Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 obstacles to contending in 2017-18

5. Improved 3-point shooting

The Oklahoma City Thunder were a team that relied heavily on Russell Westbrook in the 2016-17 season, partly because they sorely lacked 3-point shooters.

The Thunder ranked 30th in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage (32.7 percent), making an average of 8.4 3-pointers per game (26th in the NBA). Two of their best 3-point shooters from last season are gone in Doug McDermott and Victor Oladipo. McDermott is now a member of the New York Knicks and Oladipo is now a member of the Indiana Pacers.

Considering Paul George and Carmelo Anthony are both huge offseason upgrades, the dynamic is sure to change for the Thunder going forward. George shot 39.3 percent from 3-point range in 2016-17. Anthony shot 35.9 percent from 3-point land a season ago.

A passer like Russell Westbrook is sure to find George and Anthony in open space to make plays. They’ll need to find their long range consistency in a hurry though if they hope to contend in the West.