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Oklahoma City Thunder: Offseason Hinges On Kevin Durant

By Josh Cornelissen

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (left) talks to forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (left) talks to forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cameron Payne (22) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cameron Payne (22) in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Options For Improvement

With limited cap space this offseason, the Thunder do not have the same options for improvement as many of their fellow teams. Also without their first round draft pick from the Dion Waiters deal last season, and second round pick from the Randy Foye deal this season, the Thunder cannot look to the draft for help.

That being said, there are ways for this team to improve, both internally and externally. General manager Sam Presti has never put all of his chips into one season, and therefore this organization is set up to both sustain and grow their success.

Internally, the Thunder have a couple of young players who provided minimal contributions this season. Cameron Payne, last season’s lottery pick, rotated with D.J. Augustin and Randy Foye as the backup point guard this season.

With Augustin traded away and Foye a free agent, it is possible if not likely that Payne will be slotted in as Westbrook’s full-time backup. Payne showed flashes of creativity and athleticism this year that should only increase with another offseason under his belt.

Mitch McGary and Josh Huestis are also waiting to crack the rotation. McGary has a tremendous motor and is a great rebounder, with seemingly a perfect future as this team’s fourth big, the replacement for Nick Collison when the beloved power forward finally passes the torch. Huestis appeared in only five games this season, but has the physical skills to be a top-notch defender for the Thunder as a forward.

Externally, the Thunder have the rights to Spanish wing Alex Abrines, who at 22 may be prepared to come to the NBA. A fixture on Spain’s successful junior national teams, Abrines has starred on the best non-NBA team in the world, FC Barcelona.

This past season he was named the 2015-16 Euroleague Rising Star, an award that has often been an indicator of future NBA success. Past winners include Nikola Mirotic, Ricky Rubio and Danilo Gallinari.

Next: If Everything Goes Right

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