.” Thunder GM Sam Presti "long has told us that shortcuts almost always mean cutting short your chances at success.” Another reason to wait is “cap space.” If the Thunder can “save a little money on the payroll now, that will help later, just like a decade ago,” when the Thunder’s ownership group “socked away a pile of cash and used it to pay the exorbitant bill when the Thunder was paying Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony and the NBA’s highest payroll” (OKLAHOMAN, 4/24).
MAKING MOVES? In Dallas, Kevin Sherrington wrote “from the outside looking in, the lines of demarcation in the Mavs’ storefront have never been clear” under owner Mark Cuban. The Mavericks are “reportedly close to hiring” former Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey to be “the experienced sounding-board voice” GM Nico Harrison “has wanted since last summer.” While hiring Lindsey “may be a good basketball move,” this move “doesn’t speak well" of Harrison, Cuban or VP/Basketball Operations Michael Finley (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/24).
