OKC Thunder – 5 free agents who improve Westbrook’s title chances
By Bo Cardona
![Feb 19, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Eastern Conference guard Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors (7) talks with Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) in the 2017 NBA All-Star Game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports Feb 19, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Eastern Conference guard Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors (7) talks with Western Conference guard Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder (0) in the 2017 NBA All-Star Game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a0fff73d0558a129c49f86764439f972984964b93d5bbaece735186e0fd2238e.jpg)
Kyle Lowry:
As crazy as this may seem it could have huge upside. Lowry is a free agent this year and will test his chances on the market. He is a three point threat if given any open look and plays rugged hard nosed defense. But how would it mesh having two all star caliber point guards?
Today’s NBA is almost a position less game. You don’t build a team based around positions, you build it based around how others can mesh with the players you have. Bringing Lowry in and starting him at the 2 slot gives a huge boost to the Thunders three point range, and will as well bring someone who can potentially run the offense whenever Westbrook isn’t on the court.
A huge issue with Lowry would be the salary cap. The only way OKC could budget him into their system would be trading off some players to get him there. A trade could be made in some sort of blockbuster deal with Oladipo and Kanter. Sending them to a team for some first round picks and a couple of lower salary players could open the door for Kyle Lowry. This option would not only open up space, but also would give Oladipo a chance to shine somewhere he could be a star again.