Predicting The Oklahoma City Thunder's 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Predicting The Thunder's 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Oklahoma City Thunder 2015-16 Season
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Now that most of free agency is over, it's time to focus on the new year. The Oklahoma City Thunder experienced many bumps in the road last year, but things are now looking like blue skies and clear paths all the way to the NBA Finals. If they can avoid injuries that is, this starting five should get them to where they want to go.

Center: Enes Kanter

Enes Kanter Oklahoma City Thunder
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Center: Enes Kanter

Enes Kanter Oklahoma City Thunder
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Debate has shown its ugly face on whether it was smart to sign Kanter to a huge contract, but look at all the upside before you scratch your head too much. Kanter didn't really start playing basketball until he was 13 years old. He's a very good scoring big-man down-low and is pretty easy to play with. That paint threat is huge for a team like OKC, but don't worry too much about what it means defensively. They still have Serge Ibaka.

Power Forward: Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka Oklahoma City Thunder
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Power Forward: Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka Oklahoma City Thunder
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Ibaka still provides that premier defender look in the paint even if he starts at the four spot, but don't look past his perimeter shooting. Every year he's become a better shooter, and the ability to spread the court with Russell Westbrook attacking is pretty much money in your pocket already. This could be the year Ibaka anchors that championship-type defense in OKC.

Small Forward: Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder
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Small Forward: Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder
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Kevin Durant is still trying to go through the rehab process, but multiple reports have indicated that he's far ahead of schedule. There's even a good chance he'll be ready for training camp. OKC will be cautious with the approach, but Durant should be ready for day one of the 2015-16 season. The former MVP still has to work out all the cobwebs, though.

Shooting Guard: Andre Roberson

Andre Roberson Oklahoma City Thunder
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Shooting Guard: Andre Roberson

Andre Roberson Oklahoma City Thunder
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I understand that Dion Waiters might be a good fit too, but he is talented enough to anchor the second team by himself. Plus, Roberson just makes more sense. His length, mixed in with his ability to get in the face of offensive players, should easily solidify his spot in the starting lineup. He's not so bad in the transition game either.

Point Guard: Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder
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Point Guard: Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder
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What's left to say about Westbrook? His competitiveness is one-of-a-kind, his ability to attack teeters on suicidal at times and his leadership is coming along rather nicely. The injury to Kevin Durant might've been a blessing in disguise after all. Both Westbrook and Durant should be primed to take over the West.

Samuel Martell is Oklahoma City’s beat writer at www.RantSports.com. To stay connected, ‘follow’ him on Twitter, ‘like’ him on Facebook, or ‘add’ him to your network on Google.

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