Oklahoma City Thunder: Preseason awards for 2019-20

The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to make the playoffs in 2019-20, but with a completely new team that should be a tall task. Here are the players that will set the season on fire for the team.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a team that could make it to the playoffs, but they also might not. With Chris Paul still on the Thunder, a season that was thought to be a rebuild has turned into a season that could end with a playoff series loss.

The team still has role players that could help them get the wins that they need to make it to the playoffs. Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were players that came to the team via trade the Paul George trade.

Combined with other players, they could be what separates them from a playoff berth or not sniffing the playoffs this season.

This team is not in a rebuild this season and they have some players that will be talked about in the media. Here are the preseason awards for the team.

High Flyer of the Year: Hamidou Diallo

Hamidou Diallo was the winner of the Slam Dunk Contest last year and with all the trades he should be in a more consistent role. With added minutes we may see what we saw in the dunk contest all season next year.

Diallo showed glimpses of his talent last year but this season he should have more playing time. That means more chances to make SportsCenter Top 10 with his highflying ability.

He will not be able to dunk over Shaquille O’Neal in a game but he should still have some crazy dunks in store for this season.

Sharpshooter of the Year: Danilo Gallinari

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a problem last season. They couldn’t shoot the 3. In the Paul George trade, OKC made sure to get Danilo Gallinari, a sure-fire sharpshooter. Last season he shot 43.3 percent from the 3-point line. The Thunder will be better from 3.

He doesn’t shoot off the dribble very well (84.5 percent of his 3s were assisted), but that’s why the Thunder have Chris Paul. Paul will be able to find Gallinari for 3.

Sixth Man of the Year: Dennis Schroder

Dennis Schroder was the Oklahoma City Thunder’s sixth man last season and he should be this season. When Paul goes on the bench the Thunder will need depth and somebody to score while he’s on the bench.

Schroder averaged 15.5 points per game last year and he should be a good option off the bench.

Comeback Player of the Year: Andre Roberson

Andre Roberson missed all of the 2018-19 season with a ruptured left patellar tendon that he suffered against the Detroit Pistons on Jan 27, 2018.

He should be able to come back this season and if he does what he usually does on defense he should be the comeback player of the year for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team will need his ability to lock down the best perimeter player this season. Roberson is a valuable player for OKC.

Rising Star Award: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a great season last year for his rookie year and it will be tough for him to follow that up after getting traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has shown the ability to adapt fast after being in the college ranks for one season going right to the NBA.

Immediately out of college, he was able to be successful and that is not easy to do. He should be able to handle this adversity also.

Most Improved Player: Hamidou Diallo

Diallo had a good Summer League where he showed the ability to lead a team. He led the summer league team in scoring. This season in a heightened role he should be able to display his talents greatly.

He can score off the dribble and has a quick first step that is finished with explosion. He should be a great player in the NBA for years to come.

MVP: Chris Paul

There is one reason that this team went from a rebuilding team to a possible playoff team and that is Chris Paul. Paul has been a consistent All-Star and one of the best players in the league ever since he came out of Wake Forest.

He will find players like Steven Adams and Danilo Gallinari and that will help the flow of the offense in the halfcourt. Adams and Paul should figure out the pick-and-roll game fast and Gallinari should a prime suspect for catch and shoot 3s.

With Chris Paul on the team, there is still hope for Oklahoma City Thunder fans.