Off-Season Interviews: Loren
Oct 19, 2022 12:34:10 GMT -5
Oklahoma City Thunder (Loren) and Denver Nuggets (Kevin) like this
Post by The Athletic on Oct 19, 2022 12:34:10 GMT -5
I feel like you're one of the more hard to read GMs in the whole league bro. What are your thoughts and feelings on the back of a 6th seed and what are your goals for this year?
Loren: Ahhhh, saving the best for last. I'd say my thoughts/feelings on last season would boil down to satisfied and hungry. Look, the expectations weren't high, but I'd say that I met/exceeded most people's expectations for my team; but most importantly, I was happy with my team and what I was able to do with it. My goal for this year is simple: bring a championship to OKC. I love my team, my guys, my contracts, and I'm going to do all that I can to win with this group.
The big trade of the off season was Jrue, Nurk, and Jae for Joel. What was the though process behind this deal and whare are you hoping for from Joel this year?
Loren: The thought process behind the deal simply came down to: what did I give up for Jrue/Jae and would I have added those pieces to Nurk to get Joel? The answer was yes, so why not? My goal with all my minor deals like swinging guys for 2nds and vice versa, just constantly flipping to get more, was to find the right group of assets to find myself a star. I found myself my star in Joel. his "bad games" get you 30+, and he has the chance to drop 70+ on any given night. My hope for Joel this year is for him to be a top 5 guy and be healthy all season. Obviously there's some injury concern, but there's also injury concern with what I gave up. With the Blazers adding some pieces, I saw Nurk's usage going down. Jrue aging a bit, and Jae was in a perfect role last year. It was a lot of production to give, but you can't win a championship without a true star and I've gone ahead and added that in Joel.
You decided at the buzzer to make a move and match Huerter. What gives you the confidence he's worthy of a decently large price tag?
Loren: Red Velvet. Man, this kid is just a hooper. He's got such a great feel for the game, he's still only 24yo, and he's on a Kings team where he's going to get a ton of minutes and good usage. The move to sign him was minor (although I with my Zag bro the best of luck in the NBA), and I really just didn't want him to walk for free (see Bagley/Franz deal). There's so much room to grow, to play into that contract, and to be a real contributor on a championship team. I think all of that combined gave me the confidence to match, even if it is toeing the line of an overpay of a contract.
Gotta talk through the Kuz for IQ/Herb deal. I thought Herb was a OKC lifer!! What changed?
Loren: Mannnn I'm not going to lie here, this one will be the one I regret if this championship run doesn't work out. Herb is arguably the best draft pick that's ever been made in this league, and it was so tough to give him up. But, I made the deal I did and I have to live with it. Talking through it, I was in a spot where I felt that I needed to consolidate assets. There was the UFA & Draft buzz going on, and quite frankly Kev did a good job of taking advantage of me absolutely fiending for a deal. But, I felt like I did well getting that Kuz contract paid down this year and next year, making his contract so much more movable if I need to move him. I can pay on him next year too, and with how well this league's scoring is suited for his game, he's an extremely valuable asset to have. Locked up long-term, so goddamn cheap this year and even next year, and he's a great package piece along with some other guys on my roster if I get unlucky and things go south this year. Again, tough to let my boy Herb go out like that but I love Kuz and what he can bring to this squad. IQ is so meh.
Who do you want to highlight as someone you really like but doesn't get much spotlight?
Loren: Dude I really think this comes down to everyone on my roster outside of Joel & Book. They're all that gets talked about, but everyone else is cheap as fuck, scores 20+ or near 20, and can contribute on a nightly basis. If I had to highlight one person, I think Gafford has a real big chance to shine this year.
What is your dream run of GM's to beat on your way to a title?
Loren:
Round 1: Kev. I'd just love for him to hype up the squad, somehow make the playoffs, and then just crush his dreams. His team is so fucking bad though there's no chance he's in the playoffs.
Round 2: Salami. Gotta beat the best to be the best. I think R2 would be a good time to get rid of his squad.
Round 3: Tyler. Nothing personal, but I'll always be sour I didn't get Jok or Dame so it'd be reassuring if I can take him down.
Round 4: Sarge. Oh man, this blonde tomato head would be a pleasure to beat and just shove it down his throat every single day for the rest of his life.
Honorable Mentions: Chuck (still owes me a phone call), Dave (RIP), TJ (RIP 2.0)
Loren: Ahhhh, saving the best for last. I'd say my thoughts/feelings on last season would boil down to satisfied and hungry. Look, the expectations weren't high, but I'd say that I met/exceeded most people's expectations for my team; but most importantly, I was happy with my team and what I was able to do with it. My goal for this year is simple: bring a championship to OKC. I love my team, my guys, my contracts, and I'm going to do all that I can to win with this group.
The big trade of the off season was Jrue, Nurk, and Jae for Joel. What was the though process behind this deal and whare are you hoping for from Joel this year?
Loren: The thought process behind the deal simply came down to: what did I give up for Jrue/Jae and would I have added those pieces to Nurk to get Joel? The answer was yes, so why not? My goal with all my minor deals like swinging guys for 2nds and vice versa, just constantly flipping to get more, was to find the right group of assets to find myself a star. I found myself my star in Joel. his "bad games" get you 30+, and he has the chance to drop 70+ on any given night. My hope for Joel this year is for him to be a top 5 guy and be healthy all season. Obviously there's some injury concern, but there's also injury concern with what I gave up. With the Blazers adding some pieces, I saw Nurk's usage going down. Jrue aging a bit, and Jae was in a perfect role last year. It was a lot of production to give, but you can't win a championship without a true star and I've gone ahead and added that in Joel.
You decided at the buzzer to make a move and match Huerter. What gives you the confidence he's worthy of a decently large price tag?
Loren: Red Velvet. Man, this kid is just a hooper. He's got such a great feel for the game, he's still only 24yo, and he's on a Kings team where he's going to get a ton of minutes and good usage. The move to sign him was minor (although I with my Zag bro the best of luck in the NBA), and I really just didn't want him to walk for free (see Bagley/Franz deal). There's so much room to grow, to play into that contract, and to be a real contributor on a championship team. I think all of that combined gave me the confidence to match, even if it is toeing the line of an overpay of a contract.
Gotta talk through the Kuz for IQ/Herb deal. I thought Herb was a OKC lifer!! What changed?
Loren: Mannnn I'm not going to lie here, this one will be the one I regret if this championship run doesn't work out. Herb is arguably the best draft pick that's ever been made in this league, and it was so tough to give him up. But, I made the deal I did and I have to live with it. Talking through it, I was in a spot where I felt that I needed to consolidate assets. There was the UFA & Draft buzz going on, and quite frankly Kev did a good job of taking advantage of me absolutely fiending for a deal. But, I felt like I did well getting that Kuz contract paid down this year and next year, making his contract so much more movable if I need to move him. I can pay on him next year too, and with how well this league's scoring is suited for his game, he's an extremely valuable asset to have. Locked up long-term, so goddamn cheap this year and even next year, and he's a great package piece along with some other guys on my roster if I get unlucky and things go south this year. Again, tough to let my boy Herb go out like that but I love Kuz and what he can bring to this squad. IQ is so meh.
Who do you want to highlight as someone you really like but doesn't get much spotlight?
Loren: Dude I really think this comes down to everyone on my roster outside of Joel & Book. They're all that gets talked about, but everyone else is cheap as fuck, scores 20+ or near 20, and can contribute on a nightly basis. If I had to highlight one person, I think Gafford has a real big chance to shine this year.
What is your dream run of GM's to beat on your way to a title?
Loren:
Round 1: Kev. I'd just love for him to hype up the squad, somehow make the playoffs, and then just crush his dreams. His team is so fucking bad though there's no chance he's in the playoffs.
Round 2: Salami. Gotta beat the best to be the best. I think R2 would be a good time to get rid of his squad.
Round 3: Tyler. Nothing personal, but I'll always be sour I didn't get Jok or Dame so it'd be reassuring if I can take him down.
Round 4: Sarge. Oh man, this blonde tomato head would be a pleasure to beat and just shove it down his throat every single day for the rest of his life.
Honorable Mentions: Chuck (still owes me a phone call), Dave (RIP), TJ (RIP 2.0)
