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NBA: Power Ranking Every Team’s Starting Frontcourt Entering 2016-17

By Tony Webb

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 22, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) congratulates Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) after a play against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) congratulates Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) after a play against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Oklahoma City Thunder

Projected Starting Frontcourt: Ersan Ilysova/ Kyle Singler, Enes Kanter, Steven Adams

The loss of Kevin Durant is obvious. Losing a former NBA MVP drops you pretty far down the rankings. The loss of Serge Ibaka is more significant than people might believe. The trio of Durant, Ibaka and Adams strived together and made it very difficult of the Warriors before falling in seven games.

The new look frontcourt will take some time and patience for fans. Ilysova or Singler are clearly not Durant, but they can shoot so there’s that. The interesting duo of Kanter and Adams playing together will be quite the experiment. Kanter has fantastic offensive ability and should capitalize on his 12.6 PPG from a season ago.

His defense is atrocious and at times was such a liability that his production on the offensive end wasn’t worth what he provided on the opposite end. Adams is developing offensively and is a versatile defender who can expand out to the three-point line. This new look Thunder frontcourt will be a work in progress, but can get the job done.

Next: No. 18