Perhaps more than any other team, the Oklahoma City Thunder will have a new look next season.
Kevin Durant is no longer in the fold, making this Russell Westbrook’s team. The team traded away another longtime starter in Serge Ibaka. Now, they have a core centered around Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, and Steven Adams.
The Thunder could be a very bad team next season. But they also have the Westbrook factor giving them potential. Winning games will be important for the Thunder. Even after signing an extension with the team, a disappointing season could give Westbrook reason to ask for a trade next summer.
Westbrook will be out to prove himself as a leader and one of the best players in the league. The Thunder will be doing everything they can to convince him to stay long-term. In short, the Thunder will be must-see TV even without Durant.
Westbrook will have his first chance to go at Durant and the Warriors on November 3rd in Oakland. OKC will host KD for the first time on February 11th. Five of the team’s final seven games will be against teams who did not make the postseason last year, paving the way for a run into the postseason. Overall, the Thunder will have 30 games on national television.
The full Oklahoma City Thunder schedule can be found here.
