NBA: Biggest X-factor for all 30 teams in the 2019-20 season

Oklahoma City Thunder: Chris Paul

The Oklahoma City Thunder may have hit the reset button on their previous core, but that hasn’t left the roster barren of talent.

Aside from an incredible haul of draft picks, Sam Presti managed to get back players that could keep OKC in the playoff hunt, a goal that will largely rest on the shoulders of Chris Paul.

It’s been a rough year for CP3, who’s essentially had his name dragged through the mud following another injury-plagued campaign.

His contract was harped on consistently amidst a flurry of rumors regarding his relationship with James Harden, but there may be hope for the future Hall of Famer on his newest team.

Starting alongside Harden took the ball out of Paul’s hands. Now with the Thunder, he’ll have complete control of the offense in a role he’s grown all to familiar with over the years.

CP3 put up a career-low in points per game as well as his third-worst mark in assists last year, but that was a product of being forced to witness Harden’s nightly dribbling exhibition.

Paul played 727 minutes without his backcourt mate last year. In that time, he averaged 22.5 points, 12.5 assists and 5.4 rebounds per 36 minutes. Few scenarios have that production playing out over a full 82-game season.

More than anything, they’re meant to show the point god can still contribute when allowed to play his style.

Given his inability to play over 61 games over the last three seasons, Paul’s on-court contributions will be minimized if he isn’t able to suit up. That will come down to Billy Donovan‘s ability to strategically preserve his point guard throughout the regular season.

As successful a team as they were, Paul wasn’t able to be himself in Houston, especially not this past year. His best days may be behind him, but a revival of sorts could have the Thunder surprise people with their win-total in the coming year.