2016-17 NBA Season Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder
Welcome to theScore's 2016-17 NBA preview, where you'll find comprehensive coverage of all 30 teams and storylines to watch this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
2015-16
| Record | Northwest | West | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-27 | 1st | 3rd | Lost WCF |
Offseason Roundup
| Additions | Departures |
|---|---|
| Victor Oladipo (acquired from ORL) | Kevin Durant (GSW) |
| Ersan Ilyasova (acquired from ORL) | Serge Ibaka (traded to ORL) |
| Domantas Sabonis (acquired from ORL) | Dion Waiters (MIA) |
| Joffrey Lauvergne (acquired from DEN) | Randy Foye (BKN) |
| Ronnie Price (2/$5M) | Nazr Mohammed (UFA) |
| Daniel Hamilton (acquired from DEN) |
- Renegotiated Russell Westbrook's contract (3 years/$85M)
Projected Starting 5
- PG Russell Westbrook
- SG Victor Oladipo
- SF Kyle Singler
- PF Ersan Ilyasova
- C Steven Adams
Related: Westbrook will be on fire, but MVP no sure thing
Player to watch
I hate to use this terminology, but "duh."
The narrative around Westbrook's aggressive style is in overdrive entering 2016-17. Jilted by his longtime teammate Kevin Durant for Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors - a group that Westbrook has never appeared to have any love for - many are already penciling him in as scoring champ (good bet) and even MVP (a little tougher).
For quick reference, consider what Westbrook did in 2014-15 when Durant missed 55 games with foot injuries: Eleven triple-doubles, including six in eight games. One 50-point, eight 40-point, and eight more 35-plus-point outings, all contributing to his first NBA scoring title and a near-30 player efficiency rating.
In addition to being the No. 1 pick in most fantasy drafts, Westbrook figures to be a human highlight machine this season. While most of the league's interest will be focused on Durant and the Warriors, because he knows it, a second eye shouldn't be kept too far off Russ and OKC.
Season Expectations
In truth, the Thunder will go as far as Westbrook can carry them. They're not going to win an NBA championship this season, but the playoffs will happen. In 2015, the Thunder came up short with 45 wins, but that Western Conference was deeper and this OKC squad is better positioned. The 2017 Thunder should battle the Utah Jazz for Northwest Division supremacy.
General manager Sam Presti probably did the best job he could in mitigating the loss of Durant - renegotiating Westbrook's contract and trading away a declining Serge Ibaka for another dynamic young guard in Victor Oladipo.
They sadly remain a little thin at the 3-spot Durant vacated, but the bigs they added - Ersan Ilyasova and Joffrey Lauvergne - are capable contributors, and in the frontcourt they'll join Steven Adams, a player who could be on the verge of a jump to an All-Star level, as well as Enes Kanter.