NBA News – Oklahoma City Thunder Team Roster for the 2016-2017 Season: Russell Westbrook to Lead the Pack; Here are the Additions
Thunder look to rebound from lost of several key players
Out of all the teams who have lost players in free agency this offseason the Oklahoma City Thunder seemed to have lost the most. Losing Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors is a devastating loss to the Thunder, and paired with trading long time interior player Serge Ibaka the team will not be the same.
The one good thing is that the Ibaka trade did get some new talent on the team, not a Kevin Durant caliber talent but starting talent none the less.
Russell Westbrook (Point Guard)
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Westbrook will have the daunting task of leading the team into the next season if he is not traded before the season starts. While winning without the possibility of having Durant might be difficult, Westbrook had done it before.
Westbrook carried the Thunder to the playoffs during the 2014 – 2015 season when Durant was down with injuries. However, now that Durant is not an option Westbrook will have to ascend his game to another level if he wants the team to succeed.
Victor Oladipo (Shooting Guard)
Oladipo is one of the players that the Thunder acquired in the Ibaka trade from Orlando. Oladipo will possibly replacing Andre Roberson at shooting guard.
Roberson started most games for the Thunder last year but was constantly benched for Dion Waiters as Waiters was a better scorer. Waiters has since left via free agency and Olapido seems to be a good scorer as well averaging 16.8 points per game last year.
Kyle Singler (Small Forward)
Honestly Kyle Singler is in no way Kevin Durant, nor will he ever be on the caliber of Kevin Durant. Singler brings a good defensive game to the team but the Thunder will need to find somewhere to replace the 28.3 points per game Durant was scoring at this position.
Singler may be the starter for now, but the Thunder need another big star on the team if they want to succeed.
Ersan Ilyasova (Power Forward)
Another player acquired in the Ibaka trade, this time Ilyasova will be taking the place of Ibaka on the starting lineup. While both players score roughly the same amount of points on average, Ibaka's inside presence makes for a lot of rebounds.
Because of the play of Ibaka the Thunder ranked first in total rebounds per game. It is unsure that they can repeat that feat again next season.
Steven Adams (Center)
Adams in one of the last remaining starters from last season's team, Adams is a solid player on both sides of the court and rarely makes mistakes.
Again to make up for the points lost with Durant leaving, Adams might see more plays called his way to shoot.
All in all the Thunder are going to need a lot of help to get back into the playoffs next season. This team might even look different before the season begins as rumors are flying that the team might even just trade off Westbrook.
