Oklahoma City Thunder: 2016-17 Season Outlook

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Oct 13, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) points into the stand in game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Without question, the Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the NBA’s biggest losers this summer.

Though they got younger, locked in Russell Westbrook with a contract extension and swung a pretty nice trade for Serge Ibaka, the loss of Kevin Durant automatically removed them from the Western elite.

With KD out of the picture, the Thunder are entering a new era. They still have a franchise star in Westbrook, and with younger players on the rise like Steven Adams, Enes Kanter and the newly acquired Victor Oladipo, Billy Donovan‘s squad shouldn’t be overlooked, even if they’re not a real threat to win the title.

But as OKC turns itself over to Westbrook, what can be expected of the electrifying but simultaneously flawed superstar? And what can be expected of his supporting cast now that their names will be called more often?

With a new backcourt and plenty of questions to answer about how good this team will be without Durant, here’s a look at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2016-17 season preview and predictions.

2015-16 Vitals

55-27, 1st in Northwest Division, 3rd in Western Conference
110.2 PPG (2nd)/102.9 OPP PPG (15th)
113.1 Offensive Rating (2nd)/105.6 Defensive Rating (13th)

Team Leaders
Scoring: Kevin Durant, 28.2 PPG
Rebounding: Kevin Durant, 8.2 RPG
Assists: Russell Westbrook, 10.4 APG
Steals: Russell Westbrook, 2.0 SPG
Blocks: Serge Ibaka, 1.9 BPG

Honors
All-NBA First Team: Russell Westbrook
All-NBA Second Team: Kevin Durant

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Oklahoma City Thunder: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet | Oct 19, 2016

After losing Kevin Durant over the summer, what can be expected of Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder? Here’s their 2016-17 season preview.

2015-16 Vitals