The Thunder shocked the world this season. This past off-season the Thunder made blockbuster trades that dealt Paul George to the Clippers and Russell Westbrook to the Rockets. Moving Jerami Grant to the Nuggets yielded another first round pick. This appeared to be a sign that they were going to go in a rebuild mode.
Admittedly, people were little quick to call this team a very bad one. In some regard, expectations seemed too low. Playoff team? Maybe not. Competitive as hell? Absolutely. Because even though they moved two stars, they netted a very talented rookie in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with established players in Chris Paul and Danilo Gallinari, those in addition to OKC veterans Steven Adams and Dennis Schroder.
What Does The Future Hold?
We know what happened. They made a very strong run after a rocky start. Made the postseason and were seconds away from eliminating the Rockets–the team that traded for Westbrook after an 11-year tenure with the team.
So what’s next? Chris Paul posted this video on Twitter following the elimination of the Thunder:
The trade speculation began the moment Chris Paul arrived in Oklahoma City. Now with two years remaining on his hefty contract, it seems like that may come to fruition this offseason. That’s just one thing though; that doesn’t necessarily mean that the Thunder are going into a rebuild.
Well with the recent news that Billy Donovan and Thunder mutually parted ways after five years, the speculation of a true rebuild is growing stronger; the main reason, according to Thunder GM Sam Presti, being that he could not provide Donovan a clear picture on the teams direction in the near future.
So Who Can Be On Their Way Out?
For all intents and purposes, Paul is likely on the way out of Oklahoma City . But where does that leave the rest of the Thunder’s veterans:
- Danilo Gallinari- Contract expired
- Andre Roberson- Contract expired
- Nerlens Noel- Contract expired
- Mike Muscala- Player option
- Steven Adams- 1 year left
- Dennis Schroder- 1 year left
Now there is a chance they don’t move anybody or let any one walk. However, no one on this list is a lock to be on the roster next year. Whether this team is competitive or not next year will solely rely on Sam Presti’s desire to be competitive.
Conclusion
There will be changes in Oklahoma City. Signs might point to a rebuild, but that isn’t necessarily a guarantee. Sam Presti is a crafty GM and is capable of shaping this team in any way he sees fit with the current assets the Thunder possess.
However, if this is a rebuild, the Thunder will not be out for long. As they have collected seven first-round picks and three more picks swaps. That is a lot of ammunition for Sam Presti, where he can anything that he wants going forward. They also have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is on path to be a future All-Star. In addition to having strong supporting pieces in Darius Bazley and Luguentz Dort.
This year really was a good bridge year for the team and its fanbase. Easing themselves into a new era of Thunder basketball. As a fan of the game I will always remember the 2019-20 Thunder as a team that was greater than the sum of its parts and a team that you couldn’t count out. I think I can speak for everyone when I say the future is bright for this franchise and I look forward for what they have in store for us in the coming years.