OKC Has Problems

Writer: Caleb Akpan

When the NBA season began, there were a few super teams that seemed a cut above the rest. The Golden State Warriors looked even more dominant, Cleveland still seemed to be the best of the East, Houston added Chris Paul, and the Spurs were still the Spurs. All of these teams have proven their greatness so far this season, but there was another team included in that group that has yet to emerge as a true contender. Something’s wrong in Oklahoma City and the Thunder might not have the winning formula in their hands, despite having three of the best players in the league.

Credit: USA Today

GM Sam Presti had completely robbed the Pacers and Knicks to get Paul George and Carmelo Anthony according to most accounts this offseason. OKC had a true big three just a year removed from losing Kevin Durant to the Warriors, and many considered them the first challenge to the machine Golden State had built. Critics saw them as a true contender going into the season, but they have yet to prove they can even secure a playoff spot out West as every member of the trio struggles. Anthony is averaging career lows in points (17.7), assists (1.5), and field goal percentage (40%), which Paul George is also averaging a career low in (41%), aside from his brief playing time in 2014-2015 returning from injury. Russell Westbrook’s raw numbers (22.6 PPG, 9.9 APG, 9.4 RPG) still appear somewhat dominant, but his percentages are even worse than his teammates. Westbrook is currently shooting 38% from the field, 31% from 3, and 71% from the free throw line, numbers that are, for the most part, even worse than those from his rookie campaign. With their three stars struggling to mesh, it’s tough to see what more the team really needs.

A change could be required in the coaching ranks. Many have begun to criticize Billy Donovan, saying he lacks a true NBA system, but Donovan also had a much less talented OKC squad in the playoffs last year, along with Russell Westbrook winning an MVP. Can coaching really be blamed when OKC was successful with less pieces just months ago? Maybe the struggles have something to do with the bench. The Thunder traded away pieces like Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and Domantas Sabonis along with Victor Oladipo, who seems to be transforming into one of the best players in the league in order to get George and Anthony. They may not be as good as Melo and PG, but together they provided OKC with depth and worked well with ball-dominant Westbrook. Having three guys on the court that need the ball a lot in order to succeed has been one of OKC’s biggest issues so far. It’s getting to the point where losing one of the 3 might actually help things in the name of depth and flow of the offense.

The good news for the Thunder and their fans is that they’ve now won 3 of the last four games following a triple overtime thriller with Philadelphia Friday night. The bad news is that they’re still just barely in the eight seed out West and every one of those three wins was won in the final minutes. OKC needs to start really meshing and dominating games soon or it may be too late for any big hopes they had going into the season. There’s still time to recover and get a higher playoff seed, but not too much time. They need to figure out a solution to their issues, firing Donovan, trading George or Anthony, or just simply pulling it together with what they have. However they do it, it’s gotta be fast, or they might not even make the playoffs at all.

Carmelo Anthony to OKC

Writer: Elijah Folsom

Carmelo Anthony has been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder and it might be the last big move of the offseason. The western conference has been elevated to another level this summer, and Carmelo only adds to the fun. Anthony brings a different kind of swagger to the Thunder, and makes them real contenders. Most moves have been talked about before they happen, but nobody thought that Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony would all be on the same team for the season opener this year.

the franchise ok

Sam Presti is the GM for the Thunder and has done a very good job this offseason acquiring Paul George and Carmelo Anthony while giving up athletes that were, for the most part, role players. Presti is not like other GM’s in the NBA because he prefers to do all of his deals in the dark (or without the media knowing). Oklahoma City is not much of a free agent destination for players so Presti has to work well with what he has. With the loss of Kevin Durant this past year, many people believed that the Thunder would have to go into a rebuilding mode, but Presti thought otherwise. He traded away Serge Ibaka and in return two years later traded for Paul George. He has also made a very convincing case for Westbrook, Carmelo, and George to stay in OKC next year to build a super team of their own.

This trade is very beneficial to the Thunder obviously with the talents that Carmelo can bring to the team, but it also comes with a risk. Westbrook, George, and Carmelo all have the same option to terminate their contracts at the end of this year and become free agents. The Thunder could have just struck gold with having all three of these players on the same team, but they are also running the risk of not having any of them next season. It will be interesting to see what happens with this team, and how far they make it into the playoffs, and to see whether or not any of the players will stay in OKC.

While everyone is focused on the Thunder and what this trade does for them this coming year, the Knicks are not in a bad spot as well. In this trade, they get a good low block scorer in Enes Kanter, and a good scorer off the bench in Doug McDermott. The smart move is to obviously tank this year, and most likely end up with a top ten pick in this year’s upcoming draft, but with Carmelo out of the picture, and Kanter’s $17 million contract potentially ending this year, the Knicks have a lot of salary cap space. New York is an obvious free agent destination for NBA players, and the free agent class for next year is looking very good as well with names like Cousins, LeBron, Durant, Westbrook, and Paul George. The Knicks could potentially sign some of these players and start a super team of their own to play in MSG to play alongside Porzingis.

The Thunder have become a new challenger in the west, and the Knicks have begun rebuilding without Carmelo through this trade and essentially nobody saw it coming. This trade has already sent shockwaves throughout the NBA community and the season hasn’t even started yet. With all of the trades and signings in what has shaped up to be the most exciting offseason yet, this year’s NBA season is going to be one to keep your eyes on.