OKC Thunder ability to match their own historical benchmark will define future

Closing thoughts:

As the OKC Thunder enter their 13th campaign and what is being phrased as the ‘Resiliency’ era the fact each of the trio is among the hot buttons of this season is intriguing and somewhat ironic. That they are still such a major force in the 13th, 12th and 11th seasons speak to how unique the situation of drafting all three in consecutive seasons was.

Durant is returning to the hardwood after missing all of last season and will be under great pressure to win a championship with Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn.

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A year after joining forces in Houston with the belief they could win a championship together both Westbrook and Harden asked to be traded. Russell was dealt to the Wizards in exchange for John Wall and a draft pick.

Harden has acted somewhat truculently between missing practices and partying without a face mask and sharing that image on social media. He’s said to be targeting one of two destinations — with KD in Brooklyn or rejoining forces with former GM Daryl Morey in Philly playing for the 76ers.

Meanwhile, the Rockets want to either try to convince him to stay in Houston or ride out his trade request. The latter because Harden’s recent actions have given trade partners all the leverage.

In hindsight, imagine if the trio and the Thunder franchise had committed to sticking together. It would have required the triad to be more like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen or perhaps Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green of the modern era. The likely cost being Durant, Westbrook, and Harden agreeing to forego individual accolades for titles, banners, and rings.

Given their personalities, it’s hard to imagine that would’ve been the outcome especially since Durant proved that point by leaving Golden State for Brooklyn.

There is a moral to this story moving forward which is how Sam Presti can learn from this incredible experience and apply it to the next seven years. While it’s highly unlikely any franchise will ever draft three MVP players in consecutive drafts the precedent was set in OKC by Sam Presti. And, even more compelling – he’ll have more picks to replicate his success this time.

That factor should reinforce lightning can strike in precisely the same spot twice. If not, there is the potential for up to18 first-round picks over the next seven seasons. It puts the odds in favor of the Thunder connecting on numerous occasions given many of those picks will land in the lottery portion.  Couple that with Presti’s demonstrated prowess with ranking draft prospects and it sure does bode well for the future of the OKC Thunder.