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Ideal Additions To Thunder Roster

By kmartinez

Dec 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (right) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (right) and guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Although the NBA Playoffs are barely in its early stages, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offseason has already begun so it is not too early to start analyzing their upcoming free agency period.

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The Thunder roster is already considered to be championship ready, but one could never be too certain. It wouldn’t hurt to take a look at the club and entertain different options before entering the 2015-2016 season.

I believe what the Thunder miss most is reliable wing scoring off of their bench. It may seem like they have plenty of scoring on the perimeter with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the club, but when one of the two aren’t on the floor they don’t have anyone who can create their own shot.

The roles played by James Harden, and then Kevin Martin, are something the Thunder never really replaced.

Instead of finding another spark plug off the bench, they looked to youngsters like Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones III and Reggie Jackson to fill that void. Lamb and Jones have been too inconstant to rely on, and Jackson obviously wanted a larger role which is why he is now a starting guard for the Detroit Pistons.

Dion Waiters, who they picked up mid-season, averaged a solid 12.7 points as a member of the Thunder, but shot only 39-percent from the field. That isn’t going to get it done.

The problem is that the team doesn’t have much wiggle room. The team only has two restricted free agents in Enes Kanter and Kyle Singler. Singler didn’t do much for the team as he only played about 17 minutes per contest, so he’ll probably be let go. Deciding on what is done with Kanter is going to be tough. He played well as a member of the Thunder.

He gave them some much-needed low-post scoring which the team hasn’t had in the Durant/Westbrook era.

Just how much is the team willing to spend to keep Kanter? It is tough to find players in this league that can average 18.7 points and 11 rebounds a game, while shooting 56 percent from the field as Kanter did. It may be a small sample size, as he only played in 27 games for the Thunder, but he posted numbers like that in Utah whenever he had the opportunity.

The Thunder don’t have anyone to hold Kanter back like Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors did on the Jazz, so they can expect the same type of production from him moving forward, should they decide to keep him.

Apr 7, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs center Aron Baynes (16) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs center Aron Baynes (16) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Kanter is going to want to get paid. And deservedly so, but would the Thunder rather have that low post scoring threat, or someone who can create when the team’s stars are resting? I would say the scoring off the bench should be of more importance, because Kanter’s scoring isn’t needed as much in the starting unit. And bringing him off the bench wouldn’t make much sense either.

Let’s say the Thunder let Kanter walk because he is asking for too much. Bringing in someone affordable, but still useful is tough.

There are a couple of guys that will be out there this summer that can help the Thunder out. Danny Green, Rodney Stuckey and Gerald Green are all players that would fit the bill. Those players can easily do for the Thunder, what they do for their current team. Neither of them ask for too much playing time, but still produce when called upon.

As I mentioned earlier, the Thunder don’t need to make drastic changes in order to compete for a championship. They may be able to win one as constructed, if they decide to bring Kanter back. But if they don’t keep him, there are still other economic options that wouldn’t allow any major drop-offs for this championship contending team.

Next: Golden State Warriors: 5 Areas To Improve In Second Round

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