TRANSCRIPT OF NEW OKC GM'S PRESS CONFERENCE, 29/07/25 18:54AEST
"Good evening, all, and thanks for coming. Obviously, as is the case, rumours of a trade involving Steph have been circulating since I took over as GM last week. Finding ways to stay relevant long term was always going to be one of the highest priorities for myself and this team, and it was clear that Steph, unfortunately, was key to that. As one of the best players in the league, I wanted to make it very clear that Steph has been involved in the process and his desire to compete for championships now was a major factor in us looking to Shams and the Cavs.
As with trades of this magnitude, it’s rarely one piece that goes out. To Alex (Caruso), you’ve been more than just a player and your leadership and dedication to this organisation has been admired and will surely be missed. Jaden’s (Hardy) time has been productive and I’m sure we will watch you continue to develop and thrive over there in Cleveland.
I certainly won’t speak on behalf of Shams and the Cavs, but this was a process. The machinations of this trade were not singular, and though various obstacles continually stood in the way of this trade’s potential, we found a way for both teams to pursue the direction their franchises need and want to take.
Now without further ado, I think you’ll agree that the four players who will be joining us hardly need an introduction.
De’aaron Fox, averaged 30.4ppg in 2024 and has elite upside heading in both directions. While he excels at scoring and attacking the basket, he also demonstrates strong playmaking skills and can create opportunities for his teammates. He has shown the ability to both score efficiently and facilitate the offense. Paired with Ant (Edwards), we can’t wait to see what headaches they can create.
Anfernee Simons, too, adds another layer of scoring potential and also adds depth in our young lineup. Averaging 20.7ppg in 2024, his pick and roll skills and dynamic scoring make him a valuable addition for this organisation.
Deni Avdija is a versatile, two-way player known for his strong rebounding, passing, and hustle. He's a modern forward who excels as a slasher, rebounder, and secondary playmaker, capable of scoring efficiently around the rim and improving as a catch-and-shoot threat. We saw Deni as a priority, not only as a positional contributor, but his undervalued contract is one of the best in the league.
Terrance Shannon is the project of this deal, but all we see is upside. He will have the chance to develop with this organisation and given his impressive output in limited minutes to date, we look forward to his contributions both on the court and off.
With our heads once again below the aprons, we saw this trade as an essential way of securing this teams future. Whilst no trade is perfect, we feel confident that this is just the start in the long road to bringing a title, if not titles to OKC.
Thank you."
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