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The OKC Thunder Need To Blow It Up

By Austin Sternlicht

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- APRIL 5: Russell Westbrook #0 and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on against the Detroit Pistons on April 5, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- APRIL 5: Russell Westbrook #0 and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on against the Detroit Pistons on April 5, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Deonte Burton #30 of the Oklahoma City Thunder Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Change is hard. But in order to go forward, the OKC Thunder will need to start by going backward.

In sports, there’s a general philosophy that it’s better to end something too early than too late. That’s exactly what the OKC Thunder need to embrace this Summer by curtailing its encore of the post-KD era.

You know what happened by now. Paul George is out. Danilo Gallinari, Shai GIlgeous-Alexander, and a boatload of picks are in. The Thunder got a great head start in entering, and excuse me for my choice of words, their next chapter in the NBA.

But it shouldn’t stop there. And by no means is this an easy thing to write about, let alone execute. The Thunder have to put sentimentality aside and do what is right for the franchise. That means making the hard decisions and swallowing the pains of possible short term losses for the benefit of the next decade.

Sam Presti is going to earn his paycheck the next month or so. We know how well he can pin teams against each other in order to maximize a trade. Can he continue to work his magic or will teams finally realize it’s maybe not smart to negotiate with a man who can maximize leverage?

So why do the OKC Thunder need to blow it up and what would that entail? Let’s break it down.

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