The duo’s departure signalled the end of the franchise’s first era in Oklahoma City, and general manager Sam Presti is believed to be open to more deals ahead of the trade deadline. With this in mind, Nick Crain of Forbes is reporting that the futures of Dennis Schroder, Steven Adams, and Chris Paul remain in doubt:
In case you didn’t know…
Since moving to Oklahoma City back in 2008, the Thunder have been among the NBA’s most competitive teams. The franchise has missed out on the playoffs just twice, while both Kevin Durant and Westbrook have won the MVP award during their tenure with the team.
However, Billy Donovan’s team has not won a playoff series since 2016, and Presti felt forced into a rebuild after Paul George revealed his desire to return to Los Angeles.
The heart of the matter
The trio of Paul, Adams, and Schroder are all signed to large multi-year deals, and all three are individuals that could contribute to a contending team.
At 34, Paul especially seems like an individual who does not fit in a potentially lengthy rebuild, and the Thunder will likely look to offload the veteran before the trade deadline.
What’s next?
Despite losing Jerami Grant, Westbrook, and George, the Thunder head into the 19-20 season with a relatively strong roster. However, immense competition in the West makes a playoff appearance difficult, and the Presti is likely to focus on obtaining further draft picks.
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