NBA: Grading would-be playoff teams in the Western Conference

5. Oklahoma City Thunder (40-24)

Grade: A

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the best surprises of the NBA season. Exceeding almost everyone’s expectations, they are currently sitting as the 5th seed in the Western Conference. Chris Paul is relishing in his role as the veteran mentor to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Both players are performing at a high level and the dynamic between the two guards is working fine. This is shocking because of the notion that Chris Paul was supposed to be bought out and sign with another team.

When the trade between the Rockets and Thunder took place, almost everyone said OKC was now going to stink it up for a few years and go into a full rebuild. Here they are, approaching the end of the season and have the same record as one of the teams they traded with, who have championship aspirations.

The trade with the Clippers gifted them Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari, along with a handful of draft picks. The dynamic between Russell Westbrook and Paul George ran its course and Oklahoma City did a masterful job getting what they did in return for two stars.