Oklahoma City Thunder: Offseason Hinges On Kevin Durant

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May 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) congratulates forward Kevin Durant (35) for being fouled during the second quarter in game one of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

If Everything Goes Right

The first step to a successful plan for the Oklahoma City Thunder is Kevin Durant staying in town. Although his most likely course of action is the “1+1” contract, Durant could opt for the security of a five-year deal signed this summer, which would double as a statement of trust in the organization and in Russell Westbrook staying next summer.

The next step would be Dion Waiters re-signing at a reasonable amount. This could happen without Waiters speaking with other teams, but even if he did sign an offer sheet with another team the Thunder could match and bring him back. If Waiters truly is buying into the team concept that Billy Donovan and the Oklahoma City front office are instilling, then his athleticism and talent make him a great fit for the sixth man on this team.

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Third, Alex Abrines signs this summer for the midlevel salary slot that the Thunder have open, ready to make his name in the NBA and earn his way to a more lucrative contract after proving himself in the league.

Finally, Steven Adams and Andre Roberson sign for decent extensions before the October deadline. Adams takes a few million per year off of a true max contract, and Roberson matches exactly the contract Dion Waiters signed.

Over the course of next season, Cameron Payne blossoms into a talented playmaker with an improved jumpshot. Waiters commits to his role and excels on the defensive end, giving the Thunder three elite wing defenders other than Durant in Roberson, Waiters and Abrines. Mitch McGary steps in as the backup power forward as Nick Collison becomes the veteran glue guy who rarely plays.

Kevin Durant wins the MVP award and is joined by Russell Westbrook as First Team All-NBA selections. Steven Adams finds himself on the Third Team, as well as First Team center on the All-Defense squad and runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. Waiters is likewise the runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year.

Golden State and San Antonio both experience reasonable regressions to the mean next season, and the Thunder are able to secure the top overall seed with a 64-win season. Armed with home court advantage, they take down Minnesota and Los Angeles in the first two rounds before winning a Game 7 on their court to down the Golden State Warriors in a Western Conference Finals rematch.

They win the NBA title in Game 7 over a Cleveland Cavaliers squad containing Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony alongside LeBron James.

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Fresh off their title win, the Thunder re-sign Westbrook and Ibaka. Enes Kanter’s contract, signed when the cap was $70 million instead of $110, is valuable enough to be moved with ease, keeping the Thunder just under the luxury tax line. The Thunder run alongside the Golden State Warriors as championship favorites for years to come.

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