NBA: The potential long-term impact of the 2018 Western Conference playoff race
Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 38-29 (7th)
The fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder are in this position at this point in the season is incredibly disappointing. The Thunder have been a different team ever since Andre Roberson went down with a ruptured patellar tendon. OKC’s identity was their defense and they have really struggled on that end without Roberson, their best defender.
If OKC somehow manages to miss the playoffs the franchise will be in big trouble. That would almost certainly signal the departure of Paul George and it would leave the Thunder with an expensive team that is going nowhere and a lack of options to improve their situation.
Despite stealing the offseason this past summer, the Thunder face a murky future.