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Oklahoma City Thunder: 2015-16 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet

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Oklahoma City Thunder
Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Predictions

While I don’t think Kevin Durant’s future with the team hinges solely on winning a Larry O’Brien trophy this season, I do think it’s imperative the Thunder have a healthy, successful year. If not, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he’s wearing a different uniform in 2016-17.

However, before we start predicting things that are still a whole season away, the Thunder have a good chance of being one of the NBA’s most improved teams in 2015-16. Westbrook is coming off his most confident season yet, Ibaka helped stymie the defensive bleeding in the few games he played with Kanter and a healthy Durant obviously makes OKC a contender.

A top-four seed isn’t out of the question here, even if Durant only plays 50-70 games. As bad as the Thunder’s defense was with Kanter last season, OKC still went 40-27 with a healthy Westbrook on the floor. Oklahoma City should be back in the playoffs this season, and if everyone stays healthy, the Thunder will be as likely to come out of the West as anyone.

However, with a foot injury of this nature, it’s hard to see Durant coming back to MVP form right away. With Westbrook trying to do too much and Kanter not trying to do enough on the defensive end, a second-round exit seems like the most likely outcome between this team’s ceiling and its floor in 2015-16.

Next: NBA: Complete Offseason Grades For All 30 Teams

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