Thunderous Intentions
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Thunder season review: Shucking oysters to deliver 2018-19 pearls

By Tamberlyn Richardson

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 23: The Oklahoma City Thunder honor the National Anthem before the game against the Utah Jazz in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 23: The Oklahoma City Thunder honor the National Anthem before the game against the Utah Jazz in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With the 2017-18 OKC Thunder campaign complete it’s time to set offseason goals with a view to growth and putting the best possible team on the court next year.

There was reason to be enthusiastic at the start of the 2017-18 OKC Thunder season. Afterall, Russell Westbrook was returning having signed a super max deal and sporting MVP league honors.  GM Sam Presti pulled more rabbits out of his magician’s hat to land two-way player Paul George and later convinced Carmelo Anthony to waive his no trade clause to form a new OK3.

In hindsight, perhaps the latter move was destined for failure given an opposing style to how Anthony best produces. By December the squad seemingly found their rhythm and began to resemble a team destined to make a charge for the Larry O’Brien trophy. Then disaster struck in Detroit. Often deemed the low-key MVP on TI, Andre Roberson injury proved to be the adversity this reformulated squad couldn’t recover from. Once vying for top three defense the team learned precisely how essential Roberson was to their success.

There are palpable lessons to be learned from this season tied directly to the Roberson injury. The obvious caveat is how much ARob does to help the team defensively. But, another less discussed fact is how much Roberson’s speed and movement aids the offense. Another problem was the issue of the anemic OKC Thunder reserve unit, which similarly to the previous season failed to maintain leads or produce consistently.

With Billy Donovan forced into making tweaks and using his reserve unit in more settings Jerami Grant, Alex Abrines and Patrick Patterson all showed glimpses of untapped benefits.

Free Agency flux:

Moving forward, the team who’ll tip off in 2018 may once again be drastically different than the one who finished the previous campaign. In particular the status of two stars and several expiring contracts will dictate a good portion of the roster composition.

Two-thirds of the new OK3 will determine the majority of Sam Presti’s decisions. Presumably Paul George will opt out of the final season of his contract. OKC’s priority is obviously to re-sign the two-way talent and find out just how far he and Westbrook can grow and push this team in the future.

Ultimately, the decision is George’s. But, it’s fair to say everything that can be done to encourage him to stay has been. Westbrook afforded PG his first experience playing beside another star and what his presence does to remove the weight of carrying a team solo. Roberson will be back and allow PG the opportunity to be a perennial All-Defensive honoree. The fans have done their part and Presti will no doubt make it financially worth his while.

Yet, it is the contract and subsequent decision of Carmelo Anthony which may play the greatest factor in the direction of next season’s team. The worst case scenario would be the combination of George leaving, Anthony opting in, not waiving his no trade and creating a situation where OKC will be forced to buy him out under the stretch provision.

Raymond Felton, Corey Brewer, Josh Huestis and Jerami Grant all enter the offseason as free agents as well. Again, what occurs with George and Anthony will dictate the brain trust’s decisions on each of these players and define the latitude Sam Presti has.

Draft and Offseason Homework:

Until the free agency moratorium hits not much can be done aside from planning. Sam Presti has been notably active with draft prospects both in terms of workouts and meetings. As for the existing team, each will need to focus on improving this offseason.

To that end, the Thunderous Intentions writing team dove into each player individually in the season reviews. These reviews offer analysis on what went right and where the player’s focus should be in advance of returning to training camp.

In case you missed them click on the blue title for each player below.

Starters:

Russell Westbrook – Twice in a lifetime

Paul George – Explaining the inconsistency

Carmelo Anthony – Aging superstar at career precipice

Andre Roberson – The defensive master

Steven Adams – The Beast Unleashed

Reserves:

Jerami Grant – Transforming into viable contributor

Corey Brewer – The successful acquisition

Terrance Ferguson – Rookie with big upside

Alex Abrines – Of treys, improved defense and post-game selfies

Josh Huestis – Stop comparing Josh Huestis to Roberson and Grant

Patrick Patterson – Missed opportunities and movie plots

Raymond Felton – Filling a longstanding void

Dakari Johnson, Kyle Singler, Nick Collison (retired) – Trio at end of bench

Growth Is Focus for Management, Players in Offseason:

Despite a recent barrage of negative articles the sky isn’t falling. Paul George’s decision looms, but if he leaves it won’t be for a lack of everyone involved giving it their best effort.

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Nor is the Carmelo Anthony situation as bleak as everyone would have you believe. Derrick Rose was considered finished, but reuniting with his former coach brought out his best. Likewise, there is a team and a style which will offer the best situation for Carmelo Anthony. In the team’s current state – that is not the OKC Thunder.

Yet, the reality is this isn’t a simple yes or no circumstance. As the Western Conference Finals has showcased iso-ball is alive and well and with it there are a number of elite teams who will covet Anthony’s services. Nor is it likely he’ll want to be relegated to the bench all season in OKC (the presumptive role he’ll be offered based on Presti and Melo’s exit interviews).

Room for optimism in 2018-19:

Examining the All-NBA teams in the last days pointed to the fact this squad is still considered a powerhouse by the men and women who judge them. Utah was the only other squad who had four players receive All-Defense votes. Only the Warriors and Wolves equalled OKC in landing two players on All-NBA teams.

The OKC Thunder just hit their stride when Roberson was injured, and with him back will be equally dangerous.  Imagine what they could be next season with Paul George back, a year of learning to draw and the chemistry which comes from constancy.

Next: Russell Westbrook: from MVP to critics punchline

Looking ahead – the world is the Thunder’s oyster – now Sam Presti just needs to shuck it and put the pearl(s) in place.

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