Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder 2017 free agents point guard shortlist

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Jan 23, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball in front of Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball in front of Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) during the first half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) drives around Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) . Toronto won 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) drives around Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) . Toronto won 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Midnight July 1, the NBA Free Agency moratorium begins with OKC needing to target free agents who can fill their backup point guard needs.

Heading into the offseason the OKC Thunder has specific needs that free agents can address. Certainly, I’d love to lay out the case for why Kyle Lowry, Paul George, or Gordon Hayward would be the perfect companion to the current MVP.

The problem is to acquire those assets Sam Presti would have to virtually annihilate his squad. Moreover, the additions of Otto Porter, Jonathan Simmons, Paul Millsap or possibly JJ Redick could provide a major uptick in talent. The problem is these free agents will also fall into the ‘out of reach’ territory given the Thunder’s available salary space.

In spite of that, there are realistic free agents who offer viable options to fill roster needs. More importantly, there is a real need on this team for playmaking which warrants going above and beyond to fill.

Ideally, that player comes in the form of a backup point guard though it could be a combo guard. Ultimately, finding a backcourt player who can create for teammates, is a reliable offensive contributor, and playmaker takes precedence over every other need the Thunder has.

Simply put, until Sam Presti can bolster his offense and ease the load on Westbrook having to both score and create for the entire team OKC can’t take a step forward,

To that end, I offer the point guard free agents shortlist for the OKC Thunder.

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