The OKC Thunder made an improbable run in a season that seemed lost before it started. Let’s take a look at which free agents the Thunder should buy or sell
The Oklahoma City Thunder fizzled out in the playoffs at the end of a season that found them exceed most expectations.
The Thunder, led by 35-year-old Chris Paul, had a 0.2 percent chance to make the playoffs according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index to start the regular season.
The team finished fifth in the Western Conference with a 44-28 record — propelling themselves into the playoffs where they’d push the Houston Rockets to Game 7 in the first round.
Paul made sure ESPN heard about their prediction again once the team had clinched a playoff spot.
THEY said🤦🏾♂️....... #CantGiveUpNow pic.twitter.com/hSBhzGw37K
— Chris Paul (@CP3) August 18, 2020
The Thunder front office will now turn its attention to the future.
The transition to next season already started on Sept. 8 when the team agreed to mutually part ways with head coach Billy Donovan.
Donovan coached five seasons in Oklahoma City and finished with a record of 243-157.
Outside of the coaching search, the front office’s next move will be to decide the future of its personnel as several free agents could be brought back or allowed to leave.
Danilo Gallinari and Nerlens Noel were significant components in the formula that helped the Thunder exceed expectations in 2020 — but both could be gone next season.
Mike Muscala, Abdel Nader and Hamidou Diallo were all contributors to the cause and all could be allowed to leave in the offseason.
So who should stay and who should go?