Oklahoma City Thunder: 2016-17 Season Outlook
Best-Case Scenario
Russell Westbrook proves to be everything OKC hoped for in a franchise player and more, leading the Thunder in a way we never go to see in the Kevin Durant era. Averaging a triple-double and leading his team to a top-four seed, Russ wins his first MVP Award and silences his many critics.
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Steven Adams emerges as one of the breakout candidates of the year, Sabonis earns some Rookie of the Year votes by holding his own in the starting lineup and Enes Kanter proves himself as a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Oladipo finally enjoys the breakout season we’ve been waiting for, shooting a respectable 36 percent from three-point range, bringing stifling perimeter defense to the table and expanding his all-around game to become a two-way nightmare for opponents.
The Thunder win 50 games, earn the fourth seed in the West, and advance to the second round of the playoffs before succumbing to Kevin Durant’s new team, the Golden State Warriors.
Worst-Case Scenario
Russ puts up huge numbers, but as was the case in 2014-15 when Durant missed 55 games, a Westbrook-led Thunder team once again misses the cut for a postseason berth.
Oladipo struggles with the increased pressure to produce on the offensive end, leaving the Thunder in a bit of a bind deciding what to do with his restricted free agency. Adams fails to take the next step forward coming off the most impressive postseason of his career, Payne struggles to stay healthy and OKC’s lack of three-point shooting makes life difficult for Westbrook and his penetration.
Sabonis struggles in his starting role, which in turn angers Enes Kanter as he continues to handle mop-up duty off the bench. Oklahoma City wins around 40 games and finishes ninth in the West, just outside the playoff picture.