NBA Free Agency 2018: Most impactful signings of the summer
6. Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
It’s a simple question, really: is there a world in which a Thunder team built around their current core of Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Steven Adams can nudge their way onto the big kid’s table before Russ and PG13 age out of their primes?
In theory, the answer is yes. Russ, love him or hate him, is an MVP-caliber force of nature. Paul George, even in a down year, still (barely) nudged his way onto the All-NBA Third Team. Steven Adams is not yet 25 and may have another level to reach. As far as three man cores go, despite the results of last season’s playoffs, there’s an argument to be made for them over anyone outside of the Bay Area.
Therein lies the problem. As long as Kevin Durant decides to stick around (we’ll get to him in a bit), the Thunder’s best won’t be good enough barring a major injury to one of Golden State’s main cogs. Even then, nothing would be guaranteed.
Should KD move on in a year or two, OKC would theoretically be as well-positioned as anyone to step into the void, Houston included.
Still, that would require Russell Westbrook finally adjusting his game and eliminating those half dozen terrible shots he takes on a nightly basis, as Zach Lowe adeptly outlined after Oklahoma City was eliminated. If he does, then Paul George re-signing with the Thunder could wind up going down as the most important transaction on this list.
His being down here at six is a clear bet that it never happens.