Thunderstruck: Aldrich and Peterson
The Oklahoma City Thunder was lightning quick in acquiring the draft rights to centre Cole Aldrich and Morris Peterson's contract from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for the 21st and 26th picks.
The Thunder badly needed a centre to strengthen their frontline, and has since thrown their name into the lottery since acquiring the 18th pick from the Miami Heat midway through the week.
The Peterson trade doesn’t exactly burn the Hornets, as it allows them to remove Peterson’s hefty $6.6 million salary from their payroll and move a notch below the luxury tax while also giving them a couple of picks to build on.
In Aldrich, the Thunder will get a “blue collar” approach to defense, with the former Hornets workhorse leading the pack.
During his junior year at Kansas, Aldrich put in an average of 11.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game. In the 2010 NBA draft, Aldrich was selected 11th overall.
Now Oklahoma may have given up a pair of first-round picks, but they got a solid veteran forward in Mo Peterson. The 6-foot-7 Peterson, who is currently slated for his 10th NBA season, has put in 10.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Peterson has figured in 707 games with the Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Hornets.
Aldrich looks to make some noise in the Thunder roster as he enters the mix with starter Nenad Kristic and reserve Serge Ibaka, who received extra minutes down the stretch and made a difference in the team’s defense during the playoffs.
Prior to his signing with the Thunder, Aldrich said: “I think whatever team it is, if I stay in New Orleans or if I go to Oklahoma City, the need for a big man is great. I’m not going to try to go in and do spectacular things, only the things I’m good at.”
“I’m good at rebounding and defending and blocking shots and that’s how I’m going to make my presence on the court early is doing those things. I’m definitely working hard on my offensive game, too,” added Aldrich.
Despite the team’s lack of a big-name big man, the Thunder has led the NBA in blocked shots and ranked third in the league in rebounding last season. Thanks to Kevin Durant, the youngest player ever to lead the NBA in scoring, played the pivotal role beautifully and answered the team’s biggest needs last season.
Asked about Aldrich, Durant said: I think he’s going to be a game-changer for us, and I’m very excited to add him to our team. I’m looking forward to next season.”
The recent move of the Thunder does not come as a surprise, given the team’s showing against the Lakers during the last playoffs. Despite putting a scare into the eventual champs, the Lakers held on using their noticeable size advantage led by Gasol and Bynum. And the size difference essentially became key during the final game of the Thunder vs. The Lakers, when a putback by Gasol in the final second virtually silenced the Thunder.
Team executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti addressed the Thunder’s new acquisitions today-- and though Presti wasn’t allowed to talk about the Aldrich acquisition until July 8 under NBA rules, the rumblings clearly state that the Thunder is all about adding size: “We felt like being able to add some physicality in the draft and some other areas would help us. It’s certainly not going to complete the puzzle for us or make us a perfect entity,” said Presti.
“It’s not going to happen with a silver bullet. We’re going to have to keep chipping away each step of the way.”
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