26 games until trade deadline could define OKC Thunder season and future

With 26 games until the trade deadline how the OKC Thunder performs during this schedule segment will play a significant role in the team’s future and their seeding this season.

Although the OKC Thunder ended their four-game road trip with two losses they managed to get a split with impressive wins over the Blazers and Jazz in a back to back set no less.

While the team continues to impress with their competitiveness it’s led to OKC being in the mix with six (arguably seven) teams vying for the final two playoff seeds. As of this writing, the Thunder ranks ninth in the West in a virtual three-way tie with the Sacramento Kings (7th) and Phoenix Suns (8th) who all sport an11-14 record.

The trio of clubs directly behind the Thunder is the Wolves, Spurs with identical 10-15 records, and the Blazers with a 10-16 record. Although the Grizzlies are unlikely to be in the mix they also aren’t far off with a 9-17 record but they’re hard to count out given some of the teams they’ve beaten. To wit, four of their nine wins are against teams in the group of six listed above.

In a recent article, TI touched on what the OKC Thunder should aspire to do this season and the stance taken was it would behoove the team to make the playoffs as long as they didn’t ascend above the 10th overall ranking in the league so they retain their draft pick.

With that in mind, the next schedule segment until the trade deadline will be pivotal in determining the team’s positioning.

At this stage in the season, it’s about minor tweaks and taking advantage of their strengths while trying to improve upon their weaknesses. It’s not brain surgery— the players know when they fail it’s often tied to poor starts and not bringing energy to start third quarters. When they don’t, they tend to lose. Case in point – they lost both the first and third quarters against the Kings and Nuggets while they won both versus the Jazz and took the first in Portland and didn’t lose the third by much (4 points).

Considering the Thunder didn’t win on the road until November 25th in their 16th game the fact they’ve collected four wins in the seven road games since that time speaks to their growth.

With eight weeks of action in the books, this next segment of the schedule could have a dramatic effect on where the Thunder finish the season.

Of course, the season needs to play out and we’ll need to see what Presti elects to do with Danilo Gallinari, Chris Paul and a host of others. But in this present moment, it’s hard not to revel in the current play of the squad. Witnessing end to end long bombs from Steven Adams, Chris Paul humor and swagger with referees and the growing confidence of the group of youngsters. Getting to see the players reap the rewards of their hard work by consistently being competitive just feels right.

Diving into the next schedule segment:

The game in Denver marked the 25th contest the OKC Thunder has played this season. Typically we’d break down the season in four quadrants of 20 games (and do a minor cheat on two of those with one extra game to hit the 82).

I’m doing this a little different and examining the next 26 games. The reason is the trade deadline is February 6th. Starting today (December 15th) fans should start seeing more trade movement because the 150 players who moved this summer will no longer be restricted from being traded.

The trade deadline cut off is February 6th so let’s examine the 26 games occurring starting tomorrow (December 16th) through February 5th which is the last game OKC plays prior to the trade deadline.

Road vs. Home:

Of the 26 games in this segment, the OKC Thunder will play 12 on the road and 14 at home. Of those 12 road games, eight are versus sub .500 teams.

Back to back sets:

OKC will play four back to back sets in these 26 games. Two sets are a home/road grouping, one features both games at home and the other both on the road.

• December 26-27: versus Grizzlies – at Hornets
• January 6-7: at 76ers – at Nets
• January 17-18: versus Heat – vs. Blazers
• January 24-25: vs. Hawks – at Wolves

Among these games, the back to back set versus the Grizzlies in OKC and Hornets on the road presents a tough situation. Charlotte will be on five days rest having last played on December 22nd so it’s a huge disadvantage for the Thunder.

Brooklyn like the Thunder will be on the second game of a back to back set albeit at home but their first game is on the road in Orlando.

Portland will also be playing on the second night of a back to back set having played the night prior in Dallas before arriving in OKC. Moreover, this will be the Blazers third game in four nights all on the road – advantage OKC.

Likewise, the Wolves will also be on the second night of a back to back where they host both games and playing their third game in four nights.

In three of the four scenarios the OKC Thunder will play three games in four nights -the exception is the Grizzlies/Hornets set.

Opposition Records:

The majority of these 26 games feature sub .500 teams with 15 against teams sporting records below .500 and 11 with records above plus one of the 11 clubs (Brooklyn Nets) who is only one game above the mark.

East vs. West:

Of the 26 games 11 are against the Eastern Conference and 15 versus the West and three from the Northwest Division.

Toughest section:

There are two specific sections within the 26 games that will test the OKC Thunder and in reality, it could be considered one large segment that has a few breaks within it. Specifically, the 11 games that occur between December 29th and January 17th features eight elite clubs and six games on the road

Easiest section:

Two segments within the 26 games feature an easier group of games for the Thunder. They bookend the 26 games. Starting tomorrow (Monday, December 16) five of their next six games are against sub .500 teams. Closing the segment that leads into the trade deadline between January 22nd and February 5th the Thunder play seven games with only one against an elite team (Mavericks).

Depending on what side of the argument you reside on the Thunder performing well over the course of these next 26 games could cement their chances at appearing in the postseason. And, even if you feel OKC shouldn’t make the playoffs it’s important for them to do well if only to highlight the talent on the team to up their trade value.

In comparison –

Sacramento Kings:

Will play 25 games in this schedule period:

• 12 road games, 13 home games
• Three back to back sets
• 15 games vs. sub .500 teams, 10 versus teams over .500
• 18 games vs. West, seven vs. East

Phoenix Suns:

Will play 26 games in this schedule period:

• 15 road games, 11 home games
• Four back to back sets with three of them occurring over seven games
• 17 games vs. sub .500 teams, 9 vs teams over .500
• 16 games vs. West, 10 vs. East

Minnesota Timberwolves:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Will play 25 games in this schedule period:

• 12 road games, 13 home games
• Four back to back sets
• 15 games vs. sub .500 teams, 10 games vs. teams above .500
• 16 games vs. West 9 games vs. East

San Antonio Spurs:

Will play 25 games in this schedule period:

• 13 road games, 12 home games
• Three back to back sets (first set doesn’t occur until January 19th/20th)
• 11 games vs. sub .500 teams, 14 games vs. teams above .500
• 13 games vs. West, 12 vs. East

Portland Trail Blazers:

Will play 25 games in this schedule period:

• 12 road games, 13 home games
• Three back to back sets
• 12 games vs. sub .500 teams, 13 games vs. teams above .500
• 17 games vs. West, eight vs. East

Memphis Grizzlies:

Will play 26 games in this schedule period:

• 12 road games, 14 home games
• Four back to back sets
• 15 games vs. sub .500 teams, 11 games vs. teams above .500
• 15 games vs. West 11 games vs. East

Starting tomorrow, it’s time for the team to capitalize on that competitive instinct that has defined the club through the early stages this season.