Northwest Division: 5 Burning Questions For The 2016-17 Season

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Sep 23, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5), Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) pose for portraits during Oklahoma City Thunder media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Which Wing Player Will Step Up on the Oklahoma City Thunder?

The Oklahoma City Thunder will take a major step down this season in the wake of Kevin Durant’s departure. They effectively replaced Durant with Alex Abrines, a European shooting guard with the upside of a rotation player at best.

That isn’t to say the Thunder are bereft of talent, as the team still employs a top-7 talent in Russell Westbrook. Steven Adams is a defensive force at center, and Enes Kanter is one of the league’s most talented scorers on the block. This isn’t a situation like when LeBron James left the Cavaliers barren in his wake and waiting on draft picks to restock.

The Thunder were already thin on the wing, however, and Durant’s departure wipes out their only elite contributor. At this point, even the loss of Dion Waiters hurts, as he was at the very least worthy of a spot in the rotation.

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Victor Oladipo will face the brunt of the load in replacing Durant’s place on the wing. Another former second overall pick, Oladipo has balanced flashes of skill on both ends of the court with extended stretches of mediocre play.

There is certainly hope that in a new environment, playing alongside the best driving point guard in the league, that Oladipo finds his niche and flourishes. It’s also possible he flatlines as a decent starter, with an average shot and middling defense.

The rest of the rotation features players with severe limitations, starting with probably starter Andre Roberson. In the playoffs Roberson ignited with a bouncy off-ball game, cutting to the rim and slipping through screens to crash the offensive glass. But without elite shooting at any of the other starting positions, Roberson’s outside struggles will strangle the spacing.

The aforementioned Abrines comes into the league with potential, but early returns have been inconsistent. He doesn’t have any one strength that can carry him into a long career; that will have to develop later. Anthony Morrow is a niche shooter who contributes little else, and Josh Huestis hasn’t earned the right to a regular season court.

The wild card could be Kyle Singler, acquired in the deal that sent Reggie Jackson to Detroit. Singler put up solid numbers his last season-and-a-half on the Pistons, showing himself to be a valuable rotation piece. Upon joining the Thunder his numbers and effectiveness have plummeted, and he was excised from the rotation in last season’s playoffs.

Whether it’s Singler, Roberson, or Abrines the Thunder need to find a consistent starter at the 3, especially with power forward uncertain in the wake of Serge Ibaka being dealt away. Oklahoma City can rebound from the loss of Durant, but they will need someone to fill even half of the lanky forward’s shoes.