Predicting how OKC Thunder would perform in trio of return scenarios

As the OKC Thunder await news of the suspension end date let’s examine what each return strategy scenario would mean for the club.

This week the NBA will hit the one month mark since the OKC Thunder and Utah Jazz game was postponed and the season subsequently suspended. The Thunder entered the suspension seeded fifth and quite literally about to play a game where a win would’ve vaulted them into fourth and home court position.

Early projections of a mid to to late June return date were shelved as the pandemic hit North America hard. There are whispers the season could be canceled but following the conference call with all Major Sports Leagues and President Trump this weekend no additional reports were announced aside from a desire to return to arenas and stadiums as soon as medical professions give the okay.

The Association is following what the Chinese Basketball Association as their test case but another setback will keep the CBA off the court at least until May.

This throws the three to four-month initial suspension window out the window and now the NBA must gauge things on a daily basis. A return to the hardwood only works if America’s positive COVID-19 test cases first flatten and then stop altogether.

Albeit, if there is a major improvement and with the league investigating quarantining the teams all in one location they could potentially proceed in advance of society fully returning to normal.

Trio of return strategies:

Also affecting seeding is what strategy the NBA will use if they are able to return. In this event, three scenarios exist – – complete the schedule (between 15 to 18 games per team), a portion of the remaining schedule (with the potential for a play-in tournament for the final seed in both conferences) or jump directly into postseason play.

Each of the return strategies offers varying degrees of benefits or negatives for the Thunder. Let’s examine each …