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The Oklahoma City Thunder have had a busy offseason this summer, but not in a way you'd expect. The Thunder have parted ways with their two best players and acquired numerous draft picks. They put themselves in an interesting position and seem like they are in rebuild mode. If so, it could be a rough season for the Thunder.
The Thunder started their offseason with a few small moves. They re-signed forward/center Nerlens Noel to a one-year, $2 million deal and brought in other players. The Thunder also brought in Darius Bazley through a draft-night trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. Then, they signed Luguentz Dort to a two-way deal and signed Mike Muscala to a two-year, $4.3 million deal. They also agreed to a deal with Alec Burks but allowed him to rethink his decision. He moved on from the Thunder and signed with the Golden State Warriors.
Oklahoma City made those moves before making their most significant moves of the summer. After these moves, the Thunder were a part of one of the biggest and most unexpected moves of the offseason. They traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers.
After meeting with teams and pondering his decision, unrestricted free agent Kawhi Leonard made his decision. Leonard decided to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. The move came as a surprise, but there was more to the situation. Leonard brought Paul George with him.
The Thunder and Clippers agreed to a deal that sent George to LA and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and five first-round draft picks to the Thunder. George was the Thunder's first option on offense. He had an MVP caliber season after averaging a career-high 28 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.2 steals. When they traded George, it left Russell Westbrook as the Thunder's go-to player. Then, they traded him.
The season could be a difficult one for the Thunder. Or, they will exceed their expectations and prove the rest of the league wrong. Here are three reasons why the OKC Thunder can make the playoffs this season.
#3 They have Chris Paul
After trading Paul George, Russell Westbrook was not too far behind. The Thunder traded Westbrook to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Chris Paul and draft picks. The trade happened after various reports of tension between Paul and his teammate James Harden.
The Paul/Westbrook trade is potentially a good move for both sides. The Rockets gain a player (and a former teammate of The Beard) to pair alongside Harden and the Thunder gain a skilled veteran. Harden and Westbrook were solid during their time together in Oklahoma City and have a chance to be one of the best duos of the Western Conference (and the league). On the flipside, Paul has a chance to lead a young team.
A team like the Thunder could benefit from Paul. While his stats have gone down, he is still a high IQ point guard. If he can score, get his teammates involved, and stay healthy, he will be a valuable player for the Thunder.
#2 The state of the Western Conference
In the past few years, the Western Conference has been a competitive conference. When compared to the Eastern Conference, the West is arguably a stronger conference. This year should be no exception.
Next season, the Western Conference will feature teams such as the LeBron James and Anthony Davis-led Lakers as well as the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George-led Clippers. The West also features the much improved Utah Jazz, the Rockets, and teams such as the Blazers, Nuggets, and Warriors. The Western Conference will be stacked this year, but the OKC Thunder have a chance to sneak into the playoffs. It all depends on the performance of certain Western Conference teams.
Oklahoma City will have their hands full with the Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, Utah, and the Warriors but after those teams, the Western Conference is open. The Thunder can compete with teams such as the Phoenix Suns, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Sacramento Kings. There is also a chance they will be better than the Dallas Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The three teams that OKC needs to be really worried about are Portland, Denver, and San Antonio. If the Thunder can compete with these franchises, they have a good chance,
If the Thunder do make the playoffs, it will likely be with the seventh or eighth seed. If the Thunder choose to compete (rather than tanking), they have a shot at becoming one of these seeds. The first few seeds of the Western Conference will go to the Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, etc. but there is a slight chance that a lower seed goes to the Thunder.
#1 The addition of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari
While the Thunder lost two great players, they gained a few good pieces. They acquired Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari in their deal with the Clippers. So, they have two players that can help them compete this season.
Last season, Gallinari averaged a career-high 19.8 points and 6.1 rebounds. He also averaged 19.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals during the playoffs. The veteran forward played two seasons with the Clippers, after he was involved in a three-team trade. The Nuggets sent him to the Clippers, while other pieces went to the Nuggets or the Hawks.
Gallinari is 30 years old and has a year left on his contract. He becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2020 and can go to any team he chooses. If things do not work out in Oklahoma City, Gallinari can move on or remain with the Thunder as they rebuild. If he decides to leave, the Thunder at least have him for a season as they make a playoff push. So, the addition of Gallinari benefits them and gives them a player to rely on.
Gilgeous-Alexander is entering the second year of his NBA career. He was the 11th pick of the 2018 draft when the Charlotte Hornets selected him. The Hornets traded him to the Clippers in exchange for Miles Bridges.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 10.8 points and 3.3 assists last season. He showed glimpses of being a talented point guard, especially during the Clippers' playoff run. He averaged 13.7 points and 3.2 assists in the playoffs as the Clippers lost a six-game series to the Warriors. The Thunder gained a young player with great potential when they received Gilgeous-Alexander. He could be a building block for the Thunder as well.
At the moment, the Thunder have a mix of veterans and young players. They have Steven Adams, Chris Paul, Gallinari. Then, they have players such as Gilgeous-Alexander and Darius Bazley. They also have a ton of future draft picks.
With their veterans and young players, the Thunder have a chance at a playoff run. If not, they have draft picks and youth to build their future. Either way, they are in a good position.
Guess the Lakers players!
