The morning after: Where do the OKC Thunder go from here?
By Rylan Stiles
The OKC Thunder sent another shock wave throughout the NBA on Saturday Morning, which they are so prone to do. Last night, another era ended in OKC. What happens now?
The entire NBA world awaited reigning NBA Finals MVP, Kawhi Lenord’s decision. For OKC Thunder fans, it seemed as if the fanbase would be waiting to see how the balance of powers fell in the league, to plan their next move.
If Kawhi landed with the Lakers, the OKC Thunder and the entire league would be looking down the barrel of another super team. If he landed with the Clippers or Raptors, it seemed as though the NBA would be wide open for the Thunder and the team would look to make a run.
That is why when the first report from Woj came down, OKC Thunder fans were either excited for the wide-open West, or indifferent and just intrigued by the basketball move by Kawhi.
Free agent forward Kawhi Leonard has informed runners-up teams of his plans: He's signing with the Clippers, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
However, indifference or intrigue quickly faded. It turned into a wide range of emotions with Woj’s next tweet. Emotions ranged from shocked, to mad, hurt, upset, and everything in between. Woj dropped another bombshell on Thunder fans.
Oklahoma City is trading All-Star Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers for a record-setting collection of draft choices, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
The Thunder have been in Oklahoma City since 2008, and since that time, general manager Sam Presti has made earth-shattering moves time and time again. However, of all the bombshells Presti has dropped on us fans over the years…none have been more shocking than this one.
Trading for Paul George was out of nowhere, sure. But, at least that move was tossed around by at the time “unrealistic” fans…then it really happened.
Related Story. Kawhi's decision drops a bombshell on OKC Thunder. light
While trading Paul George came totally by surprise. No one even knew he wanted out…including Sam Presti who signed a few role players this offseason that no longer fit with the timeline of the franchise.
In an offseason that started as being in “win-now” mode, and running it back and growing from within, has now turned into possibly blowing it up and missing the playoffs?
Now, the OKC Thunder and Sam Presti have a few options. In this article, let’s deep dive into those options in the aftermath of the biggest trade in franchise history…again.