The main objective for the Oklahoma City Thunder coming into this offseason was to get Paul George to resign. What people didn’t know is how long he would sign if he did and he made it clear he’s here to stay signing a four-year max contract worth a reported $137 million. People thought that George would sign only for 2 years with the opt-out option but PG-13 let it be known this is where he wants to be. The Thunder also brought back Jerami Grant on a three-year, $27 million contract on the same night. Grant has shown a lot of growth since joining the Thunder via trade and the Thunder rewarded him for his growth/potential. Bringing PG and Grant back was huge for the Oklahoma City Thunder but they still needed more pieces if they want to stack up against the other teams in the stacked Western Conference.
The Thunder also signed Nerlens Noel to a two-year minimum deal. This will help the Thunder in the frontcourt as Noel is very versatile and can defend multiple positions while being able to run with Russ and PG. Noel only averaged 4.4 ppg, 5.6 rebs, 0.7 blocks but the Thunder taking this chance on Noel who has so much potential is a win-win for both parties. If Nerlens can show that glimpse of who he was in his rookie season with Philly then the Thunder will definitely be on to something. This was a great pickup as David Aldridge reported that Paul Goerge and Russell Westbrook reached out to Noel which is really good especially for the chemistry moving forward. The Thunder weren’t done yet as they were able to sign back Raymond Felton their backup point guard for 1-year for $2.4 million. Raymond came in behind Russell Westbrook last season and had some games where he even brought the team back in with his aggressive attacks to the paint and playmaking ability. Raymond’s a great fit for this team and that’s exactly why the Thunder brought him back in because he knows where PG and Westbrook like the ball and he can contribute and give that veteran presence. The Felton signing didn’t come as surprise to any Thunder fans because they loved him and wanted him back. Bringing Raymond Felton back can also help their rookie Devon Hall with some veteran leadership to piggyback off Westbrook teaches him.
Overall the Thunder bringing back the whole team makes it a great offseason and adding a piece like Nerlens Noel will definitely help the frontcourt big time. The Thunder still need to add a couple of more pieces to this team as far as spacing the floor and knock down shooters. Here is a list of the players that I believe can help the Thunder bolster their chances on making that title push in the 2018-2019 season.
1. Wayne Ellington (6″4 Shooting Guard) Unrestricted FA
Wayne Ellington can help this Oklahoma City Thunder second unit tremendously. Wayne brings that shooting that OKC needs to come off the bench. Ellington averaged 11.2 ppg for the Miami Heat last year and also played in 77 games which shows he has durability as well. Wayne Ellington is a sharpshooter and he even competed in the NBA 3 Point Contest in February. On the season he shot 39.2% from 3 point land and he’s someone that can play off of Raymond Felton in the second unit and even sprinkle him in the first unit with Westbrook and George if you need another shooter on the court. Wayne Ellington is a product of UNC and has that class act mentality and he’s someone that models the character of a Thunder player that the organization looks for when trying to acquire players. If Thunder can add him to the roster that would be huge because he helps with their scoring on the bench but it will also be in the MLE range that they need. Last year Wayne Ellington earned $6.2 million which is right in OKC’s ballpark right with the cap situation. I would love to see Wayne Ellington on the Thunder as they try to add to their roster to help that playoff push. The NBA has turned into space and pace I believe with Waynes shooting ability he can fill some voids coming off the bench.
2. Dwyane Wade (6″4 Shooting Guard) Unrestricted FA
D-Wade will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and he’s coming off a season where he averaged 12 ppg in only 22 minutes for the Heat off the bench. I think it really helps with the recruitment of Wade to OKC knowing that we have one of his best friends Carmelo Anthony on the roster and Paul George just finished talking to Wade about his huge free agency decision. Wade has championship pedigree and would bring a lot of excitement to the locker room and a lot of skills to that bench. The Thunder need someone that can come off the bench and be able to create their own shot so I say “WHY NOT”. D-Wade knows that he’s can be very effective off the bench and he’s still well respected among all NBA players. Wade brings experience and also a huge IQ to this team if added. The Thunder wouldn’t need to overuse Wade in the regular season they would need him more for when they make that playoff push. I think the fact that Russell Westbrook and Paul George have been reported to be on the phones and in contact with players is huge. I could see the Thunder giving that MLE to Wade and adding him to this roster for a run at the champs.
3. Michael Beasley (6″10 Small Forward/Power Forward) Unrestricted FA
Michael Beasley is one of the most consistent scorers in the NBA believe it or not. When he gets into a zone and he’s focused on the task at hand which is scoring he can get it done. He’s someone the Thunder can try to give the MLE to add to the roster and can knock down jumpers at a consistent rate. Ever since he’s come back from China he’s cleaned up his act and has matured which is a huge step that many NBA teams have noticed. Last season for the New York Knicks Beasley averaged 13.2 ppg on the season and led them most of the way with Porzingis hurt for the season. Beasley is someone that can come in and give you instant offense to help that bench and he’s someone that wants to be a champion. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and that’s okay because OKC needs more rough riders on the team that have grit and have worked hard to get to where they’re today. Just imagine having Beasley come in for that second unit and he’s in a scoring zone where he’s in heat check mode while Westbrook, PG, and Melo are getting rest. OKC just needs someone that can take that second unit and create while the Big 4 get rest and Beasley is a clear-cut option to be that 6th man while Grant is beside him defending the paint.
4. Jamal Crawford (6″5 Shooting Guard) Unrestricted FA
Mr. 6th man aka Jamal Crawford is available and he would be a huge addition to the Thunder bench. Jamal played for the Timberwolves last season and averaged 10.3 ppg in 20 minutes which is impressive. Just because he’s 38 years old doesn’t mean he can’t contribute to a contender like the Thunder. Raymond Felton would have someone else on the second unit that can help him create and get people involved. Jamal Crawford has a serious crossover that can lure his opponents to sleep and then he can hit that jumper right in your face. Crawford is what I would call a “Modern Day Microwave” because as soon as he comes in the game he knows his role and job to perfection. He comes in games and hits big shots and makes it a priority to get a lead or keep it close until the starters come back in the game. Crawford has a lot of experience and can help some of the players on the team from rookies to even PG and Westbrook with different ways of doing things because of his IQ and respect in the league. The Thunder second unit needs some wing players that can score and execute as players like Alex Abrines and Terrance Ferguson continue to develop their games. This would be a huge pickup and we can use the MLE to pick him up but it will be taking some recruiting as other teams have already reached out to Crawford.
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