OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Disgruntled from their first round exit, OKC’s front office needed to find a solution to eliminate their stagnant production in the preceding season. The star trio perceived obstacles on both ends of the floor. Incorporation of three ball-dominant players entering the season entailed high-risk. With Billy Donovan unable to detect a system to utilize them effectively, they’d experienced a premature exit in the first round of the knockout phases.
Deep in the Luxury tax, the Thunder finally realized the necessity to relieve some cap and the aging Anthony seemed the ideal piece. They’d executed a three team trade involving the Atlanta Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers, with Dennis Schroder and Carmelo Anthony being the pivotal trade assets. Possessing deficiencies on the defensive end, the young German point guard offers quickness and versatility on the offensive end. Favorite to come off the bench, he would issue minutes alongside Russell Westbrook in their small ball lineup.
While the re-capture of Paul George appealed to the average NBA fan, bringing back young forward Jerami Grant meant they could expect high energy plays from the get go. The recovery of Andre Roberson from a season long injury dispenses them with the defensive prospect they’d been craving last season. With the right balance on either end of the floor accompanied by a strong starting 5 and a first-rate reserve lineup, they could be labelled as a heavyweight playoff contender.
PROBABLE STARTING 5: Russell Westbrook; Andre Roberson; Paul George; Jeremi Grant; Steven Adams
PLAYOFF LIKELIHOOD: 8/10