Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: 20 things to watch this NBA season

By Bryan Toporek

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Jerami Grant #9 , Russell Westbrook #0 and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder walk to the sidelines late in the second half during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 96-91 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Jerami Grant #9 , Russell Westbrook #0 and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder walk to the sidelines late in the second half during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 96-91 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

11. The Thunder sans ‘Melo

As cruel as it may sound, it’s fair to wonder whether losing Anthony will be addition by subtraction for the Thunder.

Though OKC averaged 5.7 more points per 100 possessions with Anthony on the court last season compared to when he was on the bench, it also allowed 2.7 fewer points with him on the bench rather than on the floor. The Thunder had a net rating of plus-4.0 when Russell Westbrook played alongside Anthony, but in Westbrook’s minutes sans ‘Melo, they were a plus-11.8.

In Anthony’s place, OKC figures to trot out veteran Patrick Patterson as its starting 4 and rely more heavily upon Jerami Grant off its bench. As a low-usage, above-average 3-point shooter, Patterson may be a better fit alongside Westbrook and Paul George, while Grant’s defensive versatility will allow George to spare some energy on that side of the floor.

The five-man lineup of Anthony, Westbrook, George, Andre Roberson and Steven Adams did have a net rating of plus-14.1 last season, which suggests the Thunder may struggle at first without him. Then again, the four-man unit of Westbrook, George, Roberson and Adams had a net rating of plus-13.8 in nearly 600 minutes together last season, so swapping out Anthony for either Patterson or Grant may not be disastrous after all.

Westbrook underwent knee surgery earlier this month, according to ESPN.com’s Royce Young, which is a far greater concern for the Thunder than whether they’ll miss Anthony this season. But if Westbrook returns healthy and avoids any further setbacks, the lack of ‘Melo could help OKC rise to the level of a legitimate championship contender.