Oklahoma City Thunder: 2017-18 NBA season preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder have shockingly put together the league’s next super-team. How will they form an identity and compete in the 2017-18 NBA season?

The Oklahoma CIty Thunder have destroyed the notion that NBA teams were going to sit tight and wait out the storm that was the Golden State Warriors’ reign on the NBA. In fact, the Thunder have been at the forefront of a number of teams loading up instead of sitting out.

With Russell Westbrook one year from free agency, the Thunder went all-in. Big trades for stars in Paul George and Carmelo Anthony have transformed the team from “Westbrook and the guys” to the league’s latest “Big Three” in an attempt to push Golden State.

No rearranging of roster spots, even one so bold as what general manager Sam Presti has pulled off in Oklahoma City, will elevate a team above Golden State in preseason expectations. But in increasing this team’s ceiling, Presti has built a team that could beat the Warriors. That’s what matters in the league’s current climate.

With Westbrook signing a massive extension and Paul George making overtures of how he loves Oklahoma City, this could be the new look for the Thunder for years to come. How will these three stars jell this season? And does the rest of the roster have the strength to support this team and propel it to postseason success?

2016-17 Vitals

47-35, 2nd in Northwest Division, 6th in Western Conference
106.6 PPG (11th)/105.8 OPP PPG (16th)
108.9 Offensive Rating (16th)/108.1 Defensive Rating (10th)

Team Leaders

Scoring:  Russell Westbrook, 31.6 PPG
Rebounding:  Russell Westbrook, 10.7 RPG
Assists:  Russell Westbrook, 10.4 APG
Steals:  Russell Westbrook,1.6 SPG
Blocks:  Andre Roberson/Steven Adams, 1.0 BPG

Honors

All-Star:  Russell Westbrook
All-NBA First Team:  Russell Westbrook
Most Valuable Player: Russell Westbrook
NBA scoring leader: Russell Westbrook