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With the vast improvement of this team, which seems to get better every week, i don't think its too far-fetched for the Thunder to make the playoffs in 2010. There are 9 teams in the West this year that have a chance at playing this post season. Of those 9 LA and San Antonio are gonna be the top 2 teams next year most likely. Denver and Utah will be playoff teams as well. Portland is the only team who is going to make the playoffs that actually looks like it will improve. New Orleans even though they are slipping (Peja getting old, Chandler could be traded) will make the playoffs due to Chris Paul. Houston will never live up to the billing they once had due to T-Mac being incapable of ever staying healthy. Dallas since trading for Kidd has only gone down hill, and Phoenix is in shambles. The Rockets, Mavs, and Suns all could miss the playoffs next year, leavin a spot or two for someone new to step in, like the OKC Thunder.

With so many possible situations, its hard to predict what this team will look like next year, but one thing is for sure the Thunder right now (basically the last two months) are playing 1000 times better than what their dismal record actually shows. Next year Durant will move up into that elite player status. His numbers from month to month improve vastly. The same goes for the other critical pieces to the puzzle in Westbrook and Green.

Lets say the Chandler trade falls through, and we don't get him. It still leaves us with a very formidable lineup. Heres what we probably know for sure next year

PG:
Westbrook is gonna start, and I don't see them drafting Ricky Rubio or any other PG with this pick, as the Thunder have too many other needs. Watson still has a year left and I don't see him being traded. PG is one of the more solid positions the Thunder have.

SG: The weakest spot on the team. Weaver last five games hes played more minutes than any other game, and really hasn't shown much. I'm not sure on what Presti's plans are for Mason, but lets say we don't resign him. Probably the best case scenario in my opinion is if the Thunder end up with James Harden. If he pans out, a Depth Chart at SG with Harden/Weaver looks really good on paper. If Harden falls somewhere else, i see us going after Mason, or at least getting another SG of = or better talent. Having Watson come in and have both him and Westbrook on the court at the same time works for me too.

SF: Kevin Durant. Gonna be a superstar. Doesn't really matter who his backup is. A lot of times Jeff Green can slide down and play the 3 when he is on the bench.

PF: This is where it gets interesting, as a lot of intangibles come into play. Lets say Chandler stays with new Orleans. If OKC takes Thabeet, the PF slot looks like it will be Green/Collison with Thabeet/Kristic at center. If OKC takes Monroe or Griffin, they may try to start one of those 2 at Center. They could also end up with Jordan Hill. Other option would to have either Green or Monroe/Griffin/Jordan Hill come off the bench.

C: There is a big if here. This may be a better idea to write this after the trade deadline, because the question of Tyson Chandler being on the team would clear up a lot of questions. Both Collison and Krstic are contracted for next year, and I dont see either being traded. Both could end up starting at C, or being the backup C or PF. If OKC ends up with Thabeet, he should eventually end up being the starter so at PF: Green/Collison, C: Thabeet/Krstic. If Chandler comes in, he will be the starter right away, and the Thunder would probably stray from taking Thabeet.

So in short, just some scenarios. I'm gonna guess if we don't end up with Chandler, we draft a big no matter what.

1) We get Chandler, Draft Harden (best imo)
PG: Westbrook/Watson
SG: Harden/Weaver
SF: Durant
PF: Green/Collison
C: Chandler/Krstic

On paper this give OKC its best chance at the playoffs.

2) We get Chandler, Draft Griffin
PG; Westbrook/Watson
SG: Mason(or other SG signed)/Weaver
SF: Durant
PF: Green/Griffin(probably interchangeable right away, Green could be traded for a SG or used as 6th man)
C: Chandler/(Collison or Krstic here, maybe one of them traded)

3) No Chandler, Draft Griffin
PG: Westbrook/Watson
SG: Mason (other)/ Weaver
SF: Durant
PF: Green/ Collison
C: Griffin /Krstic ( I could see Presti experimenting with Griffin playing the undersized Center role. Or it could be the above situation with Green/Griffin splitting minutes or Green being traded for a SG)

4) No Chandler, Draft Greg Monroe (or Jordan Hill)
PF: Green/Monroe
C: Collison/Krstic/ (Monroe, Collison, and Krstic are all interchangable here, except that I dont see Monroe starting next year, hes only gonna be 19 and he isn't quite as polished yet)

5) No Chanlder, Draft Thabeet
PF: Green/ Collison
C: Thabeet/Krstic

position wise it is the simplest scenario next to #1


Obviously there could be different ones, but for times sake these are 5 of the most likeliest ones i see happening. In each of them though, the Thunder look to improve. Guys that were starters for a good amount this season (Watson, Weaver, Collison) would now be coming off the bench due to better talent coming in. Not too mention that the development of WB,Green, and Durant should continue into next season, it really gives OKC fans a lot to look forward too. The next few days should be interesting, and I can't wait for the draft to see what kinda squad the THunder are going to put on the court next year.

Put a lot of time into that write-up huh?

Overall, I agree with where you're headed. One thing I would say is that, just because a few teams are going to drop off a bit, doesn't mean that we'll just slide right up there and take the slot. One, because it's not like a team with Dirk/Kidd/Howard or Yao or Shaq/Amare/Nash will just disappear. Obviously they could get blown up by a rebuilding project, but overall, a few of the "drop-off" type teams will still be fielding really solid squads. Also, we're not the only team waiting in the wings. I'm really excited about the Thunder, but most of the bottom of the West is also looking to want to make a move upward in the next couple of years as well.

That said, yes, we have a ton of promise, and if the pieces fall together correctly, we CAN be a playoff team next year.

Of all of the possibilities, I would say that the trade for Chandler, draft Harden one seems to work the best and also be the most realistic. Outside of that, I would like to see something like a draft Griffin/Thabeet and trade the lower picks and a couple of bench guys for a solid 2 guard.

The other possibility, that is crazy that it exists, is that we end up with a pick more around 6-8 and don't really come away with a guy that fits into our lineup (position or development-wise) right away. If that happens, then I think the biggest possibility for a quick playoff berth would be trades/signings of both a SG and a Center. Although, if we can away with just the perfect player at one of those 2 positions, we could get by with a role player at the other.

We'll see, and these next few days could be pretty telling. They could also be really silent, and keep us in suspense until the offseason too though!

wizkid27 wrote:Put a lot of time into that write-up huh?

Ha yeah. I didn't really plan on it, but my adderall had just kicked in, its a hell of a drug.

One thing with Chandler though, he would be quick fix right away at Center, but with his contract and what I predict to be declining production without Paul, he may set us back in the end.

In perfect world, we draft Griffin this year, put him at C and he turns out fine. Have another bad season, but more like the 7th or 8th worst record, get lucky in the lotto to get a higher pick and draft Xavier Henry.

Westbrook, Henry, Durant, Green, Griffin

Henry and Griffin both being hometown kids, they bring OKC their first real professional title of any kind within a few years. One can dream..... but not likely lol

key part there is... NOT LIKELY. haha

But like you said... gotta be able to dream!

Yeah, I'm torn on whether Chandler is appealing as a "quick fix" or if he's the long-term "right fit". He seems a bit in between. On one side, skill-set wise, he's perfect to fit next to Green and Durant, he also is still fairly young. On the other side, his injuries and relatively poor performance this season, have me thinking that we might just be chasing after the most convenient option and not the BEST option.

I think the possible question mark around Chandler and playing with Paul is a good one but Chandler had two seasons in Chicago where he pulled down 9 boards or better. However his offense was pretty nonexistent with 8 points one year 5.3 the next.

To me if he can get you 10pts and 10rebs with the D he plays I think the Thunder come out big winners.

To be honest I don't know a whole lot about the severity of his injuries this season?

Did he blow out an ankle? Has he had surgery? Or does he need surgery? Or are they just a string of strains and sprains?

But I said this in the other thread I think OKC makes the playoffs next year even if they add their draft pick and pick up a nice piece with all their cap space.

I think Kevin Durant will be a top 5 player in the league next season, plus both Green and Westbrook get another year older and wiser.

A lot can happen from here to June but if they play between .400 and .500 ball for the rest of the year, I think they build on that next season when Durant come back 20 pounds heavier.

Lastly say the Thunder do trade for Chandler and they manage to hang on to their 1st round pick this year do you take Thabeet if he is available? Chandler only has two years left on his contract.

By the way no chance in hell Griffin can play the 5 in the NBA. Maybe in spurts but not for any major minutes.

I'm not saying they won't but I really hope they don't take Thabeet if they have Chandler. If they invest in Chandler now I hope Presti has some intention in resigning him in 2 years, otherwise making the trade would be pretty pointless unless the Thunder's only goal is to make the playoffs once.

Lets say they land Chandler, and draft Thabeet. That means Collison or Krstic would be moved probably.

Griffin being from OKC seems more like a curse now than a blessing. If OKC does get the top spot, they have to take him. If he wasn't the odds of them trading down would be a lot more likely.