Despite the OKC Thunder 2016-17 season being over, there is still plenty of work to be done by the franchise.
Following the OKC Thunder early playoff exit interest turns to player reviews and offseason choices. While the team is taking a much needed break, the front office never stops. Sam Presti and Billy Donovan are already working on how they are going to advance the team next year.
Collison’s Future:
One question is what comes next for veteran Nick Collison. Having spent his entire career with this organization there is a natural affinity between the franchise and the player. Collison has indicated he would like to return and since he offers a valuable voice to back up Westbrook look for Presti to make it work, assuming the salary cap allows it.
The 36 year old veteran has lost so much blood for the team, I would rather Collison fill a roster slot than Kyle Singler.
Jeff Patterson of the Kansas City Star noted Collison’s desire to return as a member of the Thunder next season and notably hinted at a future in coaching:
"There has been some media speculation that Collison, a friend of 40-year-old OKC general manager Sam Presti, might be interested in joining the Thunder front office or Billy Donovan’s coaching staff as an assistant coach in the wake of Thunder assistant Anthony Grant becoming head coach at University of Dayton.Emphatically no."
Full article: OKC Thunder’s Nick Collison Not Ready To Retire – Kansas City Star
Victor Oladipo Review:
Much has been said about the OKC Thunder needing a second star. For the most part, Victor Oladipo filled that role by being the second scorer behind Westbrook. The problem was Oladipo seemingly disappeared in the playoffs. Berry Tramel of NewsOK takes a look at the season past for Oladipo, including his poor playoff showing in his article:
"Assimilation: A. It’s hard to overstate Oladipo’s value to the Thunder. From his demeanor to his acceptance of Westbrook’s dominance, Oladipo fit in well immediately. His all-around play was a light in the darkness created by Kevin Durant’s departure. Oladipo’s usage rate was a career low 21.4 percent, which meant his assists and turnovers were way down. The ball wasn’t in his hands, and he showed no signs of complaint. Oladipo missed 15 games with injury; OKC went 8-7 in those games, a winning percentage of .533. With Oladipo, the Thunder was 39-28, a winning percentage of .582."
Full Article: Victor Oladipo report card: Rough playoffs, but a promising season
Thunderous Intentions Review Oladipo:
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TI’s Dean Turner served up his season review, noting the difficulty required to assimilate to a new team:
"Moving from franchise to franchise can be difficult. You can partially chalk Oladipo’s regression up to his lack of familiarity with his teammates. As for the other portion of the blame, that’ll be dispersed to Kevin Durant.Last offseason the Thunder brought Oladipo on with the thinking that Durant would stay put despite his impending free agency. We all know how that one went. Durant is in the Bay and Oladipo is being asked to do a job he isn’t built to do — be the second best player on a contending team."
Full article: OKC Thunder Improvement Series: Victor Oladipo – Thunderous Intentions
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