Hoops Habit
Fansided

OKC Thunder: Exciting starting lineup possibilities for 2019-2020

By Albert Dadson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- OCTOBER 10: Darius Bazley #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder smiles during the game against the New Zealand Breakers during the preseason on October 10, 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- OCTOBER 10: Darius Bazley #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder smiles during the game against the New Zealand Breakers during the preseason on October 10, 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With the loss of Russell Westbrook and Paul George, the OKC Thunder are now contemplating new starting lineup options. There are several possibilities.

The Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t the same anymore with Russell Westbrook gone. They probably never will be because that’s how much of an impact Westbrook had on the team.

With the top two players from last year gone in Westbrook and Paul George, that has opened up spots in the starting lineup. Yes, Chris Paul has taken Westbrook’s spot, but who will be running alongside him in the backcourt?

In OKC’s first preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks, the Thunder went with three point guards in Paul, Dennis Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In the game Thursday against the New Zealand Breakers the, Thunder went with three guards again in Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander and Terrance Ferguson.

In the game against the Breakers head coach Billy Donovan started rookie swingman Darius Bazely. Here’s what the starting could be on day one:

PG: Chris Paul

SG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

SF: Darius Bazley

PF: Danilo Gallinari

C: Steven Adams

This lineup has size at every position and the potential to be quite potent at the offensive end. Also, rookie first-round pick Darius Bazley gets to start and learn the ropes of the NBA early on in his career. What was not a good pick on draft day has turned into a great pick because of the George departure.

https://twitter.com/ScoopB/status/1178780620962586624

George leaving has left a hole at the starting three-spot that will take a while to get filled. The Thunder will be starting fresh with Bazley. Donovan is looking at three point guards because of the lack of depth at the three-position.

The starting lineup of Paul, Schroder and Gilgeous-Alexander may not be ideal to be the de facto starting lineup because they would be undersized and overmatched against the likes of Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James in the Western Conference.

If Chris Paul is traded during the season when the Thunder see that they are not in good position then the starting lineup should look like this:

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

SG: Terrance Ferguson

SF: Darius Bazley

PF: Danilo Gallinari

C: Steven Adams

This starting lineup has youth to start the rebuild and it gives the Thunder’s last two first-round picks in Ferguson and Bazley the ability to have a chance to grow. Shai Gilgeou-Alexander gets to start at point guard and begin his ascension into stardom.

At this point, the Thunder will be focused on how they can position themselves in the draft and developing young players on the team. Gallinari may not be on the team for the whole season given his expiring contract. A contender may need the defense of Andre Roberson also so he may not be on the team for the whole season.

Next. Predicting each team's 2019-20 record. dark

Given the unkown status of so many of their top players, this Thunder team most likely will look different at the end of the season. They will have to focus on the development of their younger players and try to get this team into a position to compete for a championship in the upcoming years.

Home/Oklahoma City Thunder