Thunderous Intentions
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Threats to the OKC Thunder: A guide to Paul George’s offseason

By Stephen Dolan

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks with media after the game against the Utah Jazz in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks with media after the game against the Utah Jazz in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers made a lot of noise in this year’s playoffs. They shoved their way through the Miami Heat in just five games, showing talent well beyond their experience. Then they remembered their age and lost in five to the also-young Boston Celtics.

They are an intriguing, career-lengthening opportunity for Paul George. They’re the same opportunity for LeBron James.

The players and sense

What are Paul George’s weaknesses? PG’s an excellent all-around player who can sometimes be inconsistent and/or shrink from the moment. He’s a great shooter who excels most when catching-and-shooting. He’s a great defender who’s best when someone else guards the other team’s best player.

So, what do the 76ers have? Philadelphia has a ball-dominant, soon-to-be superstar point guard, Ben Simmons. They have a fan-favorite, current superstar center, Joel Embiid. They have an All-Defense forward, Robert Covington. Not to mention, they also have a plethora of future assets like Markelle Fultz and draft picks, and the major hole on their roster is 3-point shooting.

The fit is flawless. It’s beautiful. It’s the way we wish OKC fit Paul George.

There are two obstacles, though, for Philadelphia to acquire Paul George. First, they don’t have a player as good as Russell Westbrook. Granted, almost nobody does. Second, They only have one max spot available, and LeBron James is soon to be a free agent.

The dollars and cents

The 76ers have room for one max-level free agent. The best case scenario for OKC Thunder fans is that LeBron decides to stay East and join the young guns in Philly. It would be a legitimate, rational decision from him. It would even be a good one.

For whatever remains of LeBron’s prime, be it two or three or 14 years, that team would stay relevant. It would be like Jason Kidd joining the Mavs, or Shaq joining Dwyane Wade in Miami, except that it could last. LeBron could be competitive for championships all the way up until his son has a chance to play in the NBA with him.

The Thunder’s best hope to keep Paul George is that LeBron James joins the Philadelphia 76ers. That would eliminate both the 76ers and the next team on the list.

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