Oklahoma City Thunder
Heading into next season, you can make the case that the Oklahoma City Thunder are going to be one of the teams under the spotlight. While they may not be viewed as a pre-season contender, they are largely going to be expected to take another step forward and be in the playoff push in the West. With the strides that they made this season and the help that is on its way, the Thunder should be a playoff team next season.
And if you add Khris Middleton to that mix, the Thunder will certainly have a good shot to finish as a 6-8 seed in the West next season depending on what moves other teams in the conference make. And Middleton could be the exact veteran star that helps the Thunder get over the hump of mediocrity in the West.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is absolutely the lead man in OKC but Middleton could be the second option that opens the door for big improvement for the team next season. With natural progression, the Thunder is going to be better next season. Add an all-star caliber scorer and the Thunder could truly make a tangible move in the West.