The Oklahoma City Thunder are spiraling after Kevin Durant‘s decision to accept the Golden State Warrior’s offer. Now does the Thunder restock, or trade Russell Westbrook and rebuild?
The Oklahoma City Thunder had plenty of time to contemplate contingencies. They are a well-run organization, a team fed by the NBA draft and with two of the magic three stars on board in small forward Kevin Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook. They were oh so close in the 2016 NBA playoffs, and seemed to need just one more elite player to get over the hump to an NBA Championship.
But floating to that height requires timing, because the lure of money and other team’s offers pulls the best players elsewhere. And so, Kevin Durant was lured away to the competition, the Golden State Warriors.
Kevin Durant joins Golden State Warriors and breaks Thunder hearts https://t.co/RxnsKsrQEa via @guardian_sport
— The Guardian (@guardian) July 4, 2016
While mildly surprising, it was a possibility which everyone saw coming. But when it happened, it made the NBA pause a moment.
Next: Setback