Roundtable sessions: OKC Thunder lineups, rotations and reserve units

Rotation/Lineup Segment:

With two superstars and three-fifths of the starting rotation gone wholesale changes to the rotations are required. Andre Roberson is back and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is capable of playing one through three. Therefore, the only 2018-19 starter guaranteed to be back with the starting five is Steven Adams.

Given these dynamics for the first game in Utah on October 23rd who is your starting five?

Tamberlyn Richardson:

Point guard: Chris Paul
Shooting guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Small forward:  Darius Bazley
Power Forward: Danilo Gallinari
Center: Steven Adams

This will be a unique take but I believe partnering arguably the best young talents with the top veteran talent is a sound strategy. It’s important the franchise Invest in the future by inserting Darius Bazley in the starting small rotation. We can debate which wing has the highest ceiling but there is an equal precedent to pair the other two talented young wings together on the reserve unit which I’ll dive into in a later question.

Based on an expiring contract Gallinari will assuredly exit no later than the February 6 trade deadline and Paul is almost as likely to go. Given that reality why waste the 51 games of on the court training the two youngsters can gain?  Just as logical as it is to pair Gilgeous-Alexander with Paul it’s also wise to expose Bazley to the same insights. Bazley is raw but possesses great instincts and with the insulation of veterans, he’ll be nurtured to hone those tendencies.

Another major benefit is the rookie is 6’9″ which equates to a very long starting unit. In addition to the wisdom Bazley could soak up he wouldn’t have to force his offense as he’d very likely be the last scoring option. The ultimate benefit would be allowing SGA and Bazley to develop chemistry from the jump instead of waiting till CP3 is gone or until next season.

Rylan Stiles:

Point guard: Chris Paul
Shooting guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Small forward: Terrance Ferguson
Power Forward: Danilo Gallinari
Center: Steven Adams

Noah Schulte:

Point guard: Chris Paul
Shooting guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Small forward: Terrance Ferguson
Power Forward: Danilo Gallinari
Center:  Steven Adams

CP3, Gallo, and Adams should be fairly self-explanatory – they’ve all clearly done enough by now to warrant starters minutes from day one. There’s an argument out there for keeping SGA on the bench and allowing him to get reps leading the second unit, but if the preseason is any indication (which it shouldn’t necessarily be), he’ll be too good to ride the pine.

Andre Roberson would get the fifth starting spot over Ferguson had he played any meaningful in the last couple of years, but we don’t really know what he looks like and it’ll probably take him a hot minute to get back into playing shape. This will all probably change by the end of the year, but I’d bet a decent amount of money that this is how they’ll start.

Aidan E:

Point guard: Chris Paul
Shooting guard: Andre Roberson (if he’s healthy enough to go)
Small forward: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Terrance Ferguson
Power Forward: Danilo Gallinari
Center: Steven Adams

Matthew Hallet:

My starting five is

Point guard: Chris Paul
Shooting guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Small forward:  Andre Roberson
Power Forward: Danilo Gallinari
Center: Steven Adams

Kevon Stewart:

PG: Chris Paul
SG: Shia Gilgeous Alexander
SF: Danilo Gallinari
PF: Mike Muscala
C: Steven Adams

I feel this will be the most effective starting lineup. Even if they’ve chosen to run a different rotation. I think this squad would be most effective on the court over time.

Tyler Barger:

Point guard: Chris Paul
Shooting guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Small forward:  Danilo Gallinari
Power Forward: Mike Muscala
Center: Steven Adams