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Oklahoma City Thunder: Where the franchise stands heading into the 2018 offseason

By Brandon Osborne

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of their NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of their NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on February 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Analyzing the state of the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise heading into the 2018 NBA offseason

Coming into the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder had high expectations and were looked at as a team that could possibly give the Warriors some trouble come playoff time.

The Thunder struggled at the beginning as Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony needed time to adjust their games to fit with one another. Just as it appeared that Oklahoma City was finding a groove they would lose Andre Roberson for the season with a ruptured left patellar tendon.

Once he was lost for the season the Thunder defense took a significant step backwards.

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Even though the team as a whole struggled to establish itself as a legitimate title contender, Oklahoma City did manage to go 48-34 overall which was good enough for a tie for fourth in the Western Conference. Thanks to the tie-breaker the Thunder received the fourth seed and a matchup with the Utah Jazz in the first round.

After going up 1-0 on the Jazz, the Thunder would lose the next three games in the series. Just when it seemed the Thunder were going to be on the wrong end of a gentleman’s sweep Russell Westbrook would go off scoring 45 points to go with 15 rebounds and extend the series to a sixth game. Unfortunately for the Thunder they would lose game six 96-91 and the series 4-2. Westbrook went for 46 points in the game six loss and averaged 29.3 PPG in the series.

Numbers:

Record: 48-34

Off Rtg: 110.7

Def Rtg: 107.2

Pace: 96.7

EFG%: .514

Net Rtg: 2.5

Starting 5:

Russell Westbrook: 25.4 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 10.3 APG

Andre Roberson: 5.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.2 APG

Paul George: 21.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.3 APG

Carmelo Anthony: 16.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.3 APG

Steven Adams: 13.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.2 APG

Lineup record: 19-12

Draft picks and free agency outlook:

The Thunder enter the offseason with very little to look forward to. The team only has two draft picks as they both come at the end of the second round, picks 53 and 57. As for free agency the Thunder have no money to sign any marquee free agents and the team has to hope that its own major free agent, Paul George, decides to return. Should George leave then the Thunder lose a great player and have no means of finding his replacement.

Burning question: What will Paul George do in free agency?

If George decides to return then the Thunder can hope that the team improves with better chemistry but should he leave then OKC will have a huge hole to fill. George is one of the games best players and the Thunder knew when they traded for him that he could leave after one season. His decision could have massive ramifications for the entire organization.

Must Read: NBA Rumors: Could the Suns use the top pick to trade for Karl-Anthony Towns?

Outlook:

If the Thunder get George to resign with the team then they should have a team that’s capable of a top four finish in the West. However, if George does leave in free agency then the Thunder will have a tough time making the playoffs again with Westbrook needing to rely on Carmelo Anthony more. Anthony had a disaster of a season and have already said he’s opting-in to his contract.

If OKC doesn’t move him to the bench it’ll be hard to see this team with or without George going far in the playoffs. With George OKC is tending steady but without him they are trending down.

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