Key opponent games OKC Thunder should scout to isolate potential asset targets

With a wealth of draft picks the OKC Thunder should focus on opponent games to isolate players who Sam Presti may want to target. Games featuring former players returning to their old teams are a great starting point.

There are three former OKC Thunder players who Thunder Nation will anxiously await to see back at Chesapeake Energy Arena this season. Although Russell Westbrook will be the most anticipated return there will be equal anticipation over Paul George and Jerami Grant‘s returns as well.

Mind you, the fan base may not welcome Paul George back with the same type of intensity as Westbrook. In fact, there is likely to be a split house on how to react to PG13’s return given his exit caused this entire shift in the franchise. Grant’s return, however, should be unanimously met with widespread applause and cheers.

Outside of these three former OKC Thunder players, there are a number of player return dates to their former teams who’ll draw an equal amount of excitement. Many of these return dates won’t be in celebration mode, however. That said, some of these games could provide end up resulting in some of the top NBA entertainment this season.

Although Thunder Nation is most invested in the OKC Thunder, there are other reasons why these return dates should garner our attention. First, it’s highly unlikely Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, and other Thunder assets will play the full season in OKC. Teams who are in the conversation to vie for the title might be missing one key piece which might be a point guard or floor spreading forward.

Should those teams make a move to bring in CP3 or Gallo then the logical side of the equation is other players (or picks) will need to be sent back to the Thunder. Keep this in mind as you watch these games as it will offer insight to which young assets Sam Presti should consider adding to the Thunder in their rebuild.