Oklahoma City Thunder
For as great of a story that the Oklahoma City Thunder were during the 2019-20 NBA season, in which they fell one game short of shocking the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs, it’s safe to assume that the team will take a step back in 2020-21.
After trading Dennis Schroder, Chris Paul, and Steven Adams, the Thunder will be handing the keys to the team to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the young players on this roster. It’s difficult to see this team being a playoff team in an improved Western Conference.
The New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns will all be better in the Western Conference this season. That could end up leaving a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder out of the top 8.
The Oklahoma City Thunder has a bright future, but sometimes teams have to take a step back to take two steps forward. That could very well be the case for the Thunder this season.