Oklahoma City Thunder
Boy, wouldn’t this be interesting? Let’s have some fun for a moment. Imagine Dwyane Wade as the Lightning to Russell Westbrook’s Thunder. If the whole rest of the world thinks Westbrook just needs some help to truly compete in the West, give him some help in the form of a hall of fame caliber two-guard.
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This would likely mean the departure of Victor Oladipo via some sort of trade, as he will still be under contract beyond next season. However, if GM Sam Presti can trade Oladipo for a competent forward, this team could once again become a titan of the imposing Western Conference.
Maybe someone like Danilo Gallinari or Tobias Harris becomes available for a package including Oladipo. Slide Taj Gibson in at the four and the lineup would consist of Westbrook, Wade, Gallinari/Harris, Gibson and Steven Adams. Enes Kanter would come off the bench to spell Adams as he did last year. That lineup may not be the best in the loaded west, but it would certainly elevate the Thunder beyond their sixth seed finish in 2016-17.
Obviously, this entire scenario would hinge on the location of a trade partner for Oladipo. While the former Indiana guard is quite the NBA player, he just didn’t fit as well as anticipated next to Westbrook. If everything goes according to plan, this scenario could become a shocking reality. Pairing one of the best players in the league with a first-ballot hall of famer that still has some left in the tank is a scary thought.