Cons

The results the Thunder has achieved with Chris Paul so far have been intriguing to see, but will it last beyond this season? The main factor that will directly impact Oklahoma City’s will be the upcoming free agency of Danilo Gallinari.

There is already a clear struggle for the Thunder to receive reliable perimeter shooting production from its spot-up threats. If Gallinari were to depart, they would be losing the team’s only reliable high-volume shooter outside of their three playmaking guards.

Let’s not forget, the landscape of free agency is underwhelming and there isn’t a legitimate Gallinari replacement option to pursue. They would need to get creative in the trade market to potentially stay afloat at a level that is already not a playoff lock next season.

Teams like the Rockets, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, and Pelicans are arguably more talented than the Thunder to begin with but are currently behind in the standings. Failing to retain Gallinari would surely put the Thunder behind those teams in the Western Conference outlook.