What Now For Oklahoma City Thunder? 

We said the same thing about the Kings last year, ATL a few years ago, Port a few years before that. It’s easy when nobody sees you coming. It’s another when you have expectations.

Since the other comments are from other fanbases, maybe i can shed some light on what the thunder have been pushing out through the local media. 1. We all want to improve on Giddey but finding the right balance of value/fit is rough. For this reason he could be carried into the season. But if so may still be traded in season. 2. You're barking up the wrong tree in terms of your targets. A.While they will pursue some veteran help, stars who are often injured(pg) or who don't space the floor for sga(derozen) are unlikely targets for both value and fit reasons. B. They won't go after a high caliber starting center. Their philosphy is to play 5 out and the centers who can do thay half as well chet while doing the big man stuff wont be available (maybe brooke lopez but doubtful). Also they won consistently(by the numbers) when chet was on the floor even including the dallas series. 3. This means the thunder media and fanbase are looking for three possible players/fits that they think okc will target. 1 . Most important things-backup big/bench size. Jwill(the big off the bench) didnt fair well in the playoffs and was inconsistent in the season. Biggets upgrade would be not hemorrhaging points during non chet/non shai lineups. 2. Bench scoring/creation. The fanbase has targeted young scorers who can shoot and create to possibly replace one of our current guards/wings. Someone like collin sexton(may not be available) comes to mind. 3. Finally the big wing to complete our starting 5. I put last because its the hardest to find and least likely to happen. They need/want a big wing to replace giddey not a center. So someone who has size, shooting and defense while being at least as good on the boards(could argue his inability to play in dallas really contributes to rebounding woes as he may is probably the best non center rebounder on the team. Finding all of that in a player is so tough. It's basically a border line all star role player if they do it all. Tldr: we wont go after starting centers and old stars. Look at big upgrades for backup big, bench scoring and elite role player big wings.

With all things being equal, they're going to be a nightmare for the rest of the league. They are ahead of schedule, in my view.

OKC did better than I thought they would. From the start I've always believed they were one player away from dynasty. Add: We all know you have to loose before you start winning chips.

back to reality for OKC