Oklahoma City Thunder Commit To Vision With Recent Moves

Sep 23, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5), Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) pose for portraits during Oklahoma City Thunder media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Solidifying The Interior

Steven Adams is a 23-year-old big man who has already established himself as one of the better players at his position. He broke out during the 2016 NBA Playoffs, when he averaged 10.1 points and 9.5 rebounds, and anchored the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense.

Whether or not Adams was overpaid, the Thunder needed to lock him up—something they succeeded in doing.

Oklahoma City traded James Harden for the draft pick that it used to select Adams. Most importantly, the Thunder gave up a future superstar and only have one player remaining from the trade: Adams.

To let him go would be to essentially admit defeat, which would be senseless given the progress that Adams has already made.

As for those around him, the Thunder have one of the better offensive power forwards in the NBA in Enes Kanter. It also has a quality young player with long-term potential in Domantas Sabonis, whom the Oklahoma City acquired at the 2016 NBA Draft.

The Thunder now have three quality big men locked up for multiple seasons, thus enabling them to build the perimeter around it.