The Oklahoma City Thunder just got knocked out of the first round of the playoffs for the third straight time right now, and it just looks like this team needs to blow it all up and start over right now.
But, given their cap space situation, that seems quite unlikely, so they’re pretty much stuck with Russell Westbrook and Paul George. That being said, Sam Presti needs to make the most of that roster and find guys that actually fit next to them.
Westbrook is one of the worst shooters in the world, and he’s totally exposed in the playoffs due to the Thunder’s lack of shooting around him. The Thunder don’t have much cap space on their hands right now, so they’re unlikely to make any big name signing. However, any of those 5 shooters could really help them:
Isaiah Thomas
Isaiah Thomas is very similar to Russell Westbrook in a couple of ways. They’re both underdogs that feel like they have something to prove, and their overconfidence winds up being their own worst enemy.
Still, I refuse to think Thomas is as washed as everybody else thinks he is. They need a guy that can score in bunches of the bench so they can’t stop playing Raymond Felton so much, and by all means, he can’t do worse than Felton.
Nikola Mirotic
Nikola Mirotic was having a hell of a year with the New Orleans Pelicans before injuries took a toll on him. Still, he proved that he’s the kind of stretch-four that could really help any Championship contender.
Mirotic’s defense has slightly improved, and he was never an unselfish player as a playmaker. He’s a great pull-up shooter and could really help this team stretch the floor, especially in small-ball lineups.
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza still has a lot left on the tank, and, unless they can turn Andre Roberson on a legit threat from the three-point line in the blink of an eye, they need a player like Trevor Ariza if they want to compete.
Ariza is no longer as fast and strong as he used to be, but his length and brains make him one of the best 3-and-D players in the league. He wants another ring, you need a shooter. Get it done, Presti.
JJ Redick
JJ Redick may be a huge liability in the defensive end, but he’s one of the best three-point shooters of the decade and he may be out of the Sixers if they strike out on Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler.
Redick is the kind of plug guy that could fit on any offense in the world, and his presence would really help open up driving lanes for Westbrook, especially in the playoffs. Yet, they need to find a way to hide him on defense.
Wesley Matthews
Wesley Matthews was a stud for the Indiana Pacers since they acquired him midseason, proving that he’s still one of the prime backcourt defenders and three-point specialists in the league.
Matthews would love to have the chance to play for a contender and, while the Pacers are likely going to try and keep him for a couple of more years, he’d have a bigger shot at the ring by joining Paul George and Westbrook.
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