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OKC Thunder: 3 ‘what if’ moments that changed the franchise’s trajectory

By Lawrence George

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks to the media during a press conference after Game Five against the Utah Jazz during 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talks to the media during a press conference after Game Five against the Utah Jazz during 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 Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MAY 6: San Antonio Spurs GM, R.C. Buford talks to Oklahoma City Thunder GM, Sam Presti before Game Three of the Western Conference Semi Finals on May 6, 2016 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. : Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Reflecting on three ‘what if’ scenarios which changed the direction of the OKC Thunder franchise.

The OKC Thunder have enjoyed more success in its short tenure than most franchises have in their lifetime. Despite Oklahoma City’s success, the Thunder missed out on opportunities that could’ve changed the course of the club’s current direction.

After just 10 years in the league, the OKC Thunder have firmly established itself as one of the elite franchises in the league. From the successful selections of Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson in various NBA drafts, multiple Western Conference Finals appearances to one championship run in 2012, Oklahoma City have enjoyed more success than most clubs have in their lifetime.

OKC haven’t had it all their way though. Oklahoma City infamously voided the Tyson Chandler trade back in 2009 based on a questionable turf toe assessment from team doctor Carlan Yates. The supposed “risk of re-injury” was too high and ended in Chandler being sent back to New Orleans.

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Two short years later, Chandler won the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award and ring with the Dallas Mavericks while Oklahoma City would send Jeff Green to Boston for Kendrick Perkins. A core group of Westbrook, KD, Harden, Chandler, Ibaka and Green is absurd to think about. Thanks to Yates, this potential core group never materialized.

And perhaps the biggest one of all is the Harden trade. Ownership refused to pay Harden four years, $60 million in fall of 2012 and instead tried to undercut him at four years, $54 million. The fear of luxury tax in hindsight was ridiculous given the difference in salary demand.

While the Jeremy Lamb, Kevin Martin, 2013 first-round pick (Steven Adams), 2014 first-round pick (Mitch McGary) and a 2013 second-round pick (Alex Abrines) was considered a fair offer at the time, only two of those players remain on OKC’s roster.

Ignoring what Harden has evolved into, he was a huge piece in OKC’s rapid rise to relevance and won the sixth man award just before his departure. To make matters worse, Harden conceded that he wasn’t given enough time to consider the offer and was traded before actually making his decision. No matter what happens moving forward, this was a major blunder by Thunder’s ownership who will never live it down.

The following three scenario’s qualify as classic what if moments that could have reshaped Oklahoma City’s direction had they chosen to trade-up, secure services of a player a year earlier or re-signed certain players.

Lets begin.

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