Oklahoma City Thunder

Roster (14, 1 spot open)

Chris Paul PG

Steve Adams C

Danilo Galinari SF

Dennis Shroeder PG

Andre Roberson SG

Patrick Patterson PF

Shai Gilgeous Alexander SG

Terrance Ferguson SG

Darius Bazley SF

Mike Muscala PF

Nerlens Noel C

Abdel Nader SF

Deonte Burton SF

Hamidou Diallo SG

Two Way

Jawun Evans PG

Donte Grantham PF

Starting 5

Chris Paul PG

Shai Gilgeous Alexander SG

Danilo Galinari SF

Patrick Patterson PF

Steve Adams C

Outgoing Players (5)

Paul George SF (Trade, LAC)

Russell Westbrook PG (Trade, HOU)

Jerami Grant (Trade, DEN)

Raymond Felton (FA)

Markieff Morris (FA, DET)

Incoming Players (5)

Chris Paul PG (Trade, HOU)

Danilo Galinari F (Trade, LAC)

Shai Gilgeous Alexander

Darius Bazley SF (Trade, MEM via UTA 23rd pick 2019 NBA Draft)

Mike Muscala PF/C (FA, LAL)

2018-19 NBA Final Regular Season Standing: 6th Western Conference (49-33)

2019-20 Projected Regular Season Standing: 12th Western Conference (36-46)

The Oklahoma City Thunder made the playoffs last postseason, but were eliminated for the 3rd season in a row in the first round, this time by the Portland Trail Blazers. If the goodby wave from Damian Lillard, after he hit a 37 footer over Paul George to close out the series wasn’t enough for Thunder fans, the summer was. General Manager Sam Presti was forced to trade Paul George to Clippers after the Thunder Star demanded it, so he could play to Kawhi Leonard. Presti could have said no, could have kept the same team going into next season. But, he saw what everyone else did. The results would probably be the same.

With George gone, the writing was on the wall for Russell Westbrook leaving behind him. And, it didn’t taken long to come to fruition, though I am left scratching my head to as to why Presti took on the behemoth contract of Chris Paul from Houston in return. I suppose the Thunder could have traded Westbrook somewhere else, but their GM seems to like to placate players. So, they sent Westbrook to the Rockets for a reunion with pal James Harden.

In the Clippers trade, OKC took back Danilo Galinari, Shai Gilgeous Alexander, and a lot of picks. Galinari is already talking about leaving after the upcoming season to join a contender. Maybe that means he will give his best this season with the Thunder to look good for suitors. The Thunder have  a talented starting lineup even after the smoke has cleared. Not nearly as good as last years, but the Thunder could do better than expected, though in a deep west 36 wins might even be generous. The Thunder are trying to trade Paul to add to their treasure trove of picks and sate him. They can’t buy him out with all the millions he is owed and he is not about to give any of that money up, not with his aging body.

If OKC trades Paul, they will be even worse off than they are now. At least fans can be left to wonder as it is, that maybe they can still have an ok season. Maybe. The Thunder will miss the playoffs this season and continue their rebuild. Will Presti continue with them or will he be shown the door?