Storyline: OKC can win NBA championships if the team retains it’s “core four”– Durant, Westbrook, Adams, and Ibaka.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder just lost a 3-1 lead and the Western Conference Finals to the Golden State Warriors. But things could get even worse. Kevin Durant is hitting free agency this summer. Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka will be free agents in the summer of 2017. Plus Steven Adams will be a restricted free agent in 2017.
This has been no holiday weekend for OKC faithful.
Wasn’t it just this past Saturday when OKC looked to be on top of the NBA world? Then Game 6 and 7 happened. Klay Thompson had what may be the most clutch-shooting performance in playoff history in Game 6 and Steph Curry finished off the Thunder in Game 7.
Things in the NBA change faster than a one-man Westbrook fast break.
The Thunder could easily be playing in Game 1 of the NBA Finals this Thursday, but instead are in mourning and have big decisions to make. GM Sam Presti and head coach Billy Donovan need to come up with a future plan … fast … and then sell it to superstars Durant and Westbrook.
I do hope Presti and Donovan are good salesmen because the Thunder are that close. With a few tweaks OKC could finally breakthrough and win that elusive NBA title.
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I believe Durant can be the centerpiece of an NBA championship. Yes, he had a deplorable Game 6—putting up a lot of forced shots and having too many turnovers in the 4th quarter—but he’s still only 27 and has some time still to grow into a champion.
He’s the best pure scorer in the NBA not named Curry. As a 6’10 freak of an athlete he can rebound and make plays for his teammates. And Durant’s defense against Golden State was All-NBA level. There are only a handful of truly max players in the League and Durant is one of them.
NBA reporters may question Durant’s championship mettle (see The Detroit News’ Bob Wojnowski’s Twitter feed as a glaring example, @bobwojnowski), but I see a player that can lead this OKC core to the title. He needs to trust his teammates and not force the issue so much, but most superstars need to go through that evolution to be crowned king. I see KD much more in the Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett mold than as a Carmelo Anthony clone.
Once the KD chip falls, it should make Westbrook’s choice easier for next year. These two are very close friends from all accounts. Why not give it a few more years in OKC to see if they can win the title together? Unless either of these two happen to join the Warriors or Spurs (ugh, that would be a punk move for either superstar in my opinion) where are they going to find a better teammate or overall roster?
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Both Westbrook and Durant should at least sign short-term (two or three year) deals in OKC to see if they can get over the hump. If they can’t, well then maybe it’s best to look for a new solution. I don’t expect the two to be this century’s Karl Malone and John Stockton. But right now this team provides each with the best opportunity for legendary greatness. And let’s not forget straight-up cash.
Locking down Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka would give the Thunder a core that can compete with the NBA’s best. Adams is perfect for the Thunder scheme and, at 22, should only see his offensive game improve. He’s aggressive on defense and a monster on the glass. Small-ball may be all the rage, but Adams can be one of the best centers in the league if he continues his playoff form.
Ibaka may have to be the sacrifice due to finances, but I see him as the perfect power forward of the small-ball age. He’s a legit 6’10’ and an elite defender who can intimidate in the paint and rebound. Plus he has added a very solid three-point shot to his game—something that improved in the playoffs. Ibaka is athletic enough to chase smaller forwards and can play center in smaller lineups, too. More than ever versatility is a huge factor in the NBA and that makes Ibaka a must re-sign in my eyes.
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If the Thunder can add the necessary pieces around this core four—Durant, Westbrook, Adams, and Ibaka—then the Thunder should be able to compete for titles over the next few years.
As for players to shed…. Dion Waiters played well, but OKC should not re-sign him if better shooters are available. Better outside shooting is a must. 10-50 on 3-pointers in Games 6 & 7 against the Warriors doesn’t cut it. And Enes Kanter, while a luxury off the bench, plays porous defense.
KC took the best regular season team ever and defending champ to the brink of elimination. They beat a 67-win San Antonio Spurs team with championship hopes. They were entertaining as-all-hell the entire way. Impatience on the court possibly may have cost the Thunder a title this year.
But OKC players and management can’t let impatience destroy its future.
