Western Conference early free agency moves put OKC Thunder on high alert
By Rylan Stiles
The Golden State Warriors acquire an All-Star by losing Kevin Durant
The Warriors lost the NBA Finals this year, while also losing Klay Thompson to an ACL injury that will likely keep him out until after the All-Star break given how late the injury happened.
The team also lost Kevin Durant in free agency (who also suffered a torn Achilles during the Finals) as he signed with the Brooklyn Nets. That allowed the Nets to sign-and-trade Durant for young All-Star D’Angelo Russell.
After giving Klay Thompson a max contract, and maxing out D’Angelo Russell on the sign-and-trade, the Warriors were forced to ship off Andre Iguodala, who landed in Memphis and is a buyout candidate.
The Golden State Warriors will take a step back this season, in fact, I will go as far to say they will struggle to make the postseason.
The reason this move is of high concern for OKC is the fact D’Angelo Russell is a very interesting trade asset once the Warriors get their legs under them from losing Kevin Durant and being without Klay Thompson for most of this upcoming season.
Since many project the Warriors to take a step back, the OKC Thunder might be able to capitalize. The Thunder went 1-2 against Golden State a year ago, and now without the three-headed monster, maybe the Thunder can pick up an extra win or two. Much will depend on how next season schedule falls in terms of when the squads play and whether the face Golden State three or four times.