Western Conference early free agency moves put OKC Thunder on high alert
By Rylan Stiles
The OKC Thunder have to beat up on a trio of teams in 2019-20
If the OKC Thunder are going to survive the wild, wild, west, they are going to need to beat up on the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Phoenix Suns.
Suns:
Let’s start with the must-win games of 2019-20: Every single time OKC takes the floor against the Suns they have to be ready to win. Their lone addition this offseason, outside of their puzzling draft pick of Cam Johnson, was signing Ricky Rubio. Rubio was a quality point guard for the Utah Jazz and all signs pointed for Rubio to join the Indiana Pacers when free agency began.
Instead, the Pacers landed Malcolm Brogdon and Rubio inked a deal with the young Suns to finally fill a point guard void left by Eric Bledsoe in a barbershop.
The OKC Thunder went a perfect 4-0 against the Suns last season, and they need to continue that trend in 2019-20.
Grizzlies:
The Memphis Grizzlies are in the same boat as the Suns, only their core of Ja Morant, and Jaren Jackson Jr. to pair with Brandon Clarke who the team drafted this year presents a lot brighter future than the Suns. The Grizzlies started the free agency period by getting involved in the trade market taking in Andre Igudola to allow the Warriors to get D’Angelo Russell. Memphis could easily flip the veteran wing for even more assets.
The OKC Thunder were able to take home a 2-1 record against Memphis a year ago, and it would not hurt to improve that record even more.
Wolves:
The Minnesota Timberwolves were able to sign Noah Vonleh, who is a solid player, but yet he will not improve the lowly Wolves much. However, despite the Wolves recent struggles, they have still had the OKC Thunder’s number. The Wolves went 3-1 against the boys in blue a year ago.
The Wolves had an interesting 24 hours, they thought for sure they were going to pair franchise star Karl Anthony-Towns with his best friend, D’Angelo Russell, instead, they remained stagnant and a team that if the Thunder want to keep pace in the west have to beat up on within their division.