What's Wrong With The Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti had a plan once the 2016-2017 season came to a close. He realized that Russell Westbrook carried the team by himself last season. Westbrook has 41 triple-double last season and it even led them to the number six seed in the Western Conference with a 47-35 record.
So the Thunder acquired Paul George from the Indiana Pacers in the offseason for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Late in the summer, the Thunder acquired Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and the Chicago Bulls 2018 second-round pick.
The thing is after that trade went through, everyone was picking the Thunder to dethrone the Golden State Warriors out West and possibly win it all. Well, the Thunder are lucky the season doesn't end today. They are currently 10th in the Western Conference with an 8-12 record. They are 2.0 games back of the Utah Jazz (11-11) for the 8th spot in the west.
After beating the Warriors last Wednesday, the Thunder are currently on a three-game losing streak. So what has been the Thunder's problem to start the season?
They are ranked 22nd in the NBA in offensive efficiency with 102.7. The thing is they aren't bad defensively and they are giving up 100.2 points per game.
Russell Westbrook is the leader of this team. He's averaging 22.4 PPG 9.2 RPG and 9.5 APG. Westbrook averaged 31.6 PPG last season, but it is obviously down because he is trying to give Carmelo Anthony and Paul George more shots, but it doesn't seem like that's working.
Paul George is averaging 20.5 PPG 5.9 RPG and 3.1 APG. He is having a nice season. If the Thunder continue to struggle, is it possible they trade him at the deadline in order that they don't lose him for anything? George has a player option for next season, but it is very unlikely that he decides not to use it and it would make him an unrestricted free-agent. George would maybe go play with the Los Angeles Lakers if that was the case.
I think the one that should be traded although he wouldn't because he has another year left on his contract is Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is averaging 19.7 PPG 6.2 RPG and 1.6 APG. Anthony will refuse to come off the bench and he isn't a team player. He is all about himself. Why do you think the New York Knicks traded him and they are actually off to an 11-10 start this season. It isn't an accident folks.
Steven Adams is averaging 12.0 PPG and 8.1 RPG. The Thunder also don't have a deep bench either and it is hurting them. If head coach Billy Donovan doesn't figure this out sooner rather than later, he might be out of a job.