The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to embark on a critical campaign. For the first time in several years, the franchise is expected to contend for an NBA championship not just next season but for several years.
With those expectations comes a load of pressure, something few can handle, and one of the association’s young teams. Are the Thunder ready to go to the mat with the league’s powerhouses? Or will next season be a brutal awakening?
Two case scenarios
Many teams have a ceiling and floor. However, for elite teams like the Thunder, even their floor is higher than the ceiling of at least 25 clubs in the league. With all the firepower Oklahoma City has, it has become virtually impossible to imagine anything short of a dynamic season.
In a recent article, Yahoo Sports’ Dan Devine created a preview for the Blue and Orange. Adding a pair of elite role players in Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder instantly upgraded their rotation and can offer several lineups that few teams can match. With that said, here is the “best-case scenario.”