5 biggest questions for Paul George and the Thunder

4. How far can Paul George + Russell Westbrook take the Thunder?

The Thunder won 47 games this past season in a loaded Western Conference but got bounced out of the first round in five games. Russell Westbrook didn’t have any help surrounding him, and Sam Presti made it a point to address that in free agency.

Oklahoma City was held down by the salary cap due to some bad contracts (like Victor Oladipo’s) and might not have had the ability to add star talent via free agency. So what does Presti do? Go out and trade for Paul George.

How far can this new tandem take the Thunder? I think it’s a great combination and could be like the Westbrook-Kevin Durant pairing that the Thunder had until this season. George isn’t as good as Durant, but they both play the same way. They’re fantastic offensive players and can also guard the top player on the opposing team.

This probably means that the Thunder will become a top-four team in the Western Conference, right behind Houston, Golden State and San Antonio. I think they’ll have home court in the first round of the playoffs and even win against a weaker opponent. I don’t think they have the bench or firepower to beat the other top three teams in the West.