Oklahoma City Thunder: Complete 2017 offseason grades

Kenneth Teape

Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images

How did the Oklahoma City Thunder fare this summer? Here’s a breakdown of their complete 2017 offseason with some grades.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a difficult 2016-17. After losing Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors and trading Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic last offseason, the Thunder were undergoing a makeover.

Replacing players of that caliber is not easy to do. However, it is certainly easier when you already have a superstar in place like the Thunder have with Russell Westbrook. Westbrook showed just how great he can be as the focal point of a team, as he took home MVP honors by averaging a triple-double.

It was the first time a player averaged a triple-double in a full season since Oscar Robertson did it during the 1961-62 season. While watching Westbrook perform was awe-inspiring, it was clear the Thunder needed to upgrade the roster around him.

Whenever Westbrook was off the court, the Thunder struggled mightily. This was most evident during the playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Oklahoma City was ousted in five games, as the Thunder started their offseason earlier than they had hoped to.

Thunder Select Terrance Ferguson No. 21

The Thunder owned the 21st overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. With this pick, the Thunder selected “international” shooting guard/small forward, Terrence Ferguson. Ferguson has played for Team USA in international competition but was labeled an international prospect after passing on the chance to play at Arizona to play overseas.

Ferguson struggled while playing for Adelaide in Australia. He played in 30 games, starting 17 of them. Ferguson played 15.2 minutes per game, averaging only 4.6 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. He also struggled from the field, making only 38.1 percent of his shots and 31.3 percent from deep.

Despite the poor showing overseas, the Thunder took Ferguson because of the upside that he has. He was one of the better 3-and-D prospects in the class, standing 6’7″. Ferguson possessed a 6’9″ wingspan, making him a very good defender to go with excellent range on his jump shot.

There is some risk in taking Ferguson. He struggled overseas, which is cause for concern. However, he showed out well prior to that, making him a high upside, boom-or-bust prospect. It was a worthwhile gamble for the Thunder, especially since he will be able to develop and not be forced into playing time given the Thunder’s next move of the offseason.

Grade: B

Thunder trade for Paul George

Paul George trade rumors have swirled since February at the NBA Trade Deadline. A number of teams have been rumored as landing spots, such as the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder were never mentioned as a possible landing spot, yet that is where George ended up.

The Thunder acquired George from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. It was a deal that surprised plenty of people, including George himself. For the Thunder, no matter how you cut it, this was an outstanding deal.

When you acquire the best player in a deal, you are a winner. When it costs you as little as it cost the Thunder, it is even better. The Thunder got out of Oladipo’s over-sized contract, and Sabonis was underwhelming in his rookie season. Even if George leaves after this season, it was a win for the Thunder.

George gives the Thunder another go-to player alongside Westbrook. He can be the centerpiece of the offense whenever Westbrook needs a break, something Oladipo was unable to provide consistently last season.

With George in the fold, the Thunder are much improved on both ends of the court. This was a great move whether George signs long-term with the Thunder or leaves as a free agent next offseason.

Grade: A

Oklahoma City Thunder: Complete 2017 offseason grades — Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images

Signing Patrick Patterson

By being so far over the cap, the Thunder didn’t have much maneuverability in free agency. They were not going to be in the market for any of the big-name free agents, but they still managed to upgrade the roster by signing Patrick Patterson.

Patterson should slide right into the starting power forward spot that was vacated by Taj Gibson. Gibson wound up signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency, but Patterson is a great replacement. Not only did Patterson come cheaper, as Gibson signed a two-year, $28 million contract, but he is a better fit as well.

Patterson is the perfect stretch-4. Teams will not be able to double off of him or else he will make them pay from the perimeter. Patterson is also a good defender, giving the Thunder a very versatile frontcourt with George and Steven Adams flanking him.

Patrick Patterson is a perfect fit to start at 4.

66% of his shots from 3, 37% from 3, and 41% from the corners.

Solid defender

PERFECT
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) July 5, 2017

The only weakness Patterson has is rebounding, but the Thunder have above-average rebounders at multiple spots in their lineup, so they should more than make up for Patterson.

Patterson was a steal in free agency as the Thunder got him using their Mid-Level Exception. The contract is team friendly and he fits into their scheme perfectly. This was an excellent signing for the Thunder.

Grade: A

Re-signing Andre Roberson

Restricted free agency is something that could really derail a team. Yes, a team has the ability to match any offer sheet that players sign, but those offer sheets can sometimes be filled with detriments. The Thunder are lucky they avoided that, as they locked up restricted free agent Andre Roberson.

Roberson agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Thunder. Despite his obvious flaws, this is a great deal for the Thunder given what other wing players were receiving on the open market. Look at what other restricted free agents, such as Tyler Johnson, Allen Crabbe and Tim Hardaway Jr. signed for in recent offseasons; Roberson signed for less than half of what they did and he has one elite strength; his defense.

Roberson is an outstanding defender. Standing 6’7″, with a 7’0″ wingspan, Roberson is extremely versatile. He can defend virtually every position on the court, as he played power forward in his college days at Colorado. Combined with Paul George, the Thunder now have two above-average defenders on the wing to help slow down opponents’ perimeter play.

Roberson’s shortcomings offensively are well documented; teams basically leave him wide open because he can’t hurt them. He cannot shoot, which makes him a liability.

His defense alone makes him worth the $10 million he will make annually. If he can get close to even league-average as a 3-point shooter, the Thunder will have a huge steal on their hands.

Grade: A-

Signing Raymond Felton

When you have a superstar like the Thunder have in Russell Westbrook, you rely heavily on him to carry the load. However, even the greatest players in the NBA need a break once in awhile. Westbrook is no different, and now the Thunder have a capable backup for him in Raymond Felton.

Felton has been the punchline in plenty of jokes in recent years, but still always finds himself a job. He is a serviceable veteran and someone the Thunder will be happy to have on their roster.

Last season, the Thunder had no confidence in anyone behind Westbrook. Cameron Payne never panned out and was traded to the Chicago Bulls. Semaj Christon was not someone they trusted to use in the postseason. That will not be the case with Felton.

Felton has 36 games of playoff experience with 21 starts. He has performed relatively well in the postseason and should provide a steady hand for the Thunder off their bench throughout the regular season.

That steady hand is what is important for the Thunder. Felton isn’t as good as Westbrook is, but the drop-off when Westbrook comes off the court shouldn’t be as drastic this season with Felton in the rotation.

While Felton will only be a backup, his addition is an important one. The Thunder really struggled when Westbrook was off the court last season; that should not happen as often this season.

Grade: A

Re-signing Nick Collison

For an NBA team to have success, there are some things that they need. A superstar is good, and role players that fit around them are important as well. Veterans at the end of the bench also play a key part, and the Thunder filled that void with Nick Collison.

Collison has played his entire 13-year career with the organization, as he was the No. 12 selection in the 2004 NBA Draft when the team was still the Seattle SuperSonics. This re-signing was more about keeping a great locker room presence around than for on-court performance.

Collison has seen his playing time decrease for six straight seasons; it would not be surprising if that number reached seven this season. We have seen teams keep veterans like Collison around for the impact they have on the younger players off the court and in practice, teaching these players how to be NBA players. For example, look at Udonis Haslem with the Miami Heat; he fills the same role Collison does.

While this signing won’t improve the Thunder on the court, it will help them. Collison is basically an extension of the coaching staff, and there is nothing wrong with that. He won’t receive much playing time, but will still have an important role with the team. Since it is only a minimum contract, this deal was a worthwhile one.

Grade: B+

Overall

The NBA offseason is normally fast-paced and this year was no different. There was plenty of player movement with multiple teams improving, while some others took steps back. There is no denying that the Thunder were one of those teams to improve this offseason.

Oklahoma City suffered a big blow last offseason when Kevin Durant left as a free agent. That is not easy to overcome, but they have done a wonderful job restocking the roster and putting together another contending team.

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Pairing Russell Westbrook with Paul George was a move no one saw coming, but it’s a solid fit. Having those two puts the Thunder in the upper echelon of a loaded Western Conference. George was the biggest addition this offseason, and every move after that helped fill out the roster and upgrade the second unit.

Patrick Patterson should fit seamlessly into the starting lineup as a stretch-4. With George in the fold, Billy Donovan now has a lot of flexibility with his lineup. He can start Roberson to take the defensive pressure off his two superstars, or stagger his minutes with George so he has a good wing defender on both groups.

This year’s Thunder team is much deeper than others in recent years. They did very well this offseason to improve the team despite not having much money to spend. Sam Presti and the Thunder management should be very happy with how things turned out this offseason.

With the current roster, the Thunder have an excellent chance of earning home-court advantage in the first round or two of the playoffs.

Next: 2017 NBA Free Agency Tracker: Complete Grades For Every Deal

Final Grade: A

Kenneth Teape

Kenneth Teape is a graduate of SUNY Old Westbury with a degree in Media Communications with a focus in print journalism. He is an avid New York sports fan with the Knicks and Giants being his favorite teams, as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is currently a co-expert at Lake Show Life and a contributor at HoopsHabit.