The story of the Oklahoma City Thunder is that of the greatest dynasty that never was. Never in the history of basketball has one franchise had a better collection talent that was not able to become a champion. After today’s trade news, it hurts just a little bit more than usual.
Embed from Getty ImagesHow It All Began
Oklahoma City’s twisted tale of underachievement actually started in Seattle. The first piece of what would soon be a contending team was drafted in the form of Kevin Durant. In the Summer of 2007, thanks to the Blazers’ ineptitude, the the team that would soon be the Thunder acquired the cornerstone to their franchise with the number 2 pick in the draft. In the years following they would add other pieces like guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Finally, they added a big man in Serege Ibaka and before long the Thunder found themselves in the NBA Finals.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat the Thunder Could Have Been
The Thunders’ stay at the top of the NBA’s Western Conference did not last long. By the end of the next season they began a downward decent. They failed to reach the finals. OKC would find themselves eliminated earlier and earlier in the playoffs. This would happen all while dealing with losing crucial piece after crucial piece. Harden was traded after they lost to Miami. By 2016, Ibaka was gone. And in 2017, Kevin Durant started his “next chapter” with Golden State. In just five years, the Thunder went from contender to losing an eventual MVP, a former MVP and a two-time Finals MVP, and an all-defensive first-teamer, as well as trade piece Victor Oladipo, who would soon be an All-Star in Indiana.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe End Of An Era
After the departure of Durant, the Thunder made a last ditch effort to save their franchise. They traded for Paul George. But that didn’t work either. OKC once again had early exits from the playoffs. To top it off, in July 2019 George was sent to the Clippers in a trade orchestrated by Kawhi Leonard. Now with Westbrook the only one left from their original core, the writing was on the wall. Westbrook voiced his displeasure with being by himself yet again. With that, the triple-double machine was sent packing. He was traded on Thursday to Houston for Chris Paul and a bevy of draft picks. Now, all there is left to do for Thunder fans is to scratch their heads and wonder aloud what might have been.
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