Getting knocked out of the first round of the NBA Playoffs three years in a row — back-to-back seasons in Paul George’s case — is not something the Oklahoma City Thunder exactly planned for. And Thunder fans weren’t the only ones impacted by the letdown. It took a toll on Oklahoma City’s players.
Multiple reports indicate Russell Westbrook was rethinking his future with the Thunder after the team was knocked out of the 2019 Playoffs. Obviously, George requested a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, leading to the trade which sent Westbrook to Houston.
But what if they hadn’t lost in the first round again? What if the team took the step forward it was expected to? In his appearance on ESPN’s “The Woj Pod,” Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum said the Thunder’s duo likely would have stayed together.
You look at the Oklahoma City Thunder. What happens if they beat us? What happens if they get to the Western Conference Finals? Russ and PG probably stay together, Kawhi (Leonard) probably stays in Toronto. It’s like a domino effect, a lot of things happen to where you never know. You never know. You never know what could happen, honestly.
One thing is for sure, if George and Westbrook stuck around, the Thunder would’ve had one of the best twosomes in an NBA that’s quickly transitioned from Big Three-centric to dynamic duo-heavy.
