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Oklahoma City Thunder: 2019-20 NBA season preview

By Jacob Kniffen

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - SEPTEMBER 30: Steven Adams #12, Dennis Schroder #17, Chris Paul #3, Head Coach Billy Donovan, Danilo Gallinari #8, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder pose for a portrait during media day on September 30, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - SEPTEMBER 30: Steven Adams #12, Dennis Schroder #17, Chris Paul #3, Head Coach Billy Donovan, Danilo Gallinari #8, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder pose for a portrait during media day on September 30, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Predictions

While the team is littered with quality young players and veterans the Western Conference is an absolute nightmare. Oklahoma City will likely make multiple trades during the season to cut costs, collect assets and open up playing time for their youth. That will inevitably result in fewer wins.

With so many other teams having realistic goals of making the postseason, the Thunder will likely be tenth or eleventh in the West by the end of the year.

Chris Paul will end the season as a member of the Thunder due to the team not being able to find a palatable trade during the season. Paul’s incredibly large contract for a player his age will likely deter teams from giving up any asset that Oklahoma City would be willing to trade for.

Paul will most likely find a new home during the summer of 2020, and it will likely happen due to him eventually lowering the guaranteed money on the final year of his deal.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will show consistent signs of why so many coaches and analysts around the league are so high on him. His length, offensive savvy, defensive capabilities and motor will allow him to continue progressing from his outstanding rookie campaign.

2019 NBA free agency tracker - grades for every deal so far. dark. Next

By the time April rolls around Gilgeous-Alexander will be seen as one of the best up-and-coming prospects in the league and begin garnering All-Star buzz for the 2020-21 season.

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